April 19, 1999
1) Pro-Environmental Legislation Moving This Week
2) A Special Place: Forever Wild's Wehle Nature Center
3) Newspaper Enviro Stories Accross Alabama
4) Legacy Grant Deadlines Fast Approaching
5) Beth Young's "River Walk" in Anniston
6) Alabama Rivers Alliance's Grassroots Directory
7) Governor Puts On a "Green Tie"
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1. Pro- Environmental Moving this Week - Two significant
pieces of
environmental legislation aimed at addressing Alabama's air pollution
woes
will be considered this week in the state legislature.
On Wednesday of this week, the State Government Committee in
the House will
most likely be considering HB 583, a bill aimed at establishing
a Vehicle
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I&M) Program in Jefferson
and Shelby
counties. Depending on how well the bill survives the legislative
process (if
it doesn't get watered down), an I&M Program potentially can
reduce
Birmingham Metro's ground level ozone air pollution levels by
10-15% within a
couple of years. Tampa, Louisville and Phoenix are three major
cities who
have reached "attainment" (or significantly improved
their air quality
status) of their air quality standards after the implementation
of such a
program. The bill enjoys broad support and perhaps one the most
diverse list
of backers (a list that includes industry, enviro, and health
groups) in
recent memory. For more information about this bill please call
205-226-7739
or e-mail me at pkbyington@aol.com
You can also register your support for
the bill, by calling your state rep. at 334-242-7600.
The second bill HB 118, (Expect a vote anytime this week!!!)
is a proposed
Constitutional Amendment to allow up to 2% of the revenue from
Alabama gas
taxes and license fees to fund public transportation. Currently,
the state
constitution prohibits the spending of these revenue sources on
public
transportation (Ever wonder why our Bus systems are poorly operated
in this
state? No money = poor or very little service). This bill will
obviously
have a positive effect on Alabama's air quality, along with the
powerful
proactive impact it will have on behalf of senior citizens, the
disabled and
the working poor. For more information about HB 118 contact Alabama
Arise at
334-832-9060 or 800-832-9060. Remember the bill could come up
to a vote as
early as Tuesday. Make sure to tell your State Rep. how you feel
about this
much needed bill. Their number is 334-242-7600.
2. A Special Place: Forever Wild's Wehle Nature Center
- Did you know that
Forever Wild helped create a nature center near Bullock County?
Several
years ago as the result of a Forever Wild land purchase, and the
generous
donation of the landowner, the Wehle Nature Center was founded.
This Spring the Alabama State Lands, a Division of the Alabama
Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources is holding special Saturday
programs at
the Wehle Nature Center from 10:00 to 4:00 until June 26th. Examples
of some
of the events include "Bird Awareness Day" (May 1),
"Turtles of Alabama" (May
22) and "Summer Night Sounds" (June 19 * Park will be
opened until 9:00
p.m.).
Come explore "up close" a wonderfully preserved Forever
Wild tract of land.
And while you are at it, take advantage of this first class nature
center and
its programs. For additional information about the Wehle Nature
Center call:
1-800-LAND-ALA.
3. Enviro. Newspaper Stories Across Alabama - Here is
a sampling of just a
few high profile stories appearing in the B'ham News, Mobile Register
and the
B'ham Weekly.
Birmingham News - In Sunday's (April 18) editorial section,
the News took a
strong stand on behalf of water quality and Alabama's rivers.
Here are some
lines from this thoughtful and well written editorial titled "River
of
Inaction" .
"A national environmental group has named one of the most
important river
systems in this state No. 3 on its list of the 10 most endangered
rivers in
the country. It caused not a ripple out of Montgomery. It should
have. Our
state, long touted for its bountiful waterways, is threatening
them for
future generation due to lack of will and aggressive strategies
for how to
protect them."
The editorial concluded, "There is a real threat to the
artery in the heart
of Alabama. The Legislature must take strong action to meet it,
or too many
of our rivers and lakes will continue to slowly strangle from
lack of oxygen
and lack of attention"
Mobile Register - Staff Reporter Danny Cusick profiles Alabama's
Grand Bay
Savnanna in this Sunday's edition (April 18). You can check the
article out
at this webpage address:
http://www.al.com/news/mobile/Apr1999/18-a315590a.html
Here is a preview.
"... scientists say the wet pine savannas and adjacent
salt marshes between
Alabama Port and Pacagoula, Miss., represent one of the richest
and rarest
patches on North America's ecological quilt, a habitat type that
has shrunck
by 97% over the past century, according to biologists with the
national
non-profit Nature Conservancy."
Birmingham Weekly - On a lighter side, check out this week's
"Spring Outside
- The Weekly's Guide to the Outside" in the Birmingham Weekly
(April 15-22
edition). The special, profiles many of our favorite enviro. groups
and even
BEN!
4. Legacy Grant Deadline Fast Approaching - Many non-profit
groups over the
years have taken advantage of "Legacy's Competitive Grant
and Mini-Grant"
program. This highly successful and competitive grant program
has helped
launch and support many creative and innovative environmental
education
programs across the state. To learn more about the program download
the
program's applications at Legacy's website:
http://legacy.partners.home.mindspring.com
Remember, the deadline for the
program is April 26th.
5. Beth Young's Anniston "River Walk" - Beth
Young is the "Ansel Adams of
Alabama". Her photography.... her art... her spirit... her
passion, has
touched the lives of thousands of people across Alabama, the Southeast
and
the nation. From April 22 to June 27th, Beth's "River Walk
A Journey Toward
the Future of the South's Rivers" exhibit will be on display
at the Anniston
Museum of Natural History. On April 23rd, 7:00 at the Museum,
you can meet
Beth in person along with Federal Compact Commissioner and longtime
environmental advocate Pete Conroy. They will be giving a presentation
on
rivers of the South. For more infomation about the "River
Walk" visit the
museum's website at: http://www.annistonmuseum.org
6. Alabama River's Alliance Grassroots Directory - How many
Community Based
River and Water Resource Groups do we have in Alabama? According
to the
Alabama Rivers Alliance (ARA) Grassroots Directory the answer
is 54!!!
Now, that number does not include 7 Paddle and Canoe Clubs,
6 Community
Watershed Authorities, 21 additional statewide conservation and
enviromental
groups and 36 education, governmental and research centers.
The Rivers Alliance is updating their grassroots directory
this month. The
deadline for changes and/or additions is April 30th. If you would
like to
purchase a copy of the directory in the future or perhaps add
another group,
contact Justin Ellis at jellis@alabamarivers.org
You can also check out the directory at: http://www.alabamarivers.org
7. Governor Siegelman Puts On a Green Tie - The Alabama
Environmental Council
(AEC) received a very pleasant surprise this past Saturday (April
17) at
their 3rd Annual Green Tie Affair with the appearance of Governor
and First
Lady Don and Lori Siegelman. The Governor sporting a "green
bowtie' mingled
with the crowd of 350 attendees for about an hour. The visit by
Alabama's
First Family and a great "swing band" and auction capped
off another very
successful "Green Tie Affair" for the AEC.
Please share BEN with friends and fellow conservationists.
If you have any questions about BEN, contact Pat Byington at
205-226-7739 or pkbyington@aol.com
