 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW 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 Alliance Partners, Welp, in spite of the legislative session ending last month, the chaos continues to ensue! As you may have heard, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in a very important redistricting case in Louisiana that has potential ramifications for Alabama and other states seeking to draw new congressional maps that essentially eliminate Black voting districts and democratic districts in the state. As a result of what is now known as the Calais ruling, Governor Ivey called a special session of the legislature. The catch is that Alabama is still under an injunction so nothing can be done without the court’s removal of that injunction! Read a more detailed explanation here about what is going on. Now what’s this got to do with water? Plenty! Elected officials at all levels of government are making important decisions about our waterways and communities, and it is essential that every Alabamian have the opportunity to vote for a candidate that represents them. The Voting Rights Act was a huge step forward for democracy in the country, and by eroding these rights, the Supreme Court is setting us back decades in ensuring that everyone has that right. Whether we are fighting for clean water, environmental protection, conservation of lands or public health, a strong democracy where voting rights are protected for all is not negotiable. Follow these partner organizations to stay updated as this all plays out, even while our State House remains under water, literally: Alabama Arise Alabama Statewide Coalition Partners Thank you for caring about water and voting rights! Don’t forget to vote in the primary which, for now, is still set for May 19! Check the Secretary of State’s website to make sure you’re registered and for more information about voting visit the League of Women Voters Vote 411 site. Water is Life, Cindy |
|  | FEDERAL / REGULATORY / COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES FUNDING FOR DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT UPGRADES The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has released Intended Use Plans (IUPs) for awarding funding to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects from the IIJA/BIL. These IUPs detail ADEM's plans for awarding supplemental funding from the Infrastructure Investment in Jobs Act Fiscal Year 2025 to drinking water and wastewater projects, including funding specifically for mitigating lead and emerging contaminants. Review the lists of projects, funding priorities, and directions for commenting on the DWSRF base IIJA IUP, CWSRF base IIJA IUP, DWSRF Lead Service Line IIJA IUP, DWSRF Emerging Contaminants IIJA IUP, and CWSRF Emerging Contaminants IIJA IUP. CRITICAL HABITAT DESIGNATIONS FOR MUSSELS The US Fish and Wildlife Service have designated critical habitat for the rayed beam, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase, all species of freshwater mussel, under the Endangered Species Act across 17 states, including the Tennessee River watershed in Alabama. The final rule was effective on May 27, 2026. These habitats have been designated as critical for the survival of four species of freshwater mussels. Read the Federal Register here. ADEM PERMITTING FOR PROJECT NEW ROAD LIMESTONE QUARRY Alabama ADEM is extending the public comment period and holding a joint public hearing on Thursday, May 28, 2026 concerning air and water discharge permits for Project New Road, a limestone quarry facility by Reed Materials LLC. In addition a minor air permit, Reed Materials is also applying for an NDPES permit to discharge drainage to an Unnamed Tributary of Shiloh Branch in the Tennessee River watershed. See public hearing details and comment instructions here. |
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|  | AROUND THE ARA OFFICE We're seeing municipalities across the state step up to regulate data centers and ensure that the big tech companies behind them pay their fair share. In Athens, the city adopted a zoning ordinance that prohibits data centers in all but their most dense industrial zones. Columbiana's City Council also rejected a tax abatement for a data center that is planning to expand in their city. BIRMINGHAM RESIDENTS + GROUPS: Please take the time to send an email or make a phone call to the Birmingham City Council asking them to pass their robust data center ordinance, without watering it down. We expect a vote on this ordinance Tuesday, May 12 so please share with your members and networks. Click here for more info and to send your email. The Southern Exposure Film Fellowship will soon be underway to produce this year's crop of fresh environmental short documentaries. Stay tuned to get to know this year's fellows and film topics. V is taking time off this month to celebrate their recent marriage with a honeymoon in Puerto Rico! Her Masters thesis proposal applying drone technology to onsite wastewater investigations was also accepted by Auburn University this spring. |
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| |  | ARA has some GIGANTIC news to share! If you haven’t heard it yet, you may not be ready! Martha Hunter, our Director of Community Partnerships, is retiring at the end of May. Martha has dedicated countless hours over the past 10 years at ARA building and strengthening our river protection movement, while making connections all across the state! Many people have come to know ARA and our movement because of Martha. Her endless energy and her passion for getting to know people and getting them connected to others working so hard to defend and protect our rivers throughout the state is unprecedented! She has definitely earned her time of rest but don’t worry - she won’t be disappearing. Between goat rearin’ and golf cart drivin’, she has agreed to continue to help out on some of her ongoing projects and to help onboard whoever may fill this important position for our organization. Stay tuned for that job announcement coming soon, and save the date now to join us on August 18 at Rojo to celebrate Martha! |
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| | 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! - Thank you to UAB's Alabama Public Service Training Initiative for highlighting their 2026 Unsung Heroes that show excellence and dedication to public service while being often underrecognized! ARA's own Deputy Director, Kelly Marshall, and Black Warrior Riverkeeper's Staff Scientist, Johnny Kinney, deserve this recognition and much more for their tireless work on behalf of the Alabama water environmental community!!
- Read more about Johnny's 20 years at Black Warrior Riverkeeper here.
- Cahaba River Coalition has named David Butler as Executive Director! Having served as every level of the organization, it's no surprise to us that this River Hero has taken on this new role. Read the full announcement here.
- Follow Energy Alabama to catch the latest on efforts to regulate energy bills via Alabama's legislature and what happens next following this year's legislative session.
- Freshwater Land Trust has earned reaccreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission for the third time, great job y'all! 30 years on, FLT is committed to over 12,500 acres. Explore some of the Red Rock Trail System's 175 miles with the Find a Trail map here!
- Almost 100 community members gathered in Demopolis to hear about a possible data center in Marengo County. BlackBelt Women Rising, Southern Environmental Law Center, and Alabama Rivers Alliance hosted a town meeting to discuss data center development in the Black Belt. Read coverage from Black Belt News Network.
- A new report by London Economics International LLC casts serious doubt on the allege need for the two massive methane gas pipeline projects in the Southeast. Thanks to SELC for the amplifying this finding.
- Friends of the Locust Fork River invites all to come hear from three guest experts about how sound conservation and management practices can restore the Locust Fork watershed. See event details on Facebook.
- Read the report from Mobile Baykeeper to see what Baldwin County residents have to say about rapid development and it's impact on water.
- April (was) Low Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month! Did you catch it in time?
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! |
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| FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
| FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES - Borealis Philanthropy's Disability Inclusion Fund x Tech Initiative Request for Proposals 2026 by May 20
- IMPACT100 Baldwin County is accepting Letters of Intent for projects to benefit Baldwin County, due May 15
- Alabama's Mountains, Rivers, and Valleys RC&D FY26 grant applications due June 30
- NEED FUNDS FAST?! Alabama Beer Company + ARA's DRIFT Fund is set up for financial assistance for projects
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| Alabama Rivers Alliance
4439 5th Avenue South Suite 1000 | Birmingham, Alabama 35222
205.322.6395 | [email protected] |
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