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March 13, 2002 #173 1) Sen. Shelby Asks EPA
To Guarantee Pipeline Safety neighbors who cherish and protect what they have in common." - Wendell Berry and Brownfields Redevelopment. The event will be held March 21 & 22 at Birmingham- Southern College. For additional details and registration information and forms visit http://www.region2020.org 1. Sen. Shelby Asks EPA To Guarantee Pipeline Safety - Last week, in a letter sent to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christine Whitman, Alabama Senator Richard Shelby asked the agency to "guarantee" that the construction of Colonial Pipeline Co.'s $300 million petroleum pipeline will not compromise the health and safety of more than 50,000 people living in Blount County. "While I am aware that pipelines generally provide a safe method of delivering petroleum products to our communities, there are outstanding health and safety issues along the proposed route that are troubling," Sen. Shelby wrote. Advocates against the Colonial 225 mile pipeline route claim that a pipeline break in Blount County would be disastrous, because most residents get their water from groundwater sources. For more information about the proposed pipeline visit Colonial Pipeline's website at - http://www.colpipe.com/ex_welcome.asp. You can also visit SAVE's website at http://www.geocities.com/nocolonialpipeline/ 2. Tuscaloosa Could Violate Proposed Air Standards - According to the Tuscaloosa News, a possible tightening of federal environmental regulations could put Tuscaloosa in violation of several air quality standards within two years. Ron Gore, chief of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's air quality division stated in the News report that the federal government could place more stringent standards for airborne fine particles into effect as early as 2004. If this happens, Tuscaloosa most likely would be in violation of these standards and would have to take steps to correct the problem. Presently, EPA is taking steps to control
fine particle emissions by proposing a new tighter standard,
known as PM-2.5. Under this standard, a single testing site cannot
have a three-year average greater than 15 micrograms per square
meter. In 1999, the first year measurements were taken
for the new standard in Tuscaloosa, the region averaged 17.4
micrograms per square meter. In 2000, the average was 18.6.
At its present rate, Tuscaloosa would be in violation of the
proposed new standard, according to state For more information about the fine particle PM-2.5. standard visit the American Lung Association's website at http://www.lungusa.org/air/pm_factsheet99.html 3. Mobile Bay Estuary Program Creates New Alliance - On March 1st, Governor Don Siegelman approved a three party agreement between the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (NEP), Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that will significantly improve the management, protection and enhancement of Alabama's coastal resources. The agreement brings the community one step closer toward implementing the Mobile Bay NEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Mobile Bay and Mobile Tensaw Delta. Under the new alliance, the Mobile Bay NEP will partner formally with the Department of Conservation to take the comprehensive plan beyond the planning stages and into implementation. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab will serve as the host institution and fiscal agent for the Mobile Bay NEP. The three groups will focus on efforts to improve and maintain water, fish and wildlife habitat, and living resource populations. They will also help eliminate duplication of efforts and streamline information for natural resource management. To learn more about the NEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Mobile Bay and Mobile Tensaw Delta visit their website at http://www.mobilebaynep.com/Publications.htm 4. Alabama Ranked 2nd in Drinking Water Quality - Here is some encouraging news. The EPA has ranked Alabama second in the nation for water system compliance. The EPA report includes 2001 inventory data and violations data for community water supply systems that are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. A community water supply system supplies drinking water on a daily basis to people who live in a certain area and includes cities, towns, rural water supply systems and trailer parks. The recent EPA report outlined the fact that on a national level 4,813, or 9% of the nation's 53,783 community water supply systems reported 7,724 violations of either maximum contaminant levels or treatment techniques. Some individual states reported that more than 30% of their community water supply systems documented violations. In Alabama, only 23 of the state's 583 community water systems or 3% reported a total of 24 violations of either maximum contaminant levels or treatment techniques. Alabama came in second to Rhode Island (a much smaller system) for the least number of violations. For more information on Alabama public water supply systems, contact Joe Power, Drinking Water Branch Chief at ADEM (334) 271-7774. 