 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW A newsletter for organizational partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance Welcome to the September 2023 edition of ARA's monthly partner newsletter! Our partner 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, partner news, job postings, funding sources, and opportunities to enjoy Alabama's great outdoors! | | | | | |  | REGULATORY NEWS & COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES Relevant environmental regulatory updates & opportunities to let agencies know how their decisions can impact your work. PROPOSED RULE REVISIONS TO AIR POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAM & HEARING ADEM announced an open comment period and public hearing to consider revisions to Division 3 of the ADEM Administrative Code and State Implementation Plan, which are the rules and regulations around Alabama's Air Pollution Control program. These extensive changes are proposed to incorporate federal requirements for new air pollution sources and hazardous air pollutant standards. A public hearing will be hosted on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at ADEM's central office, and the comment period will remain open until October 13, 2023. Read the proposed rules, link to the Federal Register, and more details on ADEM's public notice. See other rule revisions currently open for comment on ADEM's public notice page, which include the Tank Trust Fund and the Environmental Covenants rules. MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET ON THE RECORD: EPA PROPOSES TO DENY AL COAL ASH PERMIT PROGRAM | EPA has proposed to deny Alabama's application submitted for their state coal ash permit program and better protect local communities from pollution! The EPA preliminarily determined that portions of Alabama's CCR permit program are not compliant with federal regulations for coal ash. This marks the first state CCR permit program the EPA is proposing to deny. The 60-day open comment opportunity will close on October 13, 2023 and an online public hearing on September 27, 2023. Visit the EPA's webpage on the denial to learn more, link to the Federal Register, and register to speak. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | 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! - Help make the 14th annual Cahaba River Fry-Down a success! Join the Cahaba River Society this coming Saturday at Cahaba Brewing for their biggest fundraiser of the year. Buy tickets, see how to sponsor, and more here!
- Black Warrior Riverkeeper and GASP, with legal representation by the Southern Environmental Law Center, are acting against Bluestone Coke for their continued breaches of the Clean Water Act despite not being operational. Read more here.
- The 2023 South Alabama Land Trust Photo Contest is open now through November 1st! Submit photos capturing nature in south Alabama and read guidelines here.
- The Huntsville Environmental Coalition is proud of their efforts working with the city of Huntsville on establishment of the Sustainability Commission. Read more of what the city of Huntsville is working on for environmental sustainability here.
- Mobile Environmental Justice Action Coalition (MEJAC) hosted the official launch of Africatown's cemetery documentation program with archeologist Dr. Alexandra Jones and a training on how to digitally document and preserve gravesites. Learn more about their preservation efforts here.
- The Great Alabama 650 kicks off this weekend! Join Alabama Scenic River Trail this Saturday 9/30 in Gadsden to watch the pass and cheer them as they pass by, more details on Facebook here.
- Wild Alabama hit the trails on National Public Lands Day in the Bankhead National Forest, and volunteers removed 1,750 pounds of trash from a single 5 mile stretch along highway 33! Read more and see pictures on Facebook, here.
- Vote for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper to win in the 2023 Defender Service Awards here. They are a finalist to win a new vehicle & $25k to support their work. Vote once a day until October 4th.
- Check out a recent interview with Taylor Clark of Milo's Tea Company by Rosey White, Black Warrior Riverkeeper's AmeriCorps member. Read about how tea & the Black Warrior mix it up here.
- Head out to ARA's own Martha Hunter's home in Blountsville on October 7 or 8 for the National Solar Home Tour! Register to tour 5 homes - an underground home, straw bale, modified Mongolian Yurt, clerestory & a retrofitted ranch style house. More information, FAQ, & registration here.
- There are copious opportunities to get outdoors for fun and to volunteer this fall! Just a few: Popup Swift Night Out on 9/27, 18th annual Village Creek clean up on 9/30, Cahaba Riverkeeper Tire Rodeo on 10/14, and Pinchgut Revival Fest on 10/15.
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 | | FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES - EPA Environmental Education grant competition is open now through 11/8, learn more
- Daniel Foundation grants for Education & Youth focus area Letter of Intent due 10/16, learn more
- The Exploration Fund Grant for graduate/post grad/early career scientists, apply by 10/28
- Walmart Local Community Grants, apply for multiple stores near you by next deadline 10/15, learn more
| | | | | | Alabama Rivers Alliance
2014 6th Avenue North, Suite 200 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203
205.322.6395 | info@alabamarivers.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
