Hey Friends,
We at ARA hope you and your community had a wonderful summer! Did you get a chance to enjoy your local body of water during this summer? Have you noticed any differences in water quality?
Questions:
- How’s the conditions of the streams in your watershed?
- Do they meet their designated use?
- Is any pollution impairing your stream?
The Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires that each state identify those waters that do not currently support designated uses, and to establish a priority ranking of these waters by taking into account the severity of the pollution and the designated uses of such waters.
Our state has issued a public notice for residents and citizens to comments for Alabama’s 303(d) list. Its vital to have the eyes and ears of the river (that’s you) submit information into the state.
Important information and links:
- Find your waterway’s designated use and the 303 (d) listings here. If your local stream is already impaired and has a Total Maximum Daily Load, you may find ithere.
- Here’s a link to the 2012 303(d) Fact Sheet on Alabama.
- Please search ADEM’s website for other data.
If you have more questions, please call or email us.
We love our 77,000 miles of rivers and streams, the live they give, their invaluable assets, and those who protect and preserve them!
—
Adam Johnston
Alabama Rivers Alliance 2014 6th Ave North, Suite 200
Alliance Coordinator Birmingham, Al 35203
www.alabamarivers.org 205.322.6395
Adam Johnston
Alabama Rivers Alliance 2014 6th Ave North, Suite 200
Alliance Coordinator Birmingham, Al 35203
www.alabamarivers.org 205.322.6395
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management posted a public notice on September 1, regarding the listing of impaired streams on the State’s 303(d) list. (This is the list of impaired and threatened waters that the Clean Water Act requires all states to submit for EPA approval every two years on even-numbered years.)
The notice warrants two types of action from two different audiences:
For Scientists, Techies, and Wonks: the Department is accepting comments on the 303(d) listing methodology they will use to assess the waters of the state. This is your chance to comment on the science that ADEM is using to determine whether our waters are impaired. If there are better policies or ways of doing things, this is your opportunity to get that information in front of the Department
For the rest of us: the Department is soliciting data and information for consideration during preparation of the actual 303(d) list. This means that, if you know of streams in your watershed that are impaired and not meeting their designated uses this is your opportunity to submit data to ADEM to have the streams listed on the 303(d) list.
How to take action
Data, information, and comments should be submitted to Joseph Roy, Water Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463 (street address: 1400 Coliseum Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36110-2059). Mr. Roy’s phone number is 334-270-5635. His email address is jtr@adem.state.al.us.
The clock is running!
Data, information, and comments must be received by the Department prior to 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2013.
Alabama Rivers Alliance 