SUSTAINING THE FLOW

 Spring is on the horizon, y'all! Welcome and thanks for subscribing to ARA's partner newsletter, featuring highlights from our 100+ partners and organizations around our network to help keep us collaborating, informed and engaged. Read through for comment opportunities, events, partner highlights, and updates from the ARA team; along with funding, training, and hiring opportunities.

See past editions of the newsletter here.

Dear Partners,

March brings with it warmer weather, more sunshine and best of all, Alabama Water Rally weekend! We are so excited to come together with many of you to celebrate all the hard work of the movement from the past year,, learn from our amazing speakers, rejuvenate our energy and share ideas for moving forward with continued focus on defending the health of our rivers, our communities and ourselves!

Unfortunately, last month Governor Ivey signed SB 71, the “unsound science” bill. This legislation was pushed very hard by the most powerful interests in the state in an election year, yet we made them have to work really hard for what they wanted. In the end,  political shenanigans  (typical in an election year) were what pushed this bill through to ultimately passing. You can see how your Representative and Senator voted here and here.

In better legislative news, the “Alabama Power Grab” legislation (HB 392) that would have removed your ability to elect Alabama’s Public Service Commissioners, who regulate utilities like Alabama Power and gas utilities, appears to be dead! Kudos to our partners at Energy Alabama for their diligent work in building a broad coalition of Alabamians who oppose this legislation. HB 181, a bill to stop the mud dumping in Mobile Bay, passed and was signed into law by the Governor. Great work by our partners at Mobile Baykeeper to get this one across the finish line! 

The collective work of our environmental movement partners in this session was stronger than ever and more effective than ever. We are building power, and while that takes more time than it often seems that we have in the face of our urgent challenges, it is so vitally important. And there is proof it is happening!

Continue reading this newsletter to see all the great things our Alliance partners are working on throughout the state, and please attend Alabama Water Rally if you can to celebrate and build strength with us! Registration closes this Monday, March 9, so register here today if you haven’t already!

Cindy Lowry

FEDERAL / REGULATORY / COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES

PUBLIC HEARING ON TYSON'S NDPES PERMIT RENEWAL

ADEM has proposed reissuing the permit for the Tyson Farms Blountsville Processing Plant to discharge to surface water from treated poultry process, wastewater, and stormwater (NDPES permit no. AL0001449). A public hearing will be hosted on March 26 at 6 pm, and the public comment period extended until March 27 at 5 pm. Black Warrior Riverkeeper has advice for suggesting improvements to this permit available here. ADEM's public notice available here.

UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL GENERAL PERMIT ISSUED

ADEM establishes general permits that apply to all industrial users within a given category. The proposed General Permit for Underground Injection Control (UIC) would authorize subsurface discharges of air, oxygen gas, and/or ozone gas for remediating soil and groundwater (NDPES permit no. ALIG01000). Public notice was issued on February 18 and given a 30 day comment deadline, so comments should be made by March 19, 2026. Read the proposed discharge guidelines and directions for commenting here.

REIUSSANCE OF HYDROPOWER GENERAL STORMWATER PERMIT

Additionally open for public comments is ADEM's proposed reissuance of their general permit for hydroelectric generating facilities to discharge stormwater and wastewater (NPDES permit no. ALG360000). Public notice was issued on February 6 and given a 30 day comment deadline, so comments should be filed by March 9, 2026. Read the proposed discharge guidelines and how to comment here. 

PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACROSS ALABAMA

Amplifying the voices of river defenders in Alabama by celebrating news, wins of all sizes, milestones and ways others could use support. Submit your news so we can share!

• Alabama Water Rally is almost here (and registration deadline is Monday)! Speaker bios and agenda details now available. Click here to learn more and register.
• The Birmingham City Council unanimously voted to approve a 180-day moratorium on all new data center developments within city limits. We hope this move will be inspirational for other communities facing data center development. Read local news coverage here. 
• Wild Alabama is asking for your support protecting Alabama's National Forests and engaging in a federal proposal to reduce public comments and objection periods for large-scale projects. If adopted, this would limit time for public engagement with projects often spanning thousands of acres. Comments are due March 9th to the Federal Register here.
• Southern Poverty Law Center, Alabama State Office, hosted "An Affordable Alabama Advocacy Day" at the Alabama State House. This gathering convened legislators, community leaders, and advocates to advance policies that improve affordability and economic mobility across Alabama. See news coverage here. 
• "Birmingham's Frontline Fighters," GASP was recognized by The Solutions Project during their Black Climate Week. Congratulations for the recognition and putting in hard work! Read more here including how emerging threats from data centers are shaping GASP's actions.
• Coosa Riverkeeper is concerned about potential threats to Weogufka and Hatchet Creeks from Westwater Resources' Coosa Graphite Project in Coosa County. The company has announced it's application to ADEM for an NDPES permit. Read more on Facebook and stay tuned for the draft permit release.
• WOW Freshwater Land Trust turns 30 this year! Congratulations, and stay tuned for more about how they'll celebrate this occasion!
• Safer States announced its 2026 Analysis of State Policy Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Plastics. This insightful report found 33 states are currently considering policies around chemicals and plastics and gathers examples of what these policies can look like. Read more here, but small spoiler, Alabama is not one of several Southern states expected to take action this year. 
• Huntsville Environmental Coalition is working closely with the city on sustainability issues and starting their own EAT program encouraging local restaurants to be more sustainable. They just finished their strategic planning and setting up squads to work on their 3 main initiatives. Read more here!
• Help us spread the Rivers of Alabama Day Proclamation and broaden the communities that celebrate the importance of rivers for our state on the first Tuesday in April of each year! First recognized by the state legislature in 2007, Rivers of Alabama Day has also been proclaimed by the Montgomery City Council and Wetumpka. Click here to get inspiration from the Montgomery proclamation in 2024!

Please reply to this email or click below to submit newsletter items from your organization. We'd love to share your news with our 100+ partners across the region!

FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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