August 5, 2003
#205
1) Chemical Weapons Incinerator Set To Start Up
2) Trashing Alabama's Coast: 2002 Coastal Cleanup Statistics
3) States Agree On ACF Water Pact Principles
4) 57,812 Alabamians Walk to Work
5) Auburn Solar Car Finishes 12th in 2400 Mile Race
6) BEN Notes: AEC Seeking Program Coordinator, Jones Valley Urban Farm Seeking Part-time Workers, WRATT Emissions Test In Birmingham Rail-Volution 2003, JSU-GIS Program, Conservation Easement Workshop, Onsite Wastewater Management Workshop
*******************************************************
1.Chemical Weapons Incinerator Set To Start Up - Last week was an eventful one concerning the chemical weapons incinerator in Anniston, Alabama.
On July 26th, Governor Bob Riley announced his intention not to sign an agreement with the Army over the chemical weapons incinerator, stating he should be able to stop "the burn" if he felt the Army had not fulfilled its commitments to Anniston and the state.
The Army plans to incinerate 661,529 artillery shells, rockets and mines stored in earthen bunkers at the Anniston Army Depot. The operation is expected to take 9 to 10 years to complete, costing about $2.3 billion. The Anniston base is one of eight sites around the country where the Army has stored the Cold War era chemical weapons. Under an international treaty, the United States has agreed to destroy the weapons.
A few days after the Governor's announcement, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management issued a permit allowing the Army to begin burning chemical weapons in Anniston. To learn more about the ADEM approval of the permit, visit their website at: http://www.adem.state.al.us/PressReleases/2003/7ANNISTON%20.htm. On Thursday, August 1st, the Army announced its intention to begin operating the incinerator on Wednesday, August 6th.
In response to these actions, several local and national organizations, including Serving Alabama's Future Environment and the Chemical Weapons Working Group, have filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against the start-up of the incinerator. To learn more about the "motion" and the groups' concerns about the incinerator visit - http://www.cwwg.org/pr_08.04.03altro.html .
The Army has planned several briefings about the incinerator for the public. The first meeting was held on Monday August 4th. A second meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 5th at the Anniston Community Outreach Office at 11 East Tenth Street in Anniston at 5 p.m and 7 p.m.
2. Trashing Alabama's Coast: 2002 Coastal Cleanup Statistics - One of Alabama's most successful cleanup programs is the Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. Held every September for the last 15 years, the program is supported by thousands of volunteers.
In a recent article published in "Alabama Current Connection," Phillip Hinesley wrote a wonderful article about the program and provided some incredible statistics. Check these out:
2002 15th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup Figures:
The 16th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup will be held on September 20th. If you are interested in supporting this very successful program, contact Amy King, Public Education and Outreach Coordinator, state Lands Division office at 251-929-0900.
3. States Agree On ACF Water Pact Principles - On July 21st, the governors of Alabama, Georgia and Florida agreed on the principles on how to share water flowing through their states.
The agreement hopes to settle a decade long dispute over water rights in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river basin. Earlier this year the governors came to a tentative agreement concerning the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) river basin. The three governors hope to sign off on an outline of the major points of the plan sometime in August. An ACF agreement would determine water usage between the three states for the next four decades.
4. 57,812 Alabamians Walk to Work - Here are some interesting statistics about "walking" in Alabama from the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) out of Washington D.C.
For more information about "Walking in Alabama" visit the STPP website at: http://www.transact.org/report.asp?id=205.
5. Auburn Solar Car Finishes 12th in 2400 Mile Race - War Solar! Last month, Auburn University's solar car entry into the American Solar Challenge Race finished 12th place overall.
The project, which drew 51 teams with cars from universities across the country, was a 2400 mile, 11 day journey, starting in Chicago, traveling along Route 66 and ending up in Claremont, California. The Auburn car was one of only 20 cars that met the safety requirements and completed the race on time.
6. BEN Notes: AEC Seeking Program Coordinator, Jones Valley Urban Farm Seeking Part-time Workers, WRATT Emissions Test In Birmingham, Rail-Volution 2003, JSU-GIS Program, Conservation Easement Workshop, Onsite Wastewater Management Workshop
AEC Seeking Program Coordinator - The Alabama Environmental Council is seeking a skilled and energetic individual to fill the Program Coordinator position at its State Office located in Birmingham. This position requires office and field work; a scientific background is a plus. Commitment to environmental advocacy and understanding of environmental ethics are necessary. The position is full-time with benefits. Please fax your resume to 205-324-3784 or mail to 2717 7th Ave. South, Suite 207, Birmingham, Alabama 35233.
Jones Valley Urban Farm Seeking Part-time Workers - The Jones Valley Urban Farm on Birmingham's Southside is seeking help in maintaining its urban farm. Learn the A to Z's of gardening, green house maintenance, mulching, harvesting and watering techniques. No experience necessary. 10-15 hours a week. 3 positions available August-October - 3 positions available for the spring. Call 205-254-8742 or send resume to Jones Valley Urban Farm, P.O. Box 55357, Birmingham, Alabama 35255 or jvuf@hotmail.com.
WRATT Emissions Test In Birmingham - The WRATT Foundation will be conducting a free vehicle emissions testing event from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on August 11th at Lakeshore Rehab, 4000 Ridgeway Drive in Birmingham. The test only takes 1-2 minutes and drivers do not need to leave their cars. Contact WRATT at 800-766-4701 if you need additional info.
Rail-Volution 2003 - Say you want a "Rail-Volution"! On September 10-14 in Atlanta, Georgia, a national conference featuring 60 workshops on livable communities, smart growth, public health and transit will help "plant" the seeds for groups and individuals interested in bettering their communities. Check out this very exciting conference at http://www.railvolution.com.
JSU-GIS Program - Jacksonville State University is in the process of establishing an Alabama Environmental Geographic Information System (GIS) Center designed for both academic and community needs. This Center will provide Alabama-based environmental information on a geographic platform over the internet and is planned to be available in Fall 2003.
The Center will provide free access to Alabama environmental information to the public via website structure. JSU staff and students will answer most questions free of charge and provide user-project technical support. Currently the program is trying to raise $5,000 to help pay for some of the basic development costs needed to activate the Center, including design, development and testing. If you wish to help, individuals and groups are requested to send donations to: the Jacksonville State University Foundation for the "Alabama Environmental GIS Center," Dr. Howard Johnson, Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Martin Hall, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama 36265.
Conservation Easement Workshop - Conservation Easements can be a powerful tool in an effort to protect land and natural resources for future generations. On August 11-12, the Alabama Forest Resources Center, Wetlands Resources Environmental Consulting, Hand Arendall, ADCNR, State Lands, Baldwin County and the Weeks Bay Watershed Project are jointly sponsoring "A Guide to Conservation Easements" at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear. This is a can't miss workshop for professionals who work with landowners and families. Contact Michael Shelton at 251-928-9792 or email mshelton@dcnr.state.al.us for more information.
Onsite-Wastewater Management Workshop - The Weeks Bay Watershed Project, Weeks Bay Reserve and ADCNR State Lands Division will be sponsoring a one day seminar on Onsite Wastewater Management, August 14, 8:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Weeks Bay Reserve in Baldwin County. For questions about the seminar's contents, contact Mike Shelton at 251-928-9792.