 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW A newsletter for organizational partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance Happy Thanksgiving and welcome y'all to the November 2024 edition of ARA's partner newsletter! This newsletter highlights events, news and more from our partners and organizations around our network to help keep us all informed and engaged with each other's work for change and clean water in Alabama. Read through this month's newsletter to hear about open comment opportunities, events, updates from ARA's staff, partner highlights, funding, training, and hiring opportunities. | | | | | |  | REGULATORY NEWS & COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES Relevant environmental regulatory updates & opportunities to let agencies know how their decisions can impact your work. FERC RELEASED DRAFT EIS FOR APCO'S HARRIS DAM & PUBLIC MEETINGS The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Alabama Power's R.L. Harris Hydroelectric Dam (Project No 2628-066) in accordance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). Comments are open now until January 20, 2025. Two public meetings will be hosted by FERC to accept public comments in Lineville on the evening of 12/16 and morning of 12/17. Click the links to see public meeting details from FERC, download EIS files, APCO's Harris Relicensing site (not updated yet), and how to submit FERC comments here. Expect to hear more from ARA as we review the draft materials, prepare comments, and engage with local communities impacted by the Harris process! EPA SEEKING COMMENTS ABOUT PFAS IN PLASTIC MANUFACTURING The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public input on the manufacture of PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), during the fluorination of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and other plastic containers. This process, used to strengthen plastics, can produce harmful PFAS. The EPA's request for comments aims to inform PFAS regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and follows a petition from Earthjustice advocating for a ban on PFAS formation during fluorination. The public comment period is open until November 29, 2024 via the Federal Register. USFWS PROPOSING TO DELIST 2 MUSSELS IN ACF BASIN The US Fish & Wildlife Service (within the Dept of Interior) is proposed to delist two mussels, Chipola Slabshell and Fat Threeridge, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Species due to recovery. The species occur in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint watersheds in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Read more & submit comments to USFWS by December 30, 2024 via the Federal Register. | | | | | |  | THANKFUL TIDINGS FROM THE ARA TEAM - We're thankful for the partnership with the brand new Alabama Beer Co as we launch the NEW Alabama LIGHT beer and the new DRIFT Fund initiative supporting our partners with grant opportunities. It's truly been a dream of ARA's for years to see a fund emerge from the blending of two of Alabama's best things: clean water and great local beer!
- We're thankful for the recent initial gathering of groups and agencies to kick off the new InBOLD (Instream Barrier and Other Low-head Dams) subgroup of ARSNiC (Alabama Rivers and Streams Network including Connectivity). Plan to attend ASRN's 2025 annual meetings (1/21-24) to hear more!
- We're thankful for the opportunity to comment on the Harris Dam Relicensing process at FERC and engage with local communities about hydropower impacts (just in time for Jack's 40th birthday and the holidays!).
- We're thankful for World Water Film Festival's recognition of 2023 Southern Exposure film FL*SHING INJUSTICE with the Best Social Impact Award! Alabama wastewater heroes, Sherry Bradley and Perman Hardy, got to join SE filmmaker Astrid Malter in New York for the festival and to receive their award. See photos here on our Facebook!
- We're thankful that we've been blessed with safe travels as we've travelled around the state this past month meeting with legislators and planning some exciting new work in the Montgomery area.
| | | | | | | | 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! - The Nature Conservancy in Alabama honored ARA's incredible Executive Director, Cindy Lowry, with this year's Alabama Woman of Conservation Award! This recognition highlights Cindy’s outstanding leadership and contributions to conservation made over her career (so far!). Check out more accolades, remarks from last year’s recipient, Beth Stewart, and photos on our Facebook.
- Great news out of Madison Park! This is an important wastewater project that Alabama Rivers Alliance has been monitoring and advocating for since 2021, beginning with the Southern Exposure film "Wastewater: A Tale of Two Cities." We're grateful for Commissioner Sankey and Mayor Reed for seeing that federal funds are dedicated to such a long-awaited, long-needed project!
- Congratulations to Alabama Environmental Council (AEC) for expanding their team with two fantastic hires! Sarah Randolph, Program Coordinator, and Roald Hazelhoff, Education Advisor, are joining the team at AEC, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise. Be sure to give them a warm welcome on Facebook!
- Look for the new Alabama Beer Company's Alabama LIGHT beer hitting shelves in December! ARA is so excited to partner with Alabama Beer Company as they launch this beer and the new DRIFT Fund (Defending River Integrity For Tomorrow). The fund is administered by ARA and the granting committee includes: Alabama Cup Races, Alabama Rivers Alliance, Alabama Scenic River Trail and Waterkeepers Alabama. Read coverage in AL.com & Bama Buzz or check out the DRIFT Fund here on our website!
- Huntsville Environmental Coalition's Ankur Shah was recently recognized by GreenBiz as one of VERGE24 Emerging Leaders Awardees! Learn more about this program for cultivating professionals of color pursuing careers in sustainability and see photos here!
- Get ready for brand new episodes of Alabama Value's AV Reads podcast with Destiny Williams! Join Destiny as she discusses books that inspire, heal, & help us all imagine a new world. See past episodes & subscribe on YouTube.
- Who pays for Alabama's zombie highway, the Birmingham Northern Beltline project? Federal taxpayers! Read more analysis of this ill-fated project from Dennis Pillion, now with Inside Climate News, and from Black Warrior Riverkeeper.
- There are lots of opportunities to get outdoors with Wild Alabama year round! Check out their events & sign up here.
- American Rivers and 131 partners, including ARA, sent a letter to Congress urging passage of emergency disaster relief funding. Read the letter here.
- Check out the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network's (NTEN) AI For Nonprofits Resource Hub to learn about responsible AI adoption in the nonprofit sector. Click here.
- Alabama Water Rally 2025 is right around the corner! Let us know what you're interested in learning more about, PLUS nominate a River Hero and more! Click here to let us know your thoughts and save the date for March 28 - 30 for Alabama Water Rally at Camp Beckwith in beautiful Fairhope!
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 | | | | | | Alabama Rivers Alliance
4439 5th Avenue South Suite 1000 | Birmingham, Alabama 35222
205.322.6395 | info@alabamarivers.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
