Maintaining Focus on Your Water

Photo by Staff Scientist John Kinney during Ambient Water Quality Monitoring.

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. My heart goes out to all those dealing with any loss or adversity. 2020 has obviously been unique and challenging for everyone. Amidst the pandemic, divisive elections, and civil unrest, it is unsurprising that even our most fundamental needs, including clean water, receive less widespread attention. Rest assured, however, that Black Warrior Riverkeeper has been no less attentive or productive this year when it comes to protecting your water. Thus far in 2020, we have achieved the following with the help of our members – donors and volunteers:

~ Relayed frequent updates on how our members and the public can promote clean water during the pandemic.

~ Hired our first AmeriCorps Member, Katie Fagan, to engage more partners and volunteers in litter cleanups.

~ Promoted the installation of 8 Litter Gitter trash collection traps in urban streams across Greater Birmingham.

~ Launched WaterkeepersAlabama.org with an interactive map of 10 Waterkeepers’ patrol areas in Alabama.

~ Sued MCoal for 2,789 Clean Water Act permit violations at Rosa Mine on the Locust Fork in Blount County.

~ Challenged, with SELC, new ADEM biosolids rules allowing land application of municipal/industrial waste.

~ Published a report and summary on the dangers of coal ash at Alabama Power’s 3 power plants on our river.

~ Created AlabamaCoalAsh.org with allies to help the public learn more and take action regarding coal ash.

~ Partnered with ARA, FLFR, and more for key upgrades to Tyson’s Clean Water Act permit in Blountsville.

~ Fielded pollution complaints, documented problems, and reported to government agencies and the media.

~ Made 54 educational presentations to business, government, nonprofit, religious, and scholastic groups.

~ Wrote comment letters to government agencies, requesting upgrades to 44 permits and/or water rules.

~ Monitored 81 facilities across our 17-county basin through patrols by foot, truck, canoe, boat, and plane.

~ Reviewed 226 facilities’ Discharge Monitoring Reports to record the number and nature of violations.

~ Collected and analyzed 643 water samples, regularly publishing ambient water quality data on our website.

~ Engaged hundreds of volunteers of all ages who donated thousands of community service hours.

~ Retained our top Platinum rating on GuideStar, the leading source of information on nonprofits.

Please support our continued success for the river: blackwarriorriver.org/support-us/. Thank you!

For Clean Water in 2021,

Charles Scribner
Executive Director
Black Warrior Riverkeeper