5. New Water Resources and Solid Waste Legislation Introduced - Last week, long awaited legislation amending the Alabama Water Resources Act was introduced in the Alabama legislature. A bill changing the state's solid waste law has also been introduced. The following is a description of the legislation: HB & SB 397 - This bill prohibits municipalities with a population under 15,000 to enact a solid waste management plan. The legislation also requires referendum approval for solid waste plans in unincorporated areas of a county. Sponsored by Rep. Major and Sen. Escott-Russell. HB 589 & SB 496 - This bill transfers water resources enforcement authority from the Environmental Management Department (ADEM) to the Office of Water Resources. Sponsored by Rep. Lindsey and Sen. Dial. HB 590 & SB 494 - This bill amends the Alabama Water Resources Act. For persons legally entitled to use waters of the State, a declaration of beneficial use must be submitted prior to construction of a facility. Sponsored by Rep. Lindsey and Sen. Dial. 6. BEN Notes: Ireland Wildlife Art Contest, AEC's 35th Annual Meeting, AEC Names New Director, Wolf Bay's Trash & Treasure Sale Ireland Wildlife Art Contest - The Alabama Wildlife Federation is teaming up again with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to promote this year's Ireland Youth Wildlife Art Contest and the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest throughout Alabama. Both contests are open to all public, private and home school students in grades K-12 across Alabama. The deadline for both contests is March 15, 2002. The top winners are awarded plaques and art supplies at an awards banquet. For additional details about entering the Ireland Youth Art Contest, please contact the AWF at 1-800-822-9453. If you have questions regarding the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, please contact Kathy Whaley at 256-350-6639. AEC's 35th Annual Meeting - The Alabama Environmental Council (AEC) will be holding its 35th Annual Meeting, this Saturday, March 16th at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. This year's subject will be "Alabama's Air: Pollution and Solutions." Registration is $10. For more information call 205-322-3126 or visit the AEC website at http://www.aeconline.ws AEC Names New Director - Due to changes in family circumstances, Rachel Reinhart resigned in early March her position as executive director of the Alabama Environmental Council. The AEC board of directors have tapped Watchdog Program Coordinator Jayme Hill to be the AEC's new executive director. Wolf Bay's Trash & Treasure Sale - Wolf Bay Watershed Watch will be holding their semiannual Trash & Treasure fundraiser, Saturday, March 30th from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the historic Miflin Community Center in Baldwin County. Proceeds from the sale help pay for water testing supplies, equipment, newsletter and notice printing and mailings, and environmental and watershed education materials. If you have questions about the sale or would like to donate a "treasure," contact Helen Lambard at 251-955-1487. 7. Websites Featured in BEN #173 Colonial Pipeline Co. Secure Alabama's Valuable Environment
(SAVE) American Lung Association Air Pollution
Fact Sheet Mobile Bay NEP Alabama Environmental Council |
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March 13, 2002 #173 1) Sen. Shelby Asks EPA
To Guarantee Pipeline Safety neighbors who cherish and protect what they have in common." - Wendell Berry and Brownfields Redevelopment. The event will be held March 21 & 22 at Birmingham- Southern College. For additional details and registration information and forms visit http://www.region2020.org 1. Sen. Shelby Asks EPA To Guarantee Pipeline Safety - Last week, in a letter sent to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christine Whitman, Alabama Senator Richard Shelby asked the agency to "guarantee" that the construction of Colonial Pipeline Co.'s $300 million petroleum pipeline will not compromise the health and safety of more than 50,000 people living in Blount County. "While I am aware that pipelines generally provide a safe method of delivering petroleum products to our communities, there are outstanding health and safety issues along the proposed route that are troubling," Sen. Shelby wrote. Advocates against the Colonial 225 mile pipeline route claim that a pipeline break in Blount County would be disastrous, because most residents get their water from groundwater sources. For more information about the proposed pipeline visit Colonial Pipeline's website at - http://www.colpipe.com/ex_welcome.asp. You can also visit SAVE's website at http://www.geocities.com/nocolonialpipeline/ 2. Tuscaloosa Could Violate Proposed Air Standards - According to the Tuscaloosa News, a possible tightening of federal environmental regulations could put Tuscaloosa in violation of several air quality standards within two years. Ron Gore, chief of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's air quality division stated in the News report that the federal government could place more stringent standards for airborne fine particles into effect as early as 2004. If this happens, Tuscaloosa most likely would be in violation of these standards and would have to take steps to correct the problem. Presently, EPA is taking steps to control
fine particle emissions by proposing a new tighter standard,
known as PM-2.5. Under this standard, a single testing site cannot
have a three-year average greater than 15 micrograms per square
meter. In 1999, the first year measurements were taken
for the new standard in Tuscaloosa, the region averaged 17.4
micrograms per square meter. In 2000, the average was 18.6.
