Auburn University
Auburn University

Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Inc.

Charles Scribner, Director of Development
712 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:
To protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries.

Specific Issues:
Learn about specific pollution issues in our watershed at http://blackwarriorriver.org/issues.html. To report pollution, contact Nelson Brooke, your Black Warrior Riverkeeper, at nbrooke@blackwarriorriver.org or 205-458-0095.

Newsletter/Magazine:
Email Charles Scribner at cscribner@blackwarriorriver.org to receive our newsletter, or go to the "newsletter" section of our website. Additionally, check out the homepage and "news" sections of our website for more news.

Affiliations:
Waterkeeper Alliance, Mobile Baykeeper, Cahaba Riverkeeper, Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper, Friends of Hurricane Creek (Hurricane Creekkeeper), Southwings, L.E.A.F., Southern Environmental Law Center, Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama, Alabama Rivers Alliance, Cahaba River Society, Alabama Environmental Council, Friends of Locust Fork River, Freshwater Land Trust, and many more.

Comments:
Black Warrior Riverkeeper's mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. We are a citizen based non-profit organization dedicated to improving water quality, habitat, recreation, and public health throughout our patrol area, the Black Warrior River watershed. This vital river basin is entirely contained within Alabama, America's leading state for freshwater biodiversity. Patrolling waterways, educating the public, and holding polluters accountable has made us an important proponent of clean water throughout the basin. Our job is to identify major pollution problems and work on cleaning them up.

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:
In Black Warrior Riverkeeper v. CherokeeMining, LLC, the federal Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on November 13, 2008 that a Clean Water Act citizen suit is not barred by a state administrative action commenced after a citizen group gives notice of its intent to sue to abate water pollution.

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