1) Mobile Register Polls Alabamians On National Energy Policy
2) Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan Preservation Issues Examined
3) Mobile Area Cited for High Lead Poisoning Rates
4) JSU Professor Expands Water Testing Program
5) BEN Notes: Teacher Workshops Offered, Wanted: Scenic Byways, Alabama Water Watch Annual Meeting, Free Fishing Day In Alabama, Alabama Power's "Centsable Switch" Program, Prairie Specialist to Speak, SEC Offering EcoTours

1. Mobile Register Polls Alabamians On National Energy Policy - According to a poll conducted by the University of South Alabama Polling Group for the Mobile Register, Alabamians favor nuclear power, but not in their communities, conservation over increased energy production, and by a slight margin drilling for oil in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. The poll, which was conducted in mid May, has a 5% plus or minus margin of error. The telephone survey interviewed 416 Alabama adult residents. Here are some of the results of the poll which was released in the May 20th edition of the Sunday Mobile Register.

In order to meet future energy needs, would you approve or disapprove of building more nuclear plants in the U.S.?
55% Approve, 35% Disapprove, 10% Don't Know/No Answer

Would you approve or disapprove of the construction of a nuclear plant within 10 miles of your home?
27% Approve, 70% Disapprove, 3% DK/NA

Do you think radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants can be safely stored for hundreds of years or not?
26% Yes, 50% No, 24% DK/NA

Would you approve or disapprove of building a radioactive waste storage facility within 10 miles of your home?
15% Approve, 82% Disapprove, 3% DK/NA

In addition to nuclear power, some are proposing greater energy production from oil, natural gas and coal. Others say that increasing production from these sources will hurt the environment and that more emphasis should be placed on conservation. Which do you think is the best way to address the country's energy needs, increased production or conservation?
36% Increased Production, 44% Conservation, 12% Both, 8% DK/NA

Would you approve or disapprove of drilling for oil and natural gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
49% Approve, 43% Disapprove, 8% DK/NA

2. Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan Preservation Issues Examined - As any "birder" will tell you, Alabama is blessed with two of the most important "landing strips" in North America for migratory birds - Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan. Sunday's May 20th Mobile Register profiled these two areas and the groups fighting to preserve these ecologically significant regions.

On the front page of the Register, Environment Editor Bill Finch, wrote about the brewing battle over the development of the Fort Morgan area. The article describes the ecological importance of the area for migratory birds, the banding and scientific research that is being conducted in the region, most notably led by Alabama's own hummingbird experts Bob and Martha Sargent and the potential conflicts that are currently arising because of encroaching development.

On the other side of the bay, an article was written by Sam Hodges from the Register's Washington Bureau about the accomplishments of the Friends of Dauphin Island Audubon Sanctuary Inc. The "Friends" group has recently raised more than $200,000 to get a $100,000 match from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The monies raised allowed for the purchase of seven small lots, including Shell Mounds, an area that affords spectacular numbers and variety of warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks and other birds.

A 1997 study estimated that 10,000 people were visiting Dauphin Island annually to watch birds, contributing about $2 million annually to the local island economy. To learn more about these natural Alabama treasures, check out the Mobile Register series at:

http://www.al.com/news/mobile/?May2001/20-a417006a.html
http://www.al.com/news/mobile/?May2001/20-a416957a.html

If you want to learn more about migratory birds in Alabama and the groups fighting for their protection - contact the following groups:
Hummer/Bird Study Group - http://www.hummingbirdsplus.org/
Friends of Dauphin Island Audubon Sanctuary - http://dauphinisland.org/bird.htm
Alabama Ornithological Society - http://www.bham.net/aos/
South AL. Birding Association - http://www.alaweb.com/~kenwood/saba/index.html
Birmingham Audubon Society - http://www.birminghamaudubon.org

3. Mobile Area Cited for High Lead Poisoning Rates - A recent study released by the Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, shows that 11% of Mobile children tested for lead under age 5 have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood. Lead has been shown to cause irreversible brain damage, lowered intelligence and hyperactivity. Children under age 2 are most vulnerable and the damage can last a lifetime.