At its present rate, Tuscaloosa would be in violation of the
proposed new standard, according to state For more information about the fine particle PM-2.5. standard visit the American Lung Association's website at http://www.lungusa.org/air/pm_factsheet99.html 3. Mobile Bay Estuary Program Creates New Alliance - On March 1st, Governor Don Siegelman approved a three party agreement between the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (NEP), Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that will significantly improve the management, protection and enhancement of Alabama's coastal resources. The agreement brings the community one step closer toward implementing the Mobile Bay NEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Mobile Bay and Mobile Tensaw Delta. Under the new alliance, the Mobile Bay NEP will partner formally with the Department of Conservation to take the comprehensive plan beyond the planning stages and into implementation. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab will serve as the host institution and fiscal agent for the Mobile Bay NEP. The three groups will focus on efforts to improve and maintain water, fish and wildlife habitat, and living resource populations. They will also help eliminate duplication of efforts and streamline information for natural resource management. To learn more about the NEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Mobile Bay and Mobile Tensaw Delta visit their website at http://www.mobilebaynep.com/Publications.htm 4. Alabama Ranked 2nd in Drinking Water Quality - Here is some encouraging news. The EPA has ranked Alabama second in the nation for water system compliance. The EPA report includes 2001 inventory data and violations data for community water supply systems that are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. A community water supply system supplies drinking water on a daily basis to people who live in a certain area and includes cities, towns, rural water supply systems and trailer parks. The recent EPA report outlined the fact that on a national level 4,813, or 9% of the nation's 53,783 community water supply systems reported 7,724 violations of either maximum contaminant levels or treatment techniques. Some individual states reported that more than 30% of their community water supply systems documented violations. In Alabama, only 23 of the state's 583 community water systems or 3% reported a total of 24 violations of either maximum contaminant levels or treatment techniques. Alabama came in second to Rhode Island (a much smaller system) for the least number of violations. For more information on Alabama public water supply systems, contact Joe Power, Drinking Water Branch Chief at ADEM (334) 271-7774. 5. New Water Resources and Solid Waste Legislation Introduced - Last week, long awaited legislation amending the Alabama Water Resources Act was introduced in the Alabama legislature. A bill changing the state's solid waste law has also been introduced. The following is a description of the legislation: HB & SB 397 - This bill prohibits municipalities with a population under 15,000 to enact a solid waste management plan. The legislation also requires referendum approval for solid waste plans in unincorporated areas of a county. Sponsored by Rep. Major and Sen. Escott-Russell. HB 589 & SB 496 - This bill transfers water resources enforcement authority from the Environmental Management Department (ADEM) to the Office of Water Resources. Sponsored by Rep. Lindsey and Sen. Dial. HB 590 & SB 494 - This bill amends the Alabama Water Resources Act. For persons legally entitled to use waters of the State, a declaration of beneficial use must be submitted prior to construction of a facility. Sponsored by Rep. Lindsey and Sen. Dial. 6. BEN Notes: Ireland Wildlife Art Contest, AEC's 35th Annual Meeting, AEC Names New Director, Wolf Bay's Trash & Treasure Sale Ireland Wildlife Art Contest - The Alabama Wildlife Federation is teaming up again with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to promote this year's Ireland Youth Wildlife Art Contest and the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest throughout Alabama. Both contests are open to all public, private and home school students in grades K-12 across Alabama. The deadline for both contests is March 15, 2002. The top winners are awarded plaques and art supplies at an awards banquet. For additional details about entering the Ireland Youth Art Contest, please contact the AWF at 1-800-822-9453. If you have questions regarding the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, please contact Kathy Whaley at 256-350-6639. AEC's 35th Annual Meeting - The Alabama Environmental Council (AEC) will be holding its 35th Annual Meeting, this Saturday, March 16th at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. This year's subject will be "Alabama's Air: Pollution and Solutions." Registration is $10. For more information call 205-322-3126 or visit the AEC website at http://www.aeconline.ws AEC Names New Director - Due to changes in family circumstances, Rachel Reinhart resigned in early March her position as executive director of the Alabama Environmental Council. The AEC board of directors have tapped Watchdog Program Coordinator Jayme Hill to be the AEC's new executive director. Wolf Bay's Trash & Treasure Sale - Wolf Bay Watershed Watch will be holding their semiannual Trash & Treasure fundraiser, Saturday, March 30th from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the historic Miflin Community Center in Baldwin County. Proceeds from the sale help pay for water testing supplies, equipment, newsletter and notice printing and mailings, and environmental and watershed education materials. If you have questions about the sale or would like to donate a "treasure," contact Helen Lambard at 251-955-1487. 7. Websites Featured in BEN #173 Colonial Pipeline Co. Secure Alabama's Valuable Environment
(SAVE) American Lung Association Air Pollution
Fact Sheet Mobile Bay NEP Alabama Environmental Council |