Groups unveil bold action plan for Alabama's threatened water resources

Montgomery, AL - Alabama's ineffective and under-funded government agencies combined with continued suburban development and growing demand for water constitute the greatest threats to Alabama's rivers, groundwater, wetlands and coastal waters, according to a report released today by two conservation groups.

The Alabama Rivers Alliance and Southern Environmental Law Center unveiled the Alabama Water Agenda at a press conference along the banks of the state's namesake waterway, the Alabama River, in downtown Montgomery in a symbolic demonstration of human dependence on clean and abundant water. The agenda presents a bold vision for restoring and protecting the state's water resources and outlines a series of specific actions toward achieving that goal.

"We have many threats facing our waters in Alabama. By prioritizing those threats into a comprehensive agenda, we hope to work cooperatively with state leaders and grassroots organizations to proactively, and comprehensively, improve Alabama's water policy for the long-term," said April Hall, Watershed Protection Specialist for the Alabama Rivers Alliance.

"Alabama has a national reputation for its incredible array of water wildlife - and also for the rate of decline of those species," said Gil Rogers, staff attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center's Atlanta office, at today's press conference. "Our leaders need to step up to the plate to preserve this state's rich natural heritage and ensure that future generations of Alabamians have pure and plentiful water. This agenda gives them a solid blueprint for achieving these goals."

The agenda was developed over several months with the input of dozens of grassroots groups dedicated to river conservation and water quality protection, and many other Alabama citizens. It notes that Alabama ranks #1 in the country for freshwater species diversity, but is also #4 in number of species at risk for extinction. The state has fully assessed the quality of only 7 percent of the state's 77,000 river miles, and of that small fraction, 40 percent are considered to have poor water quality.

The agenda will be presented to the staff of Governor Bob Riley, as well as to each member of the General Assembly and the key staff of the various agencies with oversight of Alabama's water resources.

Alabama Water Agenda - A snapshot of threats and actions

Agency coordination and enhancement.

The threat: There are no less than six state agencies with responsibility for water resources, often creating confusion, conflict or inaction.

The action: Implement executive and legislative requirements for inter-agency cooperation, clarify decision-making processes, strengthen processes by which agencies make rules to ensure dialogue with other agencies and with the public.

Agency enforcement.

The threat: Enforcement of existing water protection laws and rules is severely lax; polluters too often go unnoticed or unpunished; and fines are often ineffective deterrents.

The action: Provide agencies with sufficient funding and authority to ensure adequate enforcement; improve methods for applying state fines and fees; improve public access to information about violations and enforcement actions.

Agency funding.

The threat: State programs that monitor and protect our waters are grossly under-funded. Per capita spending on environmental protection is among the lowest in the nation.

The action: Legislature must be convinced to increase funding for these critical resources. Empower state agencies to fully avail themselves of federal funding for a variety of water protection efforts.

Instream flow.

The threat: Increased pressure to secure water supplies, unregulated water withdrawals, and increased stormwater runoff lead to unnaturally low and unnaturally high flows which can harm water quality, recreation, and aquatic habitat as well as property values and local infrastructure.

The action: Develop a comprehensive statewide instream flow policy that includes regulations for interbasin transfers, improved permitting for withdrawals, improved flow regimes for dams, conservation programs, and drought management.

Stormwater runoff.

The threat: Urban and rural stormwater runoff, containing sediment, pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals, is the leading cause of poor water quality in Alabama. Increasing impervious surfaces such as roads and rooftops exacerbates pollution and increases the risk of flooding.

The action: Protect in-stream flows, improve permits for stormwater discharge, develop guidance for local land-use ordinances to reduce stormwater runoff.

Suburban sprawl.

The threat: Paving over our natural environment destroys green spaces and streamside buffers, thereby increasing the risk of water pollution and flooding. It also leads to more costly drinking water treatment.

The action: Strengthen state and local support for principles and methods of sustainable, "smart growth" development. Allow "home rule" for local governments to develop zoning and development policies. Improve economic incentives for localities and the private sector to reduce the negative impact on water resources from development.