May 12, 2004
#224
1) American Lung Ranks Birmingham 6th In Particle Pollution
2) Birmingham Designated "Non-Attainment" On Ground-Level Ozone Standard
3) Alabama Forestry Association Landowners Poll
4) 1st Annual Coastal BirdFest
5) BEN Notes: AEC Green Tie Affair, Bay Bash VII, Urban Forestry Grants Deadline May 31st, Ruffner Mountain Job Opening, Scenic Alabama Poll
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Music at McClellan with The Alabama Symphony Orchestra
The former Fort McClellan in Anniston comes back to life with The Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
Surrounded by the new Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge and on the site of the nation's most successful base cleanup effort; the concerts will feature musical legends and Alabama's own symphony. Under the stars, a beautiful outdoor setting, great music - a can't miss event.
The concerts will be held on May 22-29- June 5 and June 12 at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $15. For more info go to http://www.jsu.edu/depart/epic/mcclellan/musicmcclellan.htm
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6th Annual Livable Cities Conference
If you care about Smart Growth and Livable Cities make plans to attend the 6th Annual Livable Cities Conference to be held May 12-14 at Birmingham Southern College.
Registration is $30, which includes lunch on the 13th. For more details about the event download the brochure at http://www.bsc.edu/sec/news/default.html or contact the Southern Environmental Center at 205-226-4934 or email rhazelho@bsc.edu
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Every Earth Day people ask the question. What can I do to protect the environment?
This Earth Day, you can help protect and preserve special places throughout this country by signing the Americans Saving American Places (ASAP) petition. It is very easy to do. Just log on to:
http://www.asap2004.org
Read up about the importance of the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and then sign the petition at the site. It is very easy to do, and you will be joining an effort to garner over a million signatures from citizens who want to save the special places we all cherish throughout this country.
For just a couple of minutes of your time you can truly celebrate Earth Day - doing your part for the environment.
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1. American Lung Ranks Birmingham 6th In Particle Pollution - According to a report released by the American Lung Association (ALA), the Birmingham Area ranks 6th in the nation for particle pollution.
The tiny, sooty particles in question are about one-thirtieth the width of a human hair or smaller. They are produced by combustion engines, power plants and other pollution sources ranging from wood and trash burning to diesel engines. Particle pollution is often considered a more serious health problem than ozone air pollution.
New more stringent air quality standards concerning particle pollution have recently been created by EPA. Because its annual particle pollution average failed to meet the new standards from 2000 to 2002, Birmingham is expected to fail the new standards when EPA makes its formal designations. Despite this news, ADEM's Air Quality Chief Ron Gore did point out in a Birmingham News article improvement in last year's 2003 air quality statistics that were not used in the ALA report.
According to the Lung Association 159 million people live in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particles. This year, the Birmingham did not make the nation's list for worst ozone areas. To read the entire Lung Association report go to http://www.lungusa.org .
2. Birmingham Designated "Non-Attainment" On Ground-Level Ozone Standard - After more than a quarter of a century, the Birmingham area finally complied with EPA's one-hour standard for ozone pollution this spring. For just a few days, Birmingham was officially in "attainment" of ozone air quality standards.
Unfortunately, just days after receiving official attainment status from the EPA, the Birmingham area has been designated "basic nonattainment" because the region does not comply with the new and more stringent eight - hour air quality ozone standard.
"Today's action is administrative in nature; it does not reflect a worsening of air quality in Jefferson and Shelby counties," said Voris Williams, coordinator of Alabama Partners for Clean Air (APCA). "In fact, air quality in the Birmingham region has improved in recent years."
