Alabama Rivers Alliance

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Black Warrior Riverkeeper and a coalition of Southern environmental groups suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a federal permitting process they say allows major natural gas pipeline projects to avoid detailed environmental reviews and adequate public input.

“The hundreds of Alabamians that live in the communities across the 10-county route of this pipeline deserve an opportunity to comment on the permitting of a project that stands to impact their health, their waterways and sensitive ecosystems,” Cindy Lowry, executive director of Alabama Rivers Alliance, said. “Allowing this pipeline to fall under NWP 12 robs them of that opportunity.”

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Alabama environmental groups join lawsuit over pipeline permitting process

Alabama environmental groups joined a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ use of a streamlined permit for major natural gas pipeline projects across the Southeast. The groups said the process could let nearly 500 miles of pipeline proceed with too little environmental review or public input, including through 10 Alabama counties and thousands of waterways.

Unchecked gas pipeline permit scheme challenged in federal court. For immediate release: https://blackwarriorriver.org/permit-scheme-challenge/

"The hundreds of Alabamians that live in the communities across the 10 county route of this pipeline deserve an opportunity to comment on the permitting of a project that stands to impact their health, their waterways and sensitive ecosystems. Allowing this pipeline to fall under NWP 12 robs them of that opportunity," said Cindy Lowry, executive director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance.

Alabama environmental group joins lawsuit over proposed Southeast methane pipelines Black Warrior Riverkeeper is among several environmental organizations suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a federal permit they say improperly fast-tra

It has been an incredible summer with our five super talented Southern Exposure filmmakers: Moses, Callie, Anna, Grace and Ethan. They have been to all four corners of Alabama the past six weeks making their films about Alabama’s special and unique places. Scroll through to see where they have been for the past week or so. And stay tuned to see still frames from their films coming soon!

THE COOSA RIVER NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Our friends at Coosa Riverkeeper have a very urgent action alert. An open pit graphite mining operation threatens to disturb more than 1,100 acres of forest in Coosa County, Alabama. This mine would be right next door to Lake Mitchell, the historic Pinhoti Trail, Coosa Wildlife Management Area, Weogufka Creek, Noneless Creek and Lake Mitchell. Scroll below to see a map of the mining operation, its mineral holdings and the surrounding communities that stand to be impacted.

Please take a moment today and submit your comment letter to the Army Corps. Let them know you are deeply concerned about the mine and ask for a public hearing.

Coosa Riverkeeper and SELC (Southern Environmental Law Center) have made it easy for you to submit your comments. Learn more and take action today! www.coosariver.org/graphite

Charles Miller, policy director for Alabama Rivers Alliance, said in a statement that this type of NDA undermines the public’s trust in their leaders.

“It is absurd that three city officials—two of whom are not elected by the people of Bessemer—can sign a document that makes an entire city government more accountable to out-of-state developers than their own constituents,” Miller said. “In Alabama, our elected officials should work for us, not Silicon Valley AI companies and their associates.”

Alabama Data Center Non-Disclosure Agreement Required City Officials to Destroy Records, Document Shows - Inside Climate News Residents widely oppose the secrecy agreement signed by the city’s mayor and city attorney over Project Marvel, a proposed $14.5 billion hyperscale data center in Bessemer, Alabama.

Under threat of being sued, the city of Bessemer has released the non-disclosure agreement that its elected mayor signed with the developer of a massive and controversial $14.5 billion data center.

After refusing for months to show the secrecy agreement to the public, the city recently released a copy to the Alabama Rivers Alliance and its lawyers.

“It’s deeply concerning when it takes legal threats for a government to comply with basic transparency laws,” said Ryan Anderson, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, which threatened to sue Bessemer on behalf of the Rivers Alliance.

“What’s worse,” she added, “is the city frustrated an open records act request for a document that’s very purpose is to shield information from the public about a highly controversial data center.”

Bessemer releases secrecy agreement for massive data center after being threatened with lawsuit Newly released records show 3 public officials in the small city signed an NDA with the developer of the controversial $14 billion data center.

More great news for the Cahaba River! Congratulations to Cahaba River Coalition for this incredible honor to get to steward this beautiful and important piece of Alabama land!

Cahaba River Coalition acquires 151 acres for conservation in Bibb County | Bham Now 🐠 CONSERVATION WIN: The acquisition will help protect the Cahaba River, a critically-important freshwater system that's home to the most species of native fish per mile of any river in North America 🤩

It's been a whirlwind of chaotic energy after the first couple of weeks for the new Southern Exposure Film fellows! They've waded through the Cahaba AND Catawba Rivers checking out the beloved spider lily, flown right above the Tallapoosa River and the surrounding fields, discovered more about our state's groundwater resources and the communities that rely on them, talked to experts about clean energy, and we found some time to celebrate a birthday away from home! Next week some of us will be headed to Dauphin Island to search for snowy plovers and diamondback terrapins. The next few weeks are sure to be a cacophony of activity! Scroll through and take a look at the past two weeks.

Mark your calendars now for the premiere of our new films September 25 in Birmingham, and then all over Alabama after!