1. Four New Environmental Laws Enacted in Alabama - What do scrap tire dumps, brownfields, clean water laws and nonsmoking areas in public places all have in common?

They were all issues addressed by the Alabama legislature during the 2003 Regular Session, which ended in mid-June.

In one of the most successful environmental sessions in a decade, the Alabama legislature passed the following pieces of legislation:

Scrap Tires - Combating Alabama's scrap tire epidemic, this new law sets aside monies to clean up illegal tire dumps (according to the scrap tire commission 20 million tires litter Alabama's landscape) and help companies properly dispose of scrap tires. A $1 a tire fee, will enable the state to raise more than $4 million a year to enact the program.

Brownfields - Last year, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management secured a $1 million grant from the federal government to start a Brownfields State Revolving Loan Program. The legislature passed a bill to authorize such a program, which will help industries and local governments cleanup and redevelop old abandoned industrial sites.

Clean Water - Earlier this year, in the case McAbee v. Fort Payne, several problems were identified concerning Alabama's Clean Water Act. In an effort to update Alabama's Clean Water Act, the legislature passed House Bill 434, a new law that will increase public participation, greatly improve the enforcement of Alabama's environmental laws and make the present weaker Alabama Clean Water law on par with the Federal Clean Water Act.

Indoor Air - After more than six years, the state of Alabama has became the last state in the country to pass a clean indoor air act. This new law will require nonsmoking areas to be designated in public places.

Governor Bob Riley signed all of these bills into law in late June.

2. Alabama's Newest National Wildlife Refuge Dedicated - On June 30th in Anniston, Alabama, Senator Jeff Sessions, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of the Army, and about 150 dignitaries from local and state governments and organizations gathered to dedicate the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge.

The 9,016 acre tract of land in northeast Alabama is home to the largest remaining stands of old growth mountain longleaf pine forests.

"Creating this refuge has been one of my highest priorities since coming to the Senate." stated Sen. Sessions.

Sessions included an amendment in the 2003 Defense Authorization Bill to establish the refuge at the Fort McClellan Army reservation. President Bush signed the legislation into law late last year, and the refuge was formally created on June 1st, becoming the 542nd refuge in the nation.

The Nature Conservancy of Alabama has identified 11 species of flora and 21 species of fauna they consider rare within the refuge.

One of the leading proponents for the refuge was the Jacksonville State University Environmental Policy and Information Center (EPIC). You can learn more about the new refuge at EPIC's website http://www.jsu.edu/depart/epic.

3. Rep. Spencer Bachus Wants To Expand Cahaba Refuge Boundaries - Rep. Spencer Bachus from Birmingham has introduced legislation that would expand the
Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge.

Looking to build upon the current 3500 acre Cahaba Wildlife Refuge, Rep. Bachus has introduced a bill to give the Secretary of Interior authority to acquire up to 30,000 aces of lands and waters from willing property owners along the Cahaba River.

"The expanded wildlife refuge will help preserve this beautiful place for ourselves, our children, and our children's children," stated Bachus in a press release announcing the legislation.

The Cahaba River is home to the largest population of the shoals lily in the world and hosts more than 131 species of fish, more than any other river its size in North America. Sixty-four (64) rare and imperiled species of aquatic plants and animals live in the waters of the Cahaba.

In October 2000, the original 3500 acre Bibb County refuge was created by legislation introduced by Congressman Bachus.

4. Alabama's 2001 Toxic Release Inventory Data Released - Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency released its 2001 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data.

As part of the 1986 Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, industries that meet certain requirements must report to the states and EPA, specific information about certain reportable chemicals that they release, treat, transfer or recycle.

In 2001, Alabama's TRI data was derived from 566 facilities. According to the most recent report, Alabama realized a 10% reduction from 2000 TRI data in the total pounds of chemicals reported in "Total On and Off site Releases" category. Also, the 2001 data documented a 10% reduction in total pounds of chemicals reported in the "Total Releases within State" category. A 50% reduction was also noted in the total pounds of chemicals reported in the "Production-related Waste Managed" category.

The TRI report does not reflect the compliance status of the facilities that are required to report TRI data. The public can access the TRI report by visiting the EPA website at : http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer . To learn more about TRI you can also go to Environmental Defense website - http://www.scorecard.org or contact ADEM at 334-271-2700.

5. BEN Notes - ACES Seeking Seasonal Employment, Envision Coastal Alabama Meeting, Stormwater Workshops, Water Resources Conference, In Session With Jeff Sessions, New Websites

ACES Seeking Seasonal Employment - The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is seeking seasonal environmental educators for their 4-H Center in Columbiana. To learn more about this position visit their website at http://www.alabama4hcenter.org or call Sandra Spencer at 205-669-4241. You can also send your resume and 3 references to Sandra Spencer, Alabama 4H Center, Environmental Education Program, 892 4H Road, Columbiana, Al. 35051.

Envision Coastal Alabama Meeting - Envision Coastal Alabama will be holding its annual meeting Thursday, July 10th at 7:30 a.m. (breakfast for $5 - order by calling 431-8628 or email linda@mobilechamber.com) - at the Daphne Civic Center on Hwy 98. The group will be addressing many issues including protecting the Mobile River Delta, its estuaries and waterways for future generations. Coordinators on the environment are Cathy O'Keefe 251-460-7131 or cokeefe@usouthal.edu and Charlotte Cabiniss - 251-580-1648.

Stormwater Workshops - A Stormwater BMP Academy will be held August 14th at the Mobile Chamber of Commerce in Mobile. The one day workshop will address topics including the effectiveness and site considerations for stormwater best management practices, including rain gardens, permeable paving, and stormwater wetlands. An Advanced BMP Design Workshop will be held August 15th at the same
location. This event is geared to engineers and designers.

Space is limited and CEU's are available. The registration deadline is August 1st. For more information about this event call Jody Scanlan at 251-438-5690 or Lee Yokel at 251-431-6409.

Water Resources Conference - If you care about Alabama's Water Resources, check out the 2003 Alabama Water Resources Conference scheduled for September 3-5 in Orange Beach. For more information about the event, contact Dennis Block at blockdh@auburn.edu or Jamie Creamer at jcreamer@auburn.edu

In Session With Jeff Sessions - Senator Jeff Sessions has a public affairs television program that can be accessed through the Internet. In May, the show featured Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and Alabama conservationist Pete Conroy. Topics on the program ranged from ANWR to the new Mountain Longleaf Wildlife Refuge. Check the program out at: http://sessions.senate.gov/pages/cableshow.htm

New Websites - Please check out the following websites. These sites will be added to the BEN website http://www.BamaNews.com soon!

http://www.aldridgegardens.com

http://www.sustainablealabama.org