 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW A newsletter for organizational partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance Welcome to the February monthly newsletter from Alabama Rivers Alliance to our partner groups and organizations! This 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, training sessions, job postings and more news from folks working to #DefendRivers across the state. Click here to update your organization contact info or to sign others up! | | | |  | REGULATORY NEWS & COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES Relevant environmental regulatory updates & opportunities to agencies to let them know how their decision can impact your work. HARRIS HYDROPOWER - COMMENT PERIOD OPEN FOR NEW LICENSE APPLICATION! The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is preparing to begin its environmental analysis for the relicensing of Alabama Power's R. L. Harris Hydroelectric Project on the Tallapoosa River. The period for comments on APC's license application in the FERC proceeding ends on March 17. This new license could be active for up to 50 years once it is finalized, so now is the time to comment if you would like to see changes to the way the dam is operated, and especially if you live or recreate downstream and are affected by dam operations! The FERC docket number is P-2628-066. Review the announcement in the Federal Register here, see the application itself here, and go here on FERC's website to comment. Reach out to Jack if you have questions about commenting. The Alabama Rivers Alliance has commented on the relicensing studies and advocated for improved downstream flows, natural water temperatures, more public access points, updated safety and notification measures, and operational changes that can reduce water level fluctuation and better support aquatic life. ARA made a 2021 Southern Exposure Film, Heal the River, about hydropower relicensing and featured people who love the Tallapoosa River and want to see it better protected against hydropower's impacts. "The Tallapoosa River and those who love it have lost a long-time ambassador, friend, and voice for the river, Mr. George “Tommy” Traylor, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 88. Mr. Traylor loved and enjoyed the Tallapoosa River and remembered the river in its natural state before Harris Dam was constructed a few miles upstream of his family property in the early 1980’s." Read Jack's tribute remembering Tallapoosa River ambassador and protector, George "Tommy" Traylor here.
ADCNR REQUESTS PROPOSALS FOR COASTAL AREA PROJECTS The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), State Lands Division, Coastal Section is accepting proposals for projects to be completed in the Alabama Coastal Area (Mobile County & Baldwin County) for Fiscal Year 2024 (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024). ACAMP is accepting applications through this Request for Proposals for projects that protect, enhance, and improve the management of natural, cultural and historical coastal resources and that increase the sustainability, resiliency and preparedness of coastal communities. Deadline to apply is March 31 at 5pm, see details & submission requirements. | | | | | |  | AROUND THE ARA OFFICE -
We are truly inspired, after a few months of strategic planning and lots of in-depth conversation about the next few years of ARA's work, to begin working on a refresh of ARA's logo and public brand. We are eager to develop new sharable images and graphics that better tell the story of ARA and how we work alongside our partners and friends for our collective work to #DefendRivers across Alabama from the mountains to the State House to the Bay -- and all points in between! -
Cindy and Victoria visited the Auburn Rural Studio in Newbern, Alabama this February to discuss community outreach and solutions for wastewater challenges in the Black Belt. We are grateful to have been welcomed into the work that is already ongoing with the Consortium for Alabama Rural Water and Wastewater Management and other academic and community members across the Black Belt. -
Jack convened a legislative planning meeting with many partner groups earlier this month to prepare for this year's legislative session that starts March 7! It was an opportunity for us to learn more about partners' legislative priorities and get prepared for what may be heading our way with this session so we can all be more effective when working in the legislature. -
Martha has been so invigorated by all the newly-engaged community members throughout the state reaching out to ARA to explore how to start a new group to help protect their local creek, river or lake. With Alabama Water Rally right around the corner, this is a great way to get new folks engaged with our more "seasoned" partner organizations, hear from excellent speakers on a wide variety of topics that impact our waterways, and learn more about the ins and outs of organizing a new group. We hope to see all of you at Rally March 24-26 at Camp Beckwith in Fairhope! | | | | | |  | 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! Join us down at Camp Beckwith in Fairhope from March 24-26 for the 25th annual celebration of clean water and those who work to protect it in Alabama. Sneak a peek at the draft agenda & see what breakout sessions you might want to attend!
- Mobile Baykeeper announced a brand new coastal Alabama publication, CURRENTS! This magazine will be for stories about the waters of Coastal Alabama with Coastal Alabamians. Help them make this magazine a success by subscribing with a $50 donation! Learn more about CURRENTS & see Mobile Baykeeper's February newsletter.
- Cahaba River Society recently hosted their 2023 Annual Meeting where they gave an update on their programs and honored those who have done exception work on behalf of the Cahaba River. See photos of the awards ceremony on CRS's Facebook here.
- Alabama Water Watch has released a boatload of upcoming training opportunities for this spring. Check out the upcoming water monitoring training dates near you! Learn more.
- In case you haven't heard, meet your new best friend for following Alabama's legislative session -- The Alabama Channel! The Alabama Channel is a project of the League of Women Voters of Alabama Education Fund. It is a video resource library for Alabamians to view live, recorded and indexed footage of Alabama’s Legislative meetings. Click here to check it out.
- Congratulations to Justinn Overton, Executive Director and Staff Riverkeeper at Coosa Riverkeeper, for being recognized by AMD Creative's 2023 Women Making Waves Award! Read more about this recognition here.
- Got an idea for a Southern Exposure Film topic? Let Kelly & our future 2023 fellows know what topics you would like to see Southern Exposure take on this summer! Click here to take our survey. We can't wait to hear your thoughts!
- Cahaba Riverkeeper and GASP spoke at the most recent ADEM Environmental Management Commission concerning the Environmental Landfill Fire in Moody. Check out a recording of the meeting, skip to about 32 minutes to see the public participation portion of the meeting where comments were made.
- Wild Alabama is celebrating gifted land! The 7 acre property donation near the Bankhead National Forest will serve as the future outdoor classroom and training facility. Read more about the land donor, Rhonda Riley's story here.
This newsletter is created by a small team with limited resources, please use reply to this email or click below to email Victoria if you want submit newsletter items from your organization! | | | | | | | | FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES - Three BHM-based foundations have deadlines on March 1 (& again in Sept): Hugh Kaul, Susan Mott Webb, & Robert R. Meyer. Create an account or log in to Grant Interface to apply
- Groundwork's Organizer Grant Program is open now to accept local, grassroots organizers for unrestricted, multiyear support. Applications due 3/17/23
- The Tennessee River Basin Network has opened their 2023 Shade Your Stream Grant Cycle, awards typically between $5-10k. Apply by 4/11/23
| | | TRAINING & LEARNING - River Network has developed a training series to dive deeper into their recently published State Revolving Fund Advocacy Toolkit, learn more & apply by 3/10
- Prepare for the upcoming legislative session with Alabama Arise's virtual session on 3/6/23 at 6 pm, register
- Working with Bats & Forestry Workshop hosted by Alabama Forestry Association, 3/22/2023 at Tuscaloosa Co Extension Office, register
- Op-Ed & Letter to the Editor Training with State Voices and Lightbox Collaborative on 3/9/23 at noon, register
| | | | | | Alabama Rivers Alliance
2014 6th Avenue North, Suite 200 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203
205.322.6395 | info@alabamarivers.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