Birmingham now has until 2009 to achieve compliance with the new eight hour standard. In the next 36 months the state of Alabama must develop a plan - in consultation with local officials to attain the eight-hour standard and submit it EPA for approval. For more information about ozone pollution and what you can do to advocate for clean air, go to http://www.alabamacleanair.com
3. Alabama Forestry Association Landowners Poll - In 2003, the Alabama Forestry Association commissioned a comprehensive survey of 300 Alabama forest landowners. The survey identified many of the interests, needs and attitudes of Alabama's forests owners. Here are some of the study's results. (Editor's Note: Approximately 75% of Alabama's forest land is owned by more than 220,000 non-industrial forestowners)
Importance of Roles for Forests in Alabama
First Most Important - Providing Timber & Wood Products 55%, Providing Wildlife Habitat 31% Enhancing the Beauty of the State 6% , Providing Recreational Opportunities 4% , Providing Wilderness Areas 4%
Second Most Important - Providing Timber & Wood Products 17% , Providing Wildlife Habitat 44% Enhancing the Beauty of the State 19% , Providing Recreational Opportunities 10% , Providing Wilderness Areas 10%
Third Most Important - Providing Timber & Wood Products 10% , Providing Wildlife Habitat 13% Enhancing the Beauty of the State 31% , Providing Recreational Opportunities 28% , Providing Wilderness Areas 18%
Educational Topics Most Important To Landowners
First Most Important - Wildlife Conservation 28% , Marketing Your Timber 24% , Best Forest Management Practices 21% , Forest Taxation Issues 10% , Educational Opportunities On Your Land 5% , Recreational Opportunities On Your Land 4% , Leasing your Forestland for Hunting 4% , Threatened & Endangered Species Conservation 3%
Second Most Important - Wildlife Conservation 24% , Marketing Your Timber 19% , Best Forest Management Practices 13% , Forest Taxation Issues 11% , Educational Opportunities On Your Land 7% , Recreational Opportunities On Your Land 10% , Leasing your Forestland for Hunting 8% , Threatened & Endangered Species Conservation 8%
Third Most Important - Wildlife Conservation 17% , Marketing Your Timber 17% , Best Forest Management Practices 14% , Forest Taxation Issues 11% , Educational Opportunities On Your Land 12% , Recreational Opportunities On Your Land 12% , Leasing your Forestland for Hunting 9% , Threatened & Endangered Species Conservation 8%
For more information on this report visit http://www.mriresearch.com or call 850-433-9191.
4. 1st Annual Coastal BirdFest - Organizers for Alabama's first Annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest have announced the dates and a website for this very special event.
The event will be held October 14-17, all along the coast and the 240 mile long Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. Faulkner State Community College and numerous sponsors will be hosting the event. To register and check out the schedule call 251-990-0423 or go http://www.mobilebayaudubon.org/birdfest
5. BEN Notes: AEC Green Tie Affair, Bay Bash VII, Urban Forestry Grants Deadline May 31st, Ruffner Mountain Job Opening, Scenic Alabama Poll
AEC Green Tie Affair - The Alabama Environmental Council will be holding their 8th Annual "Green Tie Affair" this weekend on Saturday, May 15th, 7:00 PM at One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue North in Birmingham. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. There will be great food, a silent auction and music by B & The Buzz. This year's live auction will be conducted by WBRC's Jeh Jeh Pruitt. For more details about this event go to http://www.aeconline.ws or call at 205-322-3126.
Bay Bash VII - Mobile Bay Watch will be holding their big fundraiser for the spring - Bay Bash VII on May 22, 3:00 to 7:00 PM at USS Alabama Battleship Park in Mobile. Tickets are $35 and can be bought by calling 251-433-4229. For additional details visit http://www.mobilebaywatch.org .
Urban Forestry Grants Deadline May 31st - The deadline to submit a grant proposal to the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program is May 31st. Go to http://www.aces.edu/ucf/ for guidelines and an application. Contact Neil Letson, letsonn@forestry.state.al.us or call 334-240-9360 for more details.
Ruffner Mountain Job Opening - Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham is seeking a Teaching Naturalist/Wildlife Caretaker. Resumes can be faxed to 205-836-3960 or mailed to Ruffner Mountain, Naturalist Position, 1214 South 81st Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35206. No phone calls please. A college degree is required (biology, environmental science, etc.). and 2 years work experience in a related field. Salary: $23,000. Benefits include health insurance and 403 (b) retirement plan.
Scenic Alabama Poll - Scenic Alabama is conducting an online poll to determine Alabama's three worst eyesores. The nominees are: Interstate 65 near Athens, Alabama, The Foley Beach Express and Interstate 20 near Anniston. To vote go to http://scenicalabama.homestead.com/poll.html
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The Bama Environmental News is edited and published by Pat Byington.