Bama Environmental News - BEN
http://www.BamaNews.com
June 10, 2007 #286
1) Environmental Commission Committee Denies Cancer Risk Rule
2) Beach Mouse Prevents Construction of Condos On Fort Morgan Peninsula
3) Study: Alabama Ranks 46th in Energy Efficiency
4) BEN Notes: Environmental Council Seeking Director, Teaching Position at Turtle Point Science Center, JSU Breaks Ground on New Little River Canyon Center, 2007 Water Resources Conference at Auburn University, Alabama Nature Center to Open, Black Warrior Riverkeeper MySpace Supporters Reach 10,000, Black Warrior Riverkeepers Benefit, Mobile Manatees to be Tracked, Commute Smart in Birmingham
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Please check out today's Birmingham News Sunday Commentary that was written by BEN editor and publisher Pat Byington. You can access the article at the following link.
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Check out the transcript of this recent address given by former President Bill Clinton at Harvard College Class Day 2007. Link to the transcript here -
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1. Environmental Commission Committee Denies Cancer Risk Rule - On June 1st, the Alabama Environmental Management Commission's rulemaking committee voted to deny a petition for rulemaking offered by state environmental groups to lower the threshold for industry discharge of 58 known carcinogens into state waterways.
According to the Montgomery Advertiser, at the proposed lower concentration, scientists estimate there would only be one chance in a million of a human getting cancer from potential exposure. At Alabama's current level - the minimum that the federal government requires - the estimate is 10 people in a million.
Every state in the South (including Alabama's neighbors Mississippi, Florida and Georgia) except for Tennessee and Alabama, presently use the more stringent cancer risk health standard. Written comments in opposition to the more stringent cancer risk health standard were submitted by the Alabama Power Company, the Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Coal Association.
On June 29th, the entire Environmental Management Commission will have an opportunity to accept or reverse the rulemaking committee's decision. For a copy of the proposed petition go to: https://home.comcast.net/~davidaludder/Cancer_Risk_Petition_and_Exhibit_1.pdf
Breaking News - On Friday, the Birmingham News wrote an editorial in support of the proposed more stringent health standard.
2. Beach Mouse Prevents Construction of Condos On Fort Morgan Peninsula - According to a June 1st Mobile Register report, the endangered Alabama beach mouse temporarily stopped the construction of a controversial multi-million dollar condo development on the Fort Morgan peninsula.
Judge William Steele granted the preliminary injunction against the 40 acre Beach Club West development after finding that a critical document from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, known as a "Biological Opinion" likely reached "arbitrary and capricious" conclusions.
The suit which was brought forth by the Sierra Club, the Gulf Restoration Network and the Center for Biological Diversity contented that the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to adequately address how development would impact the survival and recovery of the endangered mouse. The Alabama beach mouse, which has been on the Endangered Species list since 1985, has seen its habitat greatly diminish from development and hurricane damage over the years.
3. Study: Alabama Ranks 46th in Energy Efficiency - Last week, the nonpartisan American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy released a state by state scorecard grading and ranking states on various policy actions taken to become more energy efficient. Alabama ranked 46th nationally, receiving just two (2) points out of a maximum 44 points. Only Mississippi, North and South Dakota and Wyoming placed lower in energy efficiency.
Among the factors contributing to Alabama's poor ranking: no statewide building energy code, no policy to encourage better fuel economy and no ratepayer-funding to invest in electric energy efficiency programs. The State Energy Efficiency Scorecard for 2006 can be found at http://www.aceee.org
4. BEN Notes: Environmental Council Seeking Director, Teaching Position at Turtle Point Science Center, JSU Breaks Ground on New Little River Canyon Center, 2007 Water Resources Conference at Auburn University, Alabama Nature Center to Open, Black Warrior Riverkeeper MySpace Supporters Reach 10,000, Black Warrior Riverkeepers Benefit, Mobile Manatees to be Tracked, Commute Smart Birmingham
Environmental Council Seeking Director - The Alabama Environmental Council is seeking an executive director. To learn more about the position and how to apply, visit http://www.aeconline.ws The deadline to apply is July 1st.
Teaching Position at Turtle Point Science Center - There is an environmental education teaching position open at the Turtle Point Science Center in Escambia County. To apply, visit http://turtlepoint.org
JSU Breaks Ground on New Little River Canyon Center - Jacksonville State University will be "breaking ground" on the Little River Canyon Center, Monday, June 11th at 9:00 AM. The event will feature architectural renderings, floor plans, three dimensional models, building materials and a construction schedule. The Center will be built as a public facility that is centered on the Little River Canyon National Preserve. For more information about the project, visit http://epic.jsu.edu .
2007 Water Resources Conference at Auburn University - Auburn University will be holding its 2007 Water Resources Conference "Bridging the Gap Between Science, People and Policies" on June 14-15 at The hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. For details visit http://www.nrmdi.auburn.edu/water/conference/2007/
Alabama Nature Center to Open - The Alabama Nature Center in Milbrook will be open to the public 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on June 16 and 17. General admission is $3 per person/per day for ages ten and older, $2 per person/per day ages three to ten, and children under three are free. Please check out this new and exciting nature center at the headquarters of the Alabama Wildlife Federation. Visit http://www.alabamawildlife.org for more info.
Black Warrior Riverkeeper MySpace Supporters Reach 10,000 - The Black Warrior Riverkeepers were recently nominated as one of 3 Finalists for the MySpace Impact Award - an award honoring MySpace members for the positive impact they have had on our culture. Presently, more than 10,000 people have become Black Warrior Riverkeeper "My Space Friends." Check out the group's Friends page at http://www.myspace.com/black_warrior_riverkeeper
Black Warrior Riverkeepers Benefit - The Black Warrior Riverkeepers will be holding a benefit concert at The Bottletree in Birmingham on June 14th, at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00. For additional information call Charles Scribner - 205-458-0095.
Mobile Manatees to be Tracked - Scientists from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab have created "Mobile Manatees" a group dedicated toward helping track manatee sightings in local waters. For info on how to participate, visit http://manatee.disl.org
Commute Smart in Birmingham - Tired of rising gas prices? Want to do something to reduce your ecological footprint? Contact Commute Smart Birmingham by calling 1-87 - RIDEMATCH or visit http://www.commutesmart.org
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