1. Environmental Groups Support Riley Tax Plan - Four statewide environmental groups in Alabama have endorsed the tax and accountability package, set for statewide referendum on September 9th.

According to a joint August 26th press release, over the past two weeks, the boards of the Alabama Environmental Council, Alabama League of Environmental Action Voters (ALaLEAVs), Alabama Rivers Alliance, and the Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club all voted to support the Governor's tax plan.

"Before we, as a state, can get our environmental house in order, we must get our state finances in order," stated Jeff Martin executive director of AlaLEAVs. "Environmental protection long has been an important issue to voters, but low on the state's priority list for funding. We hope this will change with the passage of Amendment One."

For more information about the endorsements contact AlaLEAVs at 334-221-5882.

2. International Paper Signs Ecological Agreement - One of Alabama's largest private landowners and a nonprofit scientific research group have signed a historic agreement to protect endangered and threatened plants, animals and landscapes.

According to the Birmingham News, International Paper has agreed to pay NatureServe, an alliance of nonprofit scientific research groups, to conduct thorough ecological inventories of its land. Nature Serve will also help the paper company, which manages over 1.2 million acres of forestland in Alabama, develop plans to harvest trees without harming fragile species and ecosystems. In Alabama, these efforts could protect nine imperiled species, including a flowering tree called the mountain witch alder, a 10 inch salamander called the Black Warrior waterdog and a plant called Harper's heartleaf that survives in only 20 to 30 spots in Alabama and Georgia.

For more information about NatureServe and the International Paper agreement
go to their website at http://www.natureserve.org

3. Endangered Vermilion Darter In Jefferson County Declining - Supporters of the vermilion darter in Jefferson County received disappointing news earlier this month about the darter's survival.

Despite a five year effort to save the species habitat, a population count nearly completed by a recovery team headed by Samford University biologists has found about 250 fish remaining in dwindling habitat in Jefferson County. In 1998, an estimated 1,800 to 3,000 darters lived in a 7.2 mile stretch near the headwaters of Turkey Creek.

First identified as a separate species in 1992, the darter was listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service two years ago. This summer, Alabama's Forever Wild Program, through the efforts of the Black Warrior-Cahaba Rivers Land Trust set aside more than 500 acres in nature preserve, to help protect the species.

Despite these recent efforts, the Samford biologists have expressed concerns that the vermilion darter, which is found nowhere on earth, may not survive.

4. USPIRG Superfund Report: Six Alabama Superfund Sites Lack Funding - Five hundred twenty-two Superfund cleanups across the country could be slowed down or stopped due to a lack of funding for the Superfund program, according to new report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

According to the report "Cleanup Slowdown: How Underfunding the Superfund Program Harms Communities Across America" 6 of Alabama's 13 National Priority List sites could be affected by funding shortfalls. Nationally, cleanups at 42% of all Superfund sites could be slowed or halted due to lack of funds.

To learn more about the Superfund funding crisis, view the USPIRG report at http://www.uspirg.org

5. BEN Notes: Wildlife Center Job Opening, ACF Conservation Hall of Achievement, 16th Annual Coastal Cleanup, 13th Annual Cahaba Cajun Feast, Alabama Power Foundation/AUFA "Plant a Tree" Grants

Wildlife Center Job Opening - The Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at Oak Mountain State Park is seeking an administrative coordinator. For a detailed job description go to http://www.awrc.org or send resumes to clowry@awrc.org.

ACF Conservation Hall of Achievement - The Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) is accepting nominations for their Conservation Hall of Achievement awards. This is a lifetime achievement award honoring local citizens on the coast who have promoted stewardship and who have selflessly volunteered their time and financial resources toward achieving improved conservation practices. The deadline for nominations is September 10th. For more information, contact ACF at 251-990-6002.

16th Annual Coastal Cleanup - It is time to get ready for the 16th Annual Coastal Cleanup which is set for September 20th. Over 4000 volunteers are needed to pull off this incredible event. If you would like to participate, contact Amy king at 251-929-0900 or log onto http://www.alcoastalcleanup.org

13th Annual Cahaba Cajun Feast - The Cahaba River Society (CRS) will be holding their 13th Annual Cahaba Cajun Feast, October 3rd, 7:00 at WorkPlay in Birmingham. Tickets for this event are $75. There will be good food and a live auction. For more information about this event contact CRS at 205-32-CLEAN.

Alabama Power Foundation/AUFA "Plant a Tree" Grants - The Alabama Power Foundation and the Alabama Urban Forestry Association are pleased to announce the "Plant a Tree in Alabama" grant program. As part of the 2003 Urban and Community Tree Assistance Program, the foundation will supply funds for tree planting in cities, towns and communities in the state. Last year, more than 75 groups received tree planting grants. For information and guidelines contact the
Alabama Power Foundation at 205-257-2508.