AWWareness

On May 10^th, the 2013 AWW Annual Get-Together took place in Auburn, AL at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve. The evening began with a lovely Social Hour during which old friends had a chance to catch up, and folks had a chance to start new water watch friendships.  Jennifer Lolley, Preserve Administrator, gave a presentation and tour to introduce attendees to the beautiful Preserve.

Continue reading “AWW Program Updates and Important Announcements Shared During the 2013 Annual Meeting”

The AWWA Board of Directors is small, but dedicated.  One high priority of the Board is to broaden, deepen, and strengthen the Board by adding expertise and capacity – for example, adding legal, accounting, and fundraising capacities of the board while retaining representation from monitors and other citizen supporters of Water Watch.

Continue reading “Alabama Water Watch Association Updates by Mike Kensler, President of the AWWA Board”

The following awards were presented to AWW Groups and Monitors at the 2013 AWW Get-Together on Friday, May 10^th, 2013:

2013 River Basin Award:  Chattahoochee Basin

by: eric reutebuch

Acknowledging the crucial role water plays in sustaining Alabamians and supporting future development, Governor Bentley established a task force in 2012, known as the Alabama Water Agencies Working Group (AWAWG), charged with developing policy options for a comprehensive water management plan for the State. This would be the FIRST such plan developed for the wise management of Alabama’s waters. The AWAWG consists of representatives from five key agencies in Alabama that deal with the management of water and water resources, including the:

• Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs – Office of Water Resources,
• Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries,
• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,
• Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and,
• Geological Survey of Alabama.

Continue reading “AU Hosts Water Policy Symposium”

Most of us feel it is also our  responsibility to instill an appreciation and respect for the environment in the  children and youth of our communities. This is accomplished first by setting a  good example for them, and also by providing them with opportunities to gain  knowledge and an understanding of the way the natural world works.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the story.

by: eric reutebuch

Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that states assess surface waters and compile a list of those that have become polluted to the point that they no longer support their Use Classification (e.g., Fish & Wildlife, Public Water Supply, Swimming & Whole-body Contact, etc.). This list of impaired waters is known as the 303(d) List.

The 303(d) List must be submitted by the states to the U.S. EPA on April 1 of every even-numbered year. The 303(d) List contains details for each impaired waterbody, including the waterbody name, type of waterbody, locational information, the Use Classification of the waterbody, the cause(s) and source(s) of impairment, the area of impairment, the year that the waterbody was first listed, and the year that a draft TMDL is scheduled to be completed for that waterbody. Continue reading “ADEM Releases Final 2012 303(d) List”

by: eric reutebuch

The mission of HOBO (Home Owners Boat Owners) is to preserve, protect and improve the quality of life in and around Lake Mitchell.

One way we do this is through water monitoring.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE
(SOURCE: The Clanton Advertiser)

Michael Freeman, U.S Coast Guard Flotilla Commander posted at Auburn University, presented AWW Program Director, Bill Deutsch and the AWW staff with an official Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Coast Guard on Feb.20, 2013, thanking AWW for their many years of service to the State of Alabama ‘in the protection of the State’s most valuable natural resource.’

Click Here to view the U.S. Coast Guard Letter presented to AWW

Dr. Bill Deutsch, AWW Director

Almost four years ago, I joined thousands of volunteers across the U.S. who monitor precipitation through a group called the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS, at www.cocorahs.org). Similar to our AWW network of monitors, we all use standardized equipment, similar sampling protocols and have an online database to enter, analyze, store and share the data.  I ritually check my rain gage at 7 am most days and report the information online under my unique site code: AL-LE-7.  You can see daily precipitation data for Alabama or by county via their website that includes my “data dot” on the map in west Lee County (color coded for precipitation amounts).

Continue reading “Power in Numbers”