Last fall, the Mobile Register reported that since 1990, 818 children in Mobile and its suburbs were shown to have elevated levels of lead from tests conducted by the Health Department. According to the study only 3% of Mobile's children under age 5 are tested for lead poisoning. More may be screened but the results are not reported to authorities.

4. JSU Professor Expands Water Testing Program - Jacksonville State University (JSU) chemistry professor Blake Otwell wants to help Alabama residents monitor pollution in their streams. Dr. Otwell can perform 14 different types of water quality tests in his hi-tech chemistry lab at JSU's new science center. In the long run Dr. Otwell wants to do testing for free, but currently is charging a nominal fee until he finds additional funding.

For groups interested in this program, contact Dr. Blake Otwell at 256-782-5816 or email him at chemprof@mindspring.com

5. BEN Notes: Teacher Workshops Offered, Wanted: Scenic Byways, Alabama Water Watch Annual Meeting, Free Fishing Day In Alabama, Alabama Power's "Centsable Switch" Program, Prairie Specialist to Speak, SEC Offering EcoTours

Teacher Workshops Offered - The Alabama Collaborative for Environmental Education is hosting 3 "Discovering the Outdoors Teacher Training Workshops." The programs will be held at Camp McDowell (Winston County) June 18-22, Camp Beckwith (Baldwin County) June 25-29, and 4-H Center (Shelby County) July 30-Aug. 3rd. The registration fee is $35.00 and the deadline is June 1st. For additional information, please visit the Alabama Wildlife Federation website at http://www.alawild.org or call 800-822-9453.

Wanted: Scenic Byways - The Alabama Scenic Byway Advisory Council is asking people to identify Alabama's scenic byways. You can help the Scenic Byway Council by filling out their survey at http://www.alarc.org. If you have any questions about the program or survey, please call Joe Watts at 205-930-9142 or email scenicbyways@aol.com

Alabama Water Watch Annual Meeting - Come join Alabama Water Watch for their 8th Annual Meeting and Picnic on Saturday, June 16th at Auburn University's Pharmacy Auditorium. The picnic will be held at 12:30 at the Auburn University Fisheries Pavilion. Please RSVP by June 1st so the group can make sure to have enough catfish for the picnic! Call in your reservation at 1-888-844-4785.

Free Fishing Day In Alabama - "Free Fishing Day" in Alabama is scheduled for Saturday, June 9th during National Fishing Week. Approved by the Alabama Legislature, "Free Fishing Day" is offered to introduce non-anglers to the sport of fishing. Exemption of the usual fishing license requirement is statewide on that day. Some lakes may still require fees and permits and owner's permission is required to fish private ponds. For more info call Doug Darr at 334-242-3884.

Alabama Power's "Centsable Switch" Program - Want to do your part for cleaner air, reduce your use of electricity and have Alabama Power pay you! Join Alabama Power's "Centsable Switch" program. On rare weekday afternoons during the summer, when Alabama Power needs extra power to meet peak demands, customers on the "Centsable Switch" program will allow the power company to switch off their central air conditioner or heat pump for limited times during a day. You get $10 for joining plus potential credits totaling $20 on your power bill for the summer depending on the program level you choose.

The deadline to join "Centsable Switch" is June 1. You can join the program by either calling the "Centsable Switch" Hotline at 1-800-975-0060 (when you go through the telephone options hit the button asking to speak to a service representative) or visit their website at : http://www.southernco.com/alpower/centsable/centsable.asp?mnuOpco=&mnuType=&mnuItem=

Prarie Specialist to Speak - Marc Pastorek, a Cajun prairie specialist from Mississippi, will be speaking to the Blanche Dean Chapter of the Alabama Wildflower Society, Monday, June 4th, 7:00 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. For people interested in restoring Alabama's "Black Belt" prairie this presentation will be a good primer on the subject.

SEC Offering EcoTours - The Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern College will be offering Eco Urban Tours for the Fall of 2001. Their first tour will be a visit to Philadelphia/Pittsburgh (nothing beats Pennsylvania in the Fall). Lodge in America's first 4 star Eco-Smart Hotel and tour Rachel Carson's homestead. For more information about this exciting new program call Shelly Green at 205-980-1914. Spaces on these tours are limited - so reserve your spot today.

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