 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW A newsletter for organizational partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance Welcome to the October 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 each month to read about upcoming events, funding opportunities, training sessions, job postings and 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. ADEM ANNOUNCED A PUBLIC HEARING ON REVISIONS TO WATER QUALITY CRITERIA ADEM announced revisions to Water Quality Criteria, described in section 335-6-10 of ADEM's Administrative Code, and a subsequent public hearing and opportunity for comments will be held. This section describes how ADEM determines waterway classifications and restrictions on waterway uses due to how it is used by the public. Revisions feature edits to many waterway use classifications as well as changes to the rule itself. Learn more. EPA REQUESTING PUBLIC INPUT ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR LEAD & COPPER RULE IMPROVEMENTS If you have experience with the impact of lead & copper on historically underserved and/or overburdened communities, tell the EPA about it! The EPA will host two virtual public meetings to discuss and solicit input on environmental justice considerations related to the development of the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Public meeting will be held on October 25 and November 1, but submit comments anytime before November 15. The proposed rule is expected to be open for comment in 2023. Learn more. ENGAGE WITH THE EPA ABOUT PFAS IN DRINKING WATER The EPA is holding a webinar to prepare communities on how to get involved and provide EPA with their input on the upcoming proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The public webinar will be held on November 2, 2022 at 1:30 pm to 3 pm Central Time. Sign up to attend here. | | | | | |  | AROUND THE ARA OFFICE -
With the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the update of the Fish Guide hotline, events every week, and some yet-to-be-announced hydro news, the ARA Comms Team has been crafting press releases, sending media alerts, drafting op-eds, and building relevant media lists aplenty the last couple of weeks! In the ever-evolving landscape of traditional and non-traditional media, it's important to continue to find new ways to seek widespread coverage of the important issues we tackle every day. -
The policy team spent October working with partners to prepare for legislative and regulatory advocacy in 2023. We are looking forward to an active year on important issues including, Fisher's Right to Know, Forever Chemicals, Water Infrastructure, and the continuing efforts toward an Alabama Water Plan. Jack recently travelled to Fort Payne to speak with the mayor and city council and update the city on the Wild and Scenic campaign for Little River. -
Our Organizing Team has been traversing the state supporting the development of a new Friends of the Alabama River group in Montgomery and continuing to have a "HEC" of a good time facilitating the growing Huntsville Environmental Coalition. We are also excited to always be making new intersectional connections for our Alliance by actively participating in the Alabama River Diversity Network, Alabama Forward, and AL Gulf South for A Green New Deal. -
Through our staff's frequent fall travels, we have been able to witness some amazing views of the Alabama autumn! Fall is a great time to connect with the outdoors with a bit less mosquitos than normal. Jack recently enjoyed a trip to Desoto State Park and Victoria camped out at Cheaha State Park! | | | | | |  | 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! - Waterkeepers Alabama and their national partner, the Waterkeeper Alliance, released a groundbreaking new analysis of American waterways that sounds the alarm on a PFAS pollution emergency. In a test of 114 waterways from across the country, 83% were found to contain at least one type of PFAS—dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are widely linked to serious public health and environmental impacts. Learn more.
- Learn more about this PFAS investigation, PFAS in general, and its impacts from local partners: The ABCs of PFAS: What Are They And Why We Should Be Concerned by Mobile Baykeeper and Unprecedented Analysis Reveals PFAS Contamination in the Coosa River Shows Shocking Levels of Contamination by Coosa Riverkeeper.
- Alabama Arise has created an educational voter guide about the upcoming election on November 8th. This guide can help you find out how to check if your registered, what you'll need on voting day, how to find your ballot and where to vote, and a quick run down on the vote for a recompiled constitution. Read it here.
- The newly formed Friends of the Alabama River celebrated their first monthly Green Drinks in Montgomery! Join these folks at the Hilltop Public House on the 2nd Thursday of the month for informal meet ups about the ongoing environmental and social justice work in the Montgomery community. Check out a photo from last month's meeting!
- South Alabama Land Trust is celebrating a new program - the Native Habitat Program, geared towards reconnecting habitats one yard, one garden, at a time! Folks can join the program to get their yard certified as Native Habitat and find local resources for native plants in South Alabama.
- Wanting more opportunities to connect with Alabama's non-White community? Get your organization's name & face out there by tabling at stops on Shake the Field's Trap Democracy Tour! These trap music festivals seek to fuse various aspects of Black culture with messaging about civic engagement. Sign up to table, using Alabama River Alliance's as your member org, here!
- The 2022 Southern Exposure films are now available gratis on the Southern Exposure website! Feel free to use this year, and EVERY year's films, to promote environmental education in your community. Reach out to Kelly if you would like to curate a custom slate of films and put on a show in your community!
- Alabama Waste Sludge Awareness's Julie Lay spoke on an episode of the Old Fashioned on Purpose podcast entitled "When Fertilizer Turns Toxic." Listen & watch it here!
- The Friends of the Locust Fork River are making good progress on their Broad Winged Hawk mural. If you happen to be passing through Blountsville, check it out at the fire station or donate here to support FLFR's mural projects!
This newsletter is created by a small team with limited resources, please use the form below or reply to this email if you ever want to see a particular newsletter item or want to submit news from your organization! | | | | | | | | FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES - Tides Foundation is accepting Requests for Proposal for their Frontline Justice Fund's Fall 2022 grantmaking cycle, apply by 10/27
- Set up Amazon Smile & receive 0.5% on eligible purchases your supporters make during this holiday season, sign up here
- The Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offer small grants to make a big difference & apply by 11/10 for their Spring Round of grants
| | | | | | Alabama Rivers Alliance
2014 6th Avenue North, Suite 200 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203
205.322.6395 | info@alabamarivers.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
