SUSTAINING THE FLOW

A newsletter for partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance

Happy holidays and welcome to the December 2023 edition of ARA's monthly partner newsletter! Our partner newsletter's purpose is to help us all sustain the flow & keep moving forward together in our respective work in Alabama. Open us up this month to read about upcoming events, comment opportunities, job postings, funding opportunities, and news from folks working to #DefendRivers across the state.

REGULATORY NEWS & COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Relevant environmental regulatory updates & opportunities to let agencies know how their decisions can impact your work.

STAY AGREEMENT REACHED IN ACF "WATER WARS" LAWSUIT

The State of Alabama, State of Georgia, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Water Supply Providers of Georgia have reached a stay agreement in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint "Water Wars" lawsuit. The agreement asks the USACE to establish minimum average water flows at gauges in Columbus, Georgia and Columbia, Alabama and minimum average lake elevation at Lake Seminole. Access the Stay Agreement here.

ARA will be providing more information once we have a chance to review the agreement and its implications. There will be future opportunities to comment after the USACE conducts and releases their environmental review of the decision. See what the governors and ARA have to say to Bama Buzz here.

GOOD TO KNOW: ADEM DIRECTOR's REPORT TO AEMC

Read a copy of ADEM Director LeFleur's most recent report to the Alabama Environmental Management Commission from December 8, 2023. The AEMC is charged with oversight of the Director, so he reports to them at each of their bi-monthly meetings. These reports give an indication of the Director's priorities and perspectives on specific areas of the agency's work that may be of interest to your organization or your community. Read the Director's Report here.

PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACROSS ALABAMA

Amplifying the voices of those working for change in Alabama by celebrating news, wins of all sizes, milestones, AND ways others could use support! Submit your news so we can celebrate you!

• Save the Date! Alabama Water Rally 2024 returns to Camp McDowell March 15-17, 2024! Stay tuned for more information about our sessions, keynotes, and more. Registration opens soon!
• Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and its unique biodiversity were featured in WBHM's Outdoor Connections series. Read more here, with quotes from Charles Yeager!
• Energy Alabama & Free2Teach are partnering to provide clean energy education kits to students in Madison County public and students across Alabama! Learn more about the project and donate here.
• Check out the Caregiver Road Trip: Remix Edition album & help support Shake the Field voter engagement programming. Hear some of the dopest Alabama voices on this amazing compilation to celebrate life, community, and democracy in this one-of-a-kind state - listen here!
• Congrats to Alabama Audubon for putting the finishing touches on their newly-renovated office space in Highland Park!
• International Environmental Education Weekend is January 26-28, 2024. Join the Environmental Education Association of Alabama and their events happening all over the state to celebrate, learn more here.
• Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program held their annual meeting in Hayneville to celebrate the year's accomplishments and discuss what's to come in 2024.
• Congratulations to the Alabama Coastal Foundation for celebrating 30 years of improving and protecting Alabama's coastal environment! Learn more about how they are celebrating 30 years here.
• Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund released a report on how well the States are doing with being accessible and transparent when allocating fund from the IIJA/BIL in their State Revolving Fund programs. Read more here.
• Have an influential book or listening recommendation you'd like to share with us? Please submit them to our newsletter to be mentioned in future editions here!

This newsletter is created by a small team with limited resources, please use reply to this email or click below to submit newsletter items from your organization! 

FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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