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Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Inc.Charles Scribner, Director of Development712 37th Street South Birmingham, AL 35222 Office: 205-458-0095 Fax: 205-458-0094 Web: http://www.blackwarriorriver.org Email: Charles Scribner, Director of Development cscribner@blackwarriorriver.org Nelson Brooke, Riverkeeper and Executive Director brooke@blackwarriorriver.org John Kinney, Co-Program Director jkinney@blackwarriorriver.org Jennifer Patterson, co-Program Director jpatterson@blackwarriorriver.org David Whiteside, Founder & Board Member - dwhiteside@blackwarriorriver.org Mission: Specific Issues: Newsletter/Magazine: Affiliations: Comments: Founded in 2001 by David Whiteside, our staff includes Nelson Brooke (Riverkeeper & Executive Director), John Kinney (co-Program Director), Jennifer Patterson (co-Program Director), and Charles Scribner (Director of Development). We also benefit greatly from the New Merkel Consulting Group's support. Named 2006 Watershed Organization of the Year by the Alabama Rivers Alliance, 2007 Conservation Organization of the Year by the Alabama Environmental Council, and 2008 Green Paddle Award winner by the American Canoe Association, Black Warrior Riverkeeper is a proud member of Waterkeeper Alliance. Please contact us to report pollution (we investigate citizen tips) and to inquire about volunteer projects, donations, or events: www.blackwarriorriver.org. News Update: The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals included in the ruling the following quotation from a 1985 Senate Report: “[c]itizen suits are a proven enforcement tool. They operate as Congress intended – to both spur and supplement to government enforcement actions.” Upholding Congress’ intent, this ruling certifies that Black Warrior Riverkeeper, citizen groups, and citizens throughout the southeast’s Eleventh Circuit have the right to exercise an active role in water pollution reduction. This is especially important where state agencies are not adequately enforcing the Clean Water Act, such as in Alabama. Cherokee Mining’s argument that Black Warrior Riverkeeper is barred from taking enforcement action against their coal mines misinterpreted Congress’ intent. The Eleventh Circuit stated in their ruling: “We find Cherokee’s interpretation of these provisions to be an extremely cramped and narrow reading of the ordinary and plain meaning of the relevant language.” Mark E. Martin, Prosecuting Attorney for Black Warrior Riverkeeper, stated: “We are extremely pleased, but not surprised, by the Court’s decision. This will allow citizens, such as Black Warrior Riverkeeper, to continue to supplement the EPA and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s enforcement of the provisions of the Clean Water Act to stop the illegal discharge of dangerous pollutants into our state’s waters.” Visit this webpage to read the Eleventh Circuit’s decision: http://www.blackwarriorriver.org/library/BWRk_CherokeeMining_11thCircuitOrder.pdf Listing Last Updated - June 2009 |
Auburn University | E-mail:
frewjan@auburn.edu |