September 22, 1999
1. Alabama's Worst Case Scenarios: Potential Toxic Accidents
on the Web
2. Montgomery Advertiser Hog Factory Editorial
3. ALDOT Looking Into Mass Transit
4. Forest Service Introduces a Fall Color Hotline
5. Events Throughout Alabama : EcoFest, Forever Wild Meeting,
TREASURED Forest Conference, "Gendered Environments",
BirdFest 99, TREASURED Forest Conference, AWF Event, Ruffner Mountain
Schedule, Sipsey Swamp Tour
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"I am constantly amazed at the created world, astounded that
it is there - its size, its complexity and intricacy, its beauty.
I feel like a beggar walking through a Tiffany store." -
Father Henry Fehren
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1. Alabama's Worst Case Scenarios: Potential Toxic Accidents
on the Web - As a result of the 1990 Clean Air Act, the government
requires manufacturers, wastewater treatment plants and chemical
companies across the nation to file worst- case scenarios, spelling
out the effects of hypothetical spills, explosions or other catastrophes
that could occur at an industrial or muncipal site.
Now, despite some second thoughts by federal officials concerned
about terrorism, much of the information is available on the web.
The "Right to Know" website operated by OMB Watch and
the Unison Institute contains summaries of risk management plans
for 192 Alabama facilities.
There is a worst-case scenario, and an alternate scenario considered to be slightly more realistic. Some scenarios contend that the dangers will be contained on company property, while some companies are very specific. For example, the Occidental chemical plant in Muscle Shoals said the chlorine release in its worst case scenario potentially would expose 85,000 people within 14 miles of the plant to a hazardous chlorine vapor cloud.
By releasing this information, advocates of "Right to Know" believe that the public will be more informed about possible emergencies in their neighborhoods and can work with their local facility to prevent such accidents. To access the reports visit http://www.rtk.net
2. Montgomery Hog Factory Editorial - Here are some excerpts
on flooding and hog farms, from a Montgomery Advertiser editorial
that appeared Monday September 20th. "N.C. Floods Hold Lesson
for State" - "When Hurricane Floyd dumped huge rainfall
totals on North Carolina last week, it not only flooded thousands
of homes but exposed an environmental threat that has implications
for Alabama as well - the wastewater lagoons created by huge "hog
farms."
Several waste lagoons on North Carolina hog farms reached or exceeded their capacities, and at least one ruptured, spilling 2 million gallons of sewage waste into Cape Fear. More than 20 communities and 200 swine farmers reported wastewater problems. The entire water supplies of two entire counties were contaminated, although not all of the contamination was not caused by hog operations. Hog farming is a relatively new development for Alabama, and it is not practiced on anything like the scale here that it is in North Carolina. But agricultural officials believe Alabama has the potential to develop more such farms. Anytime you concentrate thousands of hogs in a limited area, you also concentrate their waste. And if that waste is released into the environment, the results can be catastrophic, as North Carolinians can attest.
... To its credit, last year the Alabama Department of Environmental Management adopted new standards for animal farming operations that concentrate large numbers of animals such as hog farms. but the experience of North Carolina last week should prompt ADEM officials to look again at those regulations to see if they are stringent enough. The agency especially should consider whether the distance waste lagoons must be located away from streams - now 100 feet - should be increased dramatically. It also should reassess whether the regulations provide ample protection if Alabama is faced with flooding on the scale brought to North Carolina by Hurricane Floyd."
3. ALDOT Looking into Mass Transit - After years of ignoring pleas from mass transit advocates, state transportation officials say they are looking for ways to provide and expand public transportation in communities across Alabama. Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Director Mac Roberts told the Alabama Legislature's Joint Highway Committee last week that he and the department are examining public transportation systems in other states and may propose legislation. Roberts also said, the next step will be to gather legislators, advocacy groups, state agency officials, and transit representatives to discuss ways to beef up public transportation.
These statements by the Director of ALDOT is truly a breakthrough
for mass transit in Alabama. If you are interested in learning
more about this issue, and supporting mass transit, please contact
Alabama Arise at 334-832-9060 or visit their website at http://www.alarise.org
4. Forest Service Introduces a Fall Color Hotline - The
U. S. Forest Service has set up a toll-free Fall color hotline
to assist visitors to national forests. By calling 1-800-354-4595,
callers will reach an automated voice system with weekly updates
on peak color in different regions of the country. You can also
receive the same information by visiting the Forest Service's
website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/fall.shtml
Some of Alabama's most popular viewing routes include the Talladega
Scenic Drive from Interstate 20 in East Alabama, Alabama 195 to
Double Springs, Alabama 5 from Brent, Interstate 85 from the Tuskegee
National Forest, and the Conecuh National Forest near the Alabama
/Florida line.
5. Events Throughout Alabama - Many of Alabama's environmental
and conservation organizations are planning some exciting events
for the Fall. Here some of the events and important meetings that
have crossed our desk over the past week.
Eco Fest 1999 - The Southern Environmental Center will be holding its inaugural Eco Fest Benefit, Tuesday October 5, 6:00 to 9:00 at the Southern Progress Building. Music will be provided by the Marian McKay Trio, there will be sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, beverages and a live auction. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information please call 205-226-4934. This is a can't miss event!
Gendered Environments - The Fourth Biennial Associated Colleges
of the South Women's Studies Conference will be held at Birmingham
Southern College, October 15-17. This year's conference will focus
on women and the environment, with nationally renown speakers
Lois Gibbs, director of the Center for Health, Environment and
Justice and Winona LaDuke, 1996 vice-presidential candidate (along
with Ralph Nader) for the Green Party. Please contact Jane Archer
(205-226-4667) at Birmingham Southern College for registration
details.
BirdFest 99 - The Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) will be
holding "BirdFest 99" at Dauphin Island, October 8th
to October 10th. There will be outstanding seminars and workshops,
along with field trips. For registration information call 1-800-382-2696.
The deadline is October 1st.
Alabama Landowner and TREASURED Forest Conference - The annual
TREASURED Forest Landowner Conference is scheduled to be held
in Tuscaloosa October 7-8. This is a great educational conference
for forest owners. For more additional details visit http://www.forestry.state.al.us/current_events.htm
or call 334-240-9355.
Wildlife and Outdoor Photography Conference - On Saturday October
16th between 10-3:30, the Alabama Wildlife Federation AWF is sponsoring
a Wildlife and Outdoor Photography short-course, to be held at
the Wehle Nature Center near Eufaula Alabama. Professional outdoor
photographer Paul Brown will giving the seminar. This will be
a great opportunity for people interested in photography and wildlife.
People can register by calling 1-800-822-9453.
October Events At Ruffner Mountain - Night Hike - Experience the
autumn forest in a different way.... in the dark. Take Ruffner
Mountain's Night Hike on Saturday, October 9 from 7 - 9 p.m. Walk
through the deepening dusk and watch for the resident bats to
emerge; listen for the sounds of the forest night. Then discover
your night vision as you return in the new moon's darkness. The
hike will be led by our experienced staff naturalist. It is suitable
for adults and children 10 and older. Cost is $3 per person ($2
members).
Wine, Cheese & Sunset Hike - Ruffner Mountain's popular Wine, Cheese and Sunset Hike will be held October 16. Following a guided hike to Hawk's View Overlook, guests can watch the glowing autumn sunset over the valley, while sipping chilled wine and enjoying light snacks. The fee for this unique experience is $7.50 per person and you must be 21 years or older to participate. Participation is limited; reservations are required and must be made by October 12.
Haunted Mountain - October 29-31, 7 - 10 p.m. -An almost moonless
night... the wind rustles through the leaves... who knows what
lurks behind that tree up ahead? Come to Ruffner Mountain's famous
Halloween event, Haunted Mountain, if you dare to be scared. You'll
see spooky scenes, and a ghost or two; scary surprises await on
the trail ahead! Come in costume or not, for a fun fright. Admission
is $3 per person. For more information about Ruffner Mountain
call 205-833-8264 (weekends 833-8112)
Regional Transportation Mobility - Light Rail Transit Feasibility
Study - Want to be a part of making light rail a reality in the
Birmingham Metro area? The Birmingham Regional Planning Commission
is holding several public meetings on the subject. Please take
in one of these meetings and provide your input. Meetings are
scheduled for: Sept. 22 - Bessemer Civic Center 4-7, Sept. 23
-Raytheon Engineers 4-7, Sept. 27 - Irondale Public Library 5-7:30,
Sept. 28 - Parkway Christian Academy 4-7 and Sept 29 - Hoover
Council Chambers 4-7. For more information call the BRPC at 251-8139.
New Forever Wild Sipsey Swamp Preserve Tour - Come tour Forever
Wild's newest acquisition the Sipsey Swamp on Saturday Sept 25.
Meet in the parking lot o Westwood Elementary at 10:00. The school
can be easily reached by following U.S. Highway 82 West from Tuscaloosa
for about 10 miles to the Coker area. Turn left on Tuscaloosa
County Road 2. A highway direction sign for the school is located
at this turn. Follow County 2 for about a quarter mile, and the
school will be on the left.
Bring lunch, sunscreen and binoculars. The tour will leave Westwood
Elementary a little after 10:00 a.m. and should be rapped up around
2:00 or 3:00 p.m. For additional information on the tour contact
Ken Wills of the Alabama Environmental Council at naturalwonders@alenvironmentalcouncil.org
or (205) 322-3126 or Greg Lein at glein@dcnr.state.al.us
or (334) 242-3484.
Please share BEN with friends and fellow conservationists.
If you have any questions about BEN, contact Pat Byington at
205-226-7739 or pkbyington@aol.com
