February 21, 2006

#258

1) ADEM Annual Report Numbers
2) President's Budget Proposes Public Land Sale
3) Forever Wild Tag Nets $200,000
4) List of Impaired Rivers Released
5) BEN Notes:  Legacy Annual Partnership Conference, Derelict Crab Trap Removal Day, Youth Wildlife Art Contests, WildPaths Project, Outdoor Classroom/Schoolyard Habitat Planning Guide, Auntie Litter Videos Available, Land Trust of Huntsville Outdoor Schedule, Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers Land Trust Name Change


1. ADEM Annual Report Numbers - Last month, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) released their Fiscal Year 2005 report. Check out some of the Department's "vital statistics."

Permits Issued - 7,327
Facilities observed/inspected - 25,992
Administrative orders - 127
Administrative penalties - $1.38 million
Complaints investigated - 1,690
Emergency responses - 406
Air monitoring stations maintained - 233
Water monitoring stations maintained - 1,057
Lab samples collected - 9,368

Budget Breakdown

Federal Grants $27,255,226 - 55% of ADEM's Budget
Department Fees/Fines $17,958,411 - 37%
State General Funds $3,976,274 - 8%

ADEM had 643 employees budgeted in 2005 and was awarded 79 federal grants for environmental protection from the EPA and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

To view the entire Annual Report, go to http://www.adem.state.al.us.

2. President's Budget Proposes Public Land Sale - According to an analysis of the President's proposed FY 2007 budget, nearly $1 billion worth of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands are targeted for privatization. Approximately, 170,000-200,000 acres of Forest Service land and 500,000 acres of BLM land in the West have been slated for sale.

In Alabama, 3,220 acres of land has been identified for privatization. In the South, or Region 8, 55,862 acres could be lost from the sell off. To learn more about this proposal to sell America's public lands go to http://www.tws.org/NewsRoom/Statement/20060209.cfm.

3. Forever Wild Tag Nets $200,000 - Since 1992, Alabama's Forever Wild Land Trust has purchased 48 tracts of land, totaling 113,272 acres for public use. One of the most successful land protection programs in the Southeast, Forever Wild has preserved some of Alabama's most significant ecological areas, including the 39,795 acre Mobile Tensaw Delta tract and the recently purchased 12,510 acre Walls of Jericho Tract in north Jackson County. (for info on Forever Wild's tracts go to http://www.outdooralabama.com/public-lands/statelands/foreverwild.

Several years ago, led by Alabama environmental advocate Joe Copeland, the Forever Wild Program created it's own car tag to raise funds. Last year, for FY 2005 the Forever Wild car tag funds brought in $208,616. Next year, the car tag program hopes to raise $300,000, and has a goal of raising $750,000 annually. All proceeds go directly to the Forever Wild program.

For more info about the Forever Wild car tag call or email Joe Copeland at joec@powernet.org or 256-287-1652. You can purchase the tag at all county courthouses and annexes throughout the state.

4.  List of Impaired Rivers Released - Last week, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management released it's draft Section 303 (d) list of impaired waters for the year 2006. According to the Birmingham News, the number of impaired lake, river and stream segments has increased in the past four years from 181 to 210.

Presently, ADEM is asking for a public review and comments about the list. To review this document and learn how to make comments go to http://www.adem.state.al.us/WaterDivision/WQuality/303d/WQ303d.htm.

5. BEN Notes:  Legacy Annual Partnership Conference, Derelict Crab Trap Removal Day, Youth Wildlife Art Contests, WildPaths Project, Outdoor Classroom/Schoolyard Habitat Planning Guide, Auntie Litter Videos Available, Land Trust of Huntsville Outdoor Schedule, Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers Land Trust Name Change

Legacy Annual Partnership Conference - Legacy will be holding it's Annual Partnership Conference this year on March 1st through 3rd at the Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile. To register, go to http://www.legacyenved.org/events/events_conf.htm.

Derelict Crab Trap Removal Day - The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program will be holding it's annual Derelict Crab Trap Removal Day on March 11th. For additional info, visit their website at http://www.mobilebaynep.com/Crab%20Stuff/Crab_Trap/Crab%20Trap%20Program.htm or call Lee Yokel at 251-431-6409.

Youth Wildlife Art Contests - The deadline for the Alabama Wildlife Federation's Ireland Youth Wildlife Art Contest and the Federal, Jr. Duck Stamp Competition is March 15th. Both contests are open to all k-12 students in Alabama. For more info, visit the conservation education section of AWF's website at http://www.alabamawildlife.org.

WildPaths Project - Check out "WildPaths" a wonderful program between the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and the Alabama Wildlife Federation. The program provides job training opportunities for adults with disabilities creating handcrafted bluebird boxes, wood duck boxes and bird feeders. Learn more about the program at http://www.Wildpaths.org.

Outdoor Classroom/Schoolyard Habitat Planning Guide - Interested in hands-on schoolyard habitat environmental education? Order your copy of the Alabama Wildlife Federation's Outdoor Classroom/Schoolyard Habitat Planning Guide at 1-800-822-9453.

Auntie Litter Videos Available - In partnership with the Alabama Partners for Clean Air, Auntie Litter has been producing clean air videos and curriculum for Jefferson and Shelby County schools in grades 3-8. For more info about the program and Auntie Litter's calendar of events call 205-879-3009 or go to http://www.auntielitter.org.

Land Trust of Huntsville Outdoor Schedule - The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama has released their 2006 Spring Burst Hike calendar. You can access the calendar at http://www.landtrust-hsv.org.

Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers Land Trust Name Change - The Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers Land Trust has changed it's name to the Freshwater Land Trust. Learn more about the land trust - and their efforts to create Red Mountain Park.