Alabama Rivers Alliance

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.

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!

“Charles Miller, policy director for the Alabama Rivers Alliance, commended the council for considering the ordinance and including water-use requirements, while calling for the reinstatement of special exceptions for hyperscale centers.

“We do agree with the majority of the people who have spoken here today that the special exception requirement that gives citizens a voice in this process is incredibly, incredibly important. I know that this council and the planning department has worked diligently on this ordinance, and I know that we’re kind of running up against the clock when it comes to the moratorium. But I believe that if we want to see a durable ordinance, it has to include some element of public participation, and I believe that our city can do that.” ~ Charles Miller”

Birmingham approves data center ordinance, facing public's criticism Residents packed the city council chamber urging revisions, while councillors said delaying action may allow existing facilities to expand unchecked.

TONIGHT in Tuskegee! ARA and our partners at Rising Gardens will be at the Jesse Upshaw Commission Chambers for a public meeting about the proposed pipeline expansