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1) Governor Siegelman Proposes Interim Agreement
to Water War
1. Governor Siegelman Proposes Interim Agreement to Water War - In a surprising move, Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, exchanged separate letters and proposals last week, calling for a multiyear "interim agreement" concerning the Alabama/Coosa/Tallapoosa river (ACT) water allocation negotiations. Governor Siegelman's letter asked Governor Barnes to accept Alabama's February 9th proposal for the next 10 years. According to Gov. Siegelman, with the enactment of an interim agreement, the states would be free to tackle "some of the tougher issues" that have prevented Alabama and Georgia from reaching a water allocation formula. Governor Barnes responded to Siegelman's letter with a letter of his own, outlining a separate and different multiyear interim agreement proposal. Siegelman has also told federal commissioner Lindsey Thomas he would be willing to consider extending the current water allocation compact and bringing in a retired federal judge to assist with the discussions before the dispute lands in federal court. With the two governors working together, maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel on this very contentious issue. For background information on the Alabama/Georgia/Florida "water wars" check out the BEN website at http://www.BamaNews.com for previous articles - click on BEN Archives. 2. ACT River Basin Declared Endangered - On Monday, April 10th, the Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Tri-State Conservation Coalition released a report on behalf of the national organization, American Rivers declaring both the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) and the Appalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basins as the fifth most endangered rivers in America. The report entitled "America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2000" concluded that the Tri-State River Basins were endangered because of a host of problems including water withdrawals, operation of existing dams, proposals for new dams, sprawling urban development, and polluted runoff. Despite the national listing, Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers, points out that all 10 rivers featured in the report can be restored if action is taken to protect them. For the complete report visit the American Rivers website at: http://www.americanrivers.org or call Beth Wentzel, the Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Restoration Specialist at 205-322-6395. 3. Red Hills Salamander to Become State's Top Amphibian - In a 95-0 vote, the Alabama House gave final approval to a bill naming the red hills salamander as the official state amphibian. The bill now awaits the Governor's signature. The 10 inch, dark-colored red hills salamander, which has been listed as a federally threatened species, was championed by third grade classes from Fairhope Elementary School. Teacher Susan Sims started the class project to help students learn both civics and science. Now they have passed a statewide law. What an incredible lesson! 4. More Alabama Enviro. Legislation Introduced - Last week, the Alabama Legislature passed the midway point of this year's regular session. Ten additional environmentally related House bills and 3 Senate bills have been introduced since the last BEN legislative update (you can check out previously introduced bills in the March 7th and March 14th editions of BEN - just go to http://www.BamaNews.com - and click on the archives). Here are short descriptions of recently introduced environmental legislation. HB -746 Proposal to create a Scenic Byways Program If you would like to read a specific bill, visit the legislature's website at: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/searchableInstruments/2000RS/Bills and click on the bill number that you want to view. 5. TVERC Renamed Southern Alliance for Clean Energy - As a result of their broadening mission and increasing regional effectiveness, the Tennessee Valley Energy Reform Coalition (TVERC) board of directors has voted to change TVERC's name to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE). TVERC's recent success and future plans to be a major policy shaping organization on clean energy issues was one of the main drivers in the name change. So - Pull out your rolodexes and start scratching out TVERC and write in Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. For more information about the name change and SACE, contact the director Stephen Smith at: sasmith@TnGreen.com 6. Green Job Openings in Alabama & D.C. - More environmental job opportunities keep opening here in Alabama and in Washington D.C. Please check out these openings and share them with potential candidates. Nature Conservancy of Alabama Seeking Development Director - TNC is seeking a Development Director to be located at their state office in Birmingham. For a job description please contact TNC at 205-251-1155. Scenic America Seeking D.C. Staff - Scenic America is currently hiring for four positions: Development Director, Policy Director, Grassroots Assistant, and Program Assistant. The positions will be located in Washington D.C. If you are interested in any of these positions, please visit the Scenic America website at http://www.scenic.org 7. Livable Cities and Clean Air Conference Coming to Birmingham - What does ozone air pollution do to your health? Want to see the latest in hybrid cars? What are urban heat islands? These questions and much more will be answered at the Livable Cities and Clean Air Conference sponsored by the Southern Environmental Center and Alabama Partners for Clean Air. The event is slated for Monday, April 17th at Birmingham Southern College beginning at 8:30 and ending at 12:00, with the dedication of the SEC's new Pavilion Classroom and Native Plant Walk. The conference is opened to the public and can be attended by people of all ages. For more information, please call the Southern Environmental Center at 205-226-4934 or email pkbyington@aol.com. Please share BEN with friends and fellow conservationists. If you have any questions or comments about this publication, contact Pat Byington, the author and publisher of BEN at 205-226-7739 or pkbyington@aol.com We also encourage readers to visit our website at : http://www.BamaNews.com |
