1) Governor Siegelman Calls For More Mercury Testing
2) Mobile Register Mercury Poll
3) Newspapers Profile Alabama's Consumption Habits
4) New Alabama Environmental Websites
5) BEN Notes: Getting Political: AlaLeavs, State Wetlands Workshop, Coastal Cleanup Scheduled, Forest Legacy Public Discussions

1. Governor Siegelman Calls For More Mercury Testing - In response to a Mobile Register story that highlighted potentially dangerous levels of methylmercury in fish caught in the Gulf, Governor Don Siegelman has called for increased fish testing and has begun working with neighboring Gulf states to fund the additional testing.

A recent investigation by the Mobile Register found several popular Gulf species contaminated with methylmercury, a toxic organic form of mercury. The Register also found evidence that federal and state authorities simply haven't tested most Gulf fish enough to know whether they are safe to eat. The National Academy of Science reported last year that the neurological
effects of methylmercury toxicity are most pronounced and damaging to children under 12 and to those exposed in the womb. The academy estimated that over 60,000 children are born each year at risk for neurological birth defects due to utero exposure to methylmercury.

2. Mobile Register Mercury Poll - As a follow up to their mercury fish contamination story, the Mobile Register conducted a poll seeking the public's opinion about fish consumption safety. Here are the results to some of the questions asked by the University of South Alabama polling group on behalf of the Register.

Generally speaking, how safe to eat is the fish available in local seafood shops and restaurants? 24% Very Safe, 49% Somewhat Safe, 12% Somewhat Unsafe, 4% Very Unsafe, 11% Don't Know/No Answer

Are you aware of any U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisories urging consumers to limit consumption of any types of seafood? 41% Yes, 56% No, 3% DK/NA

Do you think the government should require warnings similar to those on cigarettes, in places where fish might contain unsafe levels of mercury are sold? 82% - Yes, 13% - No, 5% DK/NA

3. Newspapers Profile Alabama's Consumption Habits - Last week, the Birmingham News and Mobile Register published articles profiling Alabama's consumption habits.

According to the Birmingham News, recent census data ranks Alabama No. 1 in the nation for the percentage of workers - 96% - who drive to work. The state was also first in percentage of workers who drive alone to work, reflecting a low use and availability of public transportation in Alabama. Only 11% of Alabama workers carpool to work.

In a related story, the Mobile Register reported that Alabama ranked 10th nationally in energy consumption nearly doubling the per capita output of 49th ranked California. The federal Energy Administration statistics ranked Mississippi 11th, Georgia 25th and Florida 47th in per capita energy consumption.

4. New Alabama Environmental Websites - This past week, the Bama Environmental News received news about three (3) new websites that should interest people who care about Alabama's environment. Please check these sites out.

Waste Reduction and Technology Transfer Foundation (WRATT) - This Shoals based non-profit organization is a statewide leader in promoting waste reduction. As a result of WRATT's efforts, industries have reduced significant amounts of waste and pollution and saved money. http://www.wratt.org

ADECA's Water Allocation Proposals - Learn more about the state of Alabama's latest proposals in the ACT/ACF water allocation compact negotiations with Georgia and Florida. Visit the following site.

http://www.adeca.state.al.us/adeca/pages/pages_stm/Office_of_Water_Resources_Interstate-Water-Compacts.stm

Alabama Maps - This website has more than 1300 maps online covering just about any demographic question/issue. From population growth maps to topography this site has it all. Visit Alabama Maps at http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/

5. BEN Notes: Getting Political: AlaLeavs, State Wetlands Workshop, Coastal Cleanup Scheduled, Forest Legacy Public Discussions

Getting Political: AlaLeavs - This past month, a week has not gone by without someone announcing their intentions to run for office. Next year, the entire Alabama House and Senate will be up for grabs, along with the constitutional offices. Three years ago, several environmental organizations and activists founded the Alabama League of Environmental Action Voters (AlaLeavs). This new organization has focused primarily on lobbying the Alabama legislature. With the upcoming 2002 elections just around the corner, AlaLeavs will turn its attention toward electing pro-environmental candidates. If you are interested in learning more about AlaLeavs and becoming a member, contact Jeff Martin, AlaLeavs director 334-834-2956 or visit their website at http://www.alaleavs.org

State Wetlands Workshop - The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Geological Survey of Alabama will be holding three (3) wetlands workshops in September.
The meetings are designed to educate environmentalists, industry, developers and other interested people on the function and operation of wetland banks and general wetland issues. It is part of an ongoing project being conducted by the agencies to determine the mitigation demand and potential in wetland restoration sites in Alabama. The workshops are scheduled for:

September 11th - Tuscaloosa - Bryant Conference Center
September 12th - Montgomery - Montgomery Conference Center
September 13th - Mobile - International Trade Center, Killian Room

For additional information contact Claude McDonald (334) 394-4313 or cem@adem.state.al.us

Coastal Cleanup Scheduled - Alabama's Annual Coastal Cleanup is scheduled for
September 15th. If you are interested in participating, please contact Amy Peper at the Department of Conservation's Coastal Programs office - 334-626-0042.

Forest Legacy Public Discussions - The state of Alabama is seeking your input in the development of a "needs assessment" for the creation of a state Forest Legacy Program. Six "public discussion" meetings are to held across the state next week. Thefollowing are the scheduled meetings.

Aug. 13, 2:00 -4:30 - Huntsville - Technology Hall, UAH - Room #N140
Aug.14, 2:00-4:30 - Tuscaloosa - 249 Bidgood Hall, Univ. of Alabama
Aug.15, 9:00am - 11:30am -Mobile - Harrigan Learning Center - University of Mobile
Aug. 20, 2:00-4:30 - Birmingham - Jefferson State Manufacturing Center (Jeff State College
Aug. 21, 9:00am-11:30am - Troy - Troy State Arboretum
Aug. 22, 9:00am-11:30am - Thomasville - WJ Paul Bldg. - Alabama Southern Community College

To learn more about the Forest Legacy Program visit the U.S. Forest Service website at http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/flp.htm or view Alabama's Draft Assessment of Need document and fill out a questionnaire at http://www.preceda.com or call 334-514-3000.

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 To receive back issues of BEN, please go to our website at: http://www.BamaNews.com