SUSTAINING THE FLOW

A newsletter for partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance

Welcome to the February 2024 edition of ARA's monthly partner newsletter! This newsletter's aim is to foster collaboration and keep moving forward together in our respective work in Alabama. Dive into this month's newsletter to discover updates on upcoming events, engage in comment opportunities, explore job postings, seize funding possibilities, and stay informed about the efforts of those dedicated 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.

SIGN ON OPPORTUNITY - COMMENT ON FY2023 STATE REVOLVING FUND PLANS

ADEM released five of seven Intended Use Plans (IUPs) for distributing fiscal year 2023 State Revolving Funds, through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). These funds, comprised of annual appropriations, the American Rescue Plan, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), support water infrastructure projects statewide. Drinking water systems, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management utilities apply for funding and are notified of their selection through these annual plans. Public comments are due Monday, March 4, 2024 at 5 pm. See the public notice for the IUPs here, and the IUP for lead service line funds here.

ARA, alongside other water advocates, is submitting comments because Alabama can -- and should -- do more with its State Revolving Funds to fund water infrastructure upgrades equitably and build a climate resilient Alabama. If interested in signing on your organization's support of ARA's comments, please review them here and submit the form to sign on by Friday, March 1, 2024!

NEW 303(d) LIST OF IMPAIRED WATERWAYS RELEASED

ADEM has released the Draft 2024 Section 303(d) List, or ADEM's list of waterways in Alabama that are considered impaired under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. Impaired waterways are defined as segments, portions, or whole waterbodies that do not currently support their designated uses by wildlife or humans. Written or email comments on the proposed 303(d) list are due by Friday, March 1. Review the public notice and new list here.

COMMENTS GOOD TO KNOW: ADEM DIRECTOR'S REPORT TO THE EMC

Read a copy of ADEM Director LeFleur's most recent report to the Alabama Environmental Management Commission from February 9, 2024. These reports at the bimonthly meetings give insight into ADEM's current priorities and perspectives on current events that may be of interest. 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!

• Last reminder (in this newsletter at least) to register for Alabama Water Rally 2024! Don't miss out on a great weekend at Camp McDowell on March 15-17. More info about the sessions and speakers available here. Full agenda and schedule coming this week!
• Joi Travis, chair of the Alabama Sierra Club, was highlighted by the national Sierra Club during Black History Month. Listen to her briefly speak about the importance of solving environmental injustices and her work here.
• Congratulations to Justinn Overton, Executive Director and Riverkeeper at Coosa Riverkeeper, for her well-deserved recognition by River Network for being named a River Hero of 2023! Read more about this honor and recognition here!
• Alabama Values is a 501c3 communications hub seeking to amplify progression voices and policies in Alabama. They provide weekly and daily updates from the legislative session and information about upcoming elections. Check out their LinkTree to learn more.
• Major props to Alabama Water Watch's Student Worker for scanning and digitizing over 30 years of data and over 100,000 records! What a huge task and accomplishment! See the data stacks & meet the AWWesome person responsible on Facebook here. 
• Following up on the announcement to recycle coal ash lying at Plant Barry near Mobile, there are still several unresolved questions. Read more from Barry Brock, the Alabama Office Director for the Southern Environmental Law Center here.
• We heard this year's Environmental Education Association of Alabama annual conference was a smash hit! Congrats on record-breaking attendance and we can't wait to follow y'all out to Camp McDowell soon for Water Rally! See Facebook photos here.
• The Montgomery Dragon Boat Festival is back for its 10th year! Proceeds to benefit River Region Trails Inc and their efforts to develop parks and greenways in the River Region. Register your team now or learn more here.
• The new Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve made a huge splash with their ribbon cutting ceremony at the beginning of February! Learn more about this new destination in St Clair County and see photos from the ribbon cutting 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! 

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