Bama Environmental News

#242

1) Enviro. Legislation Introduced
2) AWF Supports Secondary Education in Tuscaloosa
3) Unchecked Alabama Dams
4) BEN Notes: The Battle For Alabama's Wilderness, Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference, Pier Post River Journal Online, Alabama's Non Game Program, ARA's Watershed Leadership Conference, Cocktails With the Critters

BEN Spring Calendar of Events

BEN is currently developing our annual 2005 Spring Calendar of Events. If you know of an environmental event in your community from March 15th to June 30th, please send the details to pkbyington@aol.com.

1. Enviro. Legislation Introduced - A good number of environmental bills have been introduced since the opening of the Alabama legislative session two weeks ago. Here is a listing of House and Senate bills. If you want to download and read the bills online, go to http://www.legislature.state.al.us/.

HB 141/ SB 188 - Legislation concerning solid waste disposal plans, local approval process application and renewal fees. Sponsored by Rep. Morrison and Sen. Ted Little

HB 187/ SB 202 - Addresses Department of Conservation permits for collection of protected wild animals or birds for scientific purposes. Sponsored by Rep. Venable and Sen. Zeb Little

HB 263/ SB 231 - Solid waste disposal fee, to fund ADEM's Solid Waste program. Sponsored by Rep. McDaniel and Senator Mitchem

HB 270/ SB 234 - Solid waste financial assurance for closure and post-closure of landfills. Sponsored by Rep. McLaughlin and Senator Mitchem

HB 321/ SB 222 - Environmental Management Commission well driller position expanded to include licensed geologist. Sponsored by Rep. McDaniel and Sen. Means

HB 322/ SB 189 - Designate the Black Bear as the official state mammal. Sponsored by Rep. White and Sen. Lindsey

HB 332/ SB 226 - Distribute Legacy "Protect the Environment" license tag fees to Legacy Inc., create trust fund, and remove ADEM from tag fee appropriation process. Sponsored by Rep. Graham and Sen. Dial

SB 227 - Farm operations, nuisance actions - The Family Farm Preservation Act. Sponsored by Sen. Zeb Little

SB 245 - Granite and limestone surface operations, local approval required. Sponsored by Sen. Penn

SB 255 - Portion of the Forever Wild Land Trust reallocated to State General Fund for volunteer fire departments, the Soil and Water Conservation Committee and ADEM. Sponsored by Sen. Dial

2. AWF Supports Secondary Education in Tuscaloosa - The Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) last month presented Paul Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa with a $20,000 donation to help develop a conservation model for secondary education. The model will build upon the existing Discovering Our Heritage (DOH) program.

The TV show Discovering Alabama with its host Doug Phillips is a major resource in the DOH program. The program will integrate existing environmental education materials into one comprehensive course of study and includes pre-planned lessons that guide the teacher throughout the year. To learn more about the Paul Bryant High School pilot project and the Discovering Our Heritage program, contact AWF's Marisa Lee-Sasser at 334-285-4550 or visit the AWF website at http://www.alabamawildlife.org.

3. Unchecked Alabama Dams - According to a January 16th Birmingham News story, Alabama is the only state in the country without a dam safety program.

Neighboring states, Georgia and Mississippi, who have dam safety programs, have identified 399 (Georgia) and 282 (Mississippi) high-hazard potential dams. High-hazard potential means that if a dam were to break, it is probable that people living or traveling below the dam would die. High-hazard potential dams should be safe if they have not deteriorated and are well-maintained and inspected regularly. Both Georgia and Mississippi have safety programs that include regular inspections. According to the Birmingham News report, Alabama does not have a program.

Large dams, such as ones that produce electricity or on a navigable waterway are regulated and inspected by the federal government. The out of date Alabama inventory of dams lists 2105 dams in Alabama, including 171 that are high hazard.

4. BEN Notes: The Battle For Alabama's Wilderness, Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference, Pier Post River Journal Online, Alabama's Non Game Program, ARA's Watershed Leadership Conference, Cocktails With the Critters.

The Battle For Alabama's Wilderness - Former Executive Director of the Alabama Conservancy John Randolph has published "The Battle for Alabama's Wilderness - Saving the Great Gymnasiums of Nature". The book will be available at local bookstores and can be purchased at http://www.uapress.ua.edu/NewSearch2.cfm?id=133035 or BEN subscribers can get a 30% discount if they use this downloadable form. Thanks, John!

Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference - Students who care about energy conservation and renewable energy are welcomed to attend the 2005 Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference, February 17-20 in Knoxville, Tennessee at the University of Tennessee. To register go to http://energyconference.utk.edu.

Pier Post River Journal Online - Care about Alabama's Lakes in North Alabama? Try out Pier Post River Journal, an informative publication about life on Alabama's beautiful lakes. To receive a free electronic edition in March, email pierpost@hotmail.com.

Alabama's NonGame Program - Alabama's Nongame Wildlife Program needs your help. When you prepare your state income taxes this year, please consider making a donation to the Nongame Checkoff for Wildlife Program. For every dollar you donate, the federal government turns it into $4 through a match. It is a bargain.

ARA's Watershed Leadership Conference - The Alabama Rivers Alliance will be holding its annual Watershed Leadership Conference, March 18-20, at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama. For more information or to register, go to http://www.alabamarivers.org.

Cocktails With the Critters - Help support the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation by attending the "Cocktail with the Critters" event, scheduled April 1st at Mobile's Museum of Art. Special guests include Dr. E.O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize Winning Scientist and noted Gulf Coast Artist Stig Marcussen. Tickets are $75. For more info call 251-463-4311.