Alabama’s
river advocates celebrate 40th anniversary of Clean
Water Act
Groups
will toast
landmark environmental legislation, raising a glass to clean water
Birmingham,
Ala. October
18, 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water
Act, America’s primary federal law protecting its waterways from
pollution. Two of Alabama’s statewide water protection
organizations, Alabama Coastal Foundation and Alabama Rivers Alliance, along with a
diverse group of their partner organizations, will host a celebration
to toast this landmark legislation and the positive effects that it has
had on rivers in Alabama and the rest of the United States.
The celebration will include live music from the Oxymorons and fresh
seafood from the Fish Market Restaurant. Beverages on hand for toasting
will be local beer from Good People Brewing Company, organic wine from
JohnnyGreenSeeds Wines, and clean, fresh drinking water. Participants
can purchase tickets for only $10.
“This bedrock law is a shining example of successful, balanced
regulation,” said Cindy Lowry, executive director of the Alabama Rivers
Alliance. “It has not inhibited growth, yet has protected and restored
our vital water resources for 40 years. I'm proud to celebrate this
milestone anniversary with the groups and citizens who have worked
tirelessly to ensure the clean water act continues to work in Alabama
protecting our rivers and our communities.”
“We are very excited to be in Birmingham to celebrate with others in
the state on this special occasion,” said Mark Berte, executive
director of the Alabama Coastal Foundation. “The Clean Water Act is an
important law, and this anniversary is a great time to look at how far
our waterways have come and also how much farther we have to go in
keeping them protected.”
Since the Clean Water Act’s passage in 1972, pollution in river systems
from sources like sewage treatment plants and industrial facilities has
been dramatically reduced. In 1970, point-source contaminants
accounted for 85% of the pollutants in our waters, and today account
for only 15%. The rate of wetland loss has declined by 90% since the
1970’s. However, many challenges still remain. When the act was passed,
its goal was to render 100% of the nation’s waters “fishable and
swimmable” over the next thirteen years. Today, forty years later,
nearly half of all rivers, lakes, and streams are still not clean
enough for those uses.
“This is why Alabama’s river community is so critical,” said Adam
Johnston, grassroots organizer for the Alabama Rivers Alliance. “That’s
why we’re so proud to come together in celebration of this important
law that protects our waterways.”
Other organizations partnering in this celebration include the Alabama
Environmental Council, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Cahaba Riverkeeper,
Cahaba River Society, Coosa Riverkeeper, GASP, League of Women Voters,
The Nature Conservancy of Alabama and the Southern Environmental Law
Center.
Event Details:
Date and Time: Doors open at 5:30pm
Location Address: Birmingham Botanical
Gardens,
2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL
Ticket Prices: $10 for dinner and two
beverages
For ticket purchase: www.joinACF.org
About the Alabama Coastal Foundation
Founded in 1993, the Alabama Coastal Foundation is a non-partisan
non-profit membership organization with a mission to improve and
protect Alabama’s coastal environment through cooperation, education
and participation. We accomplish this mission by providing factual
information, promoting dialogue and advocating action.
www.joinacf.org
About the Alabama Rivers Alliance
The Alabama Rivers Alliance is Alabama’s statewide, nonprofit, river
protection organization working to protect Alabama's rivers through
water quality and quantity policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and
the providing of information to citizens in order to achieve clean and
healthy watershed ecosystems, healthy people, strong economies, and a
functioning democratic system of government in Alabama.
www.alabamarivers.org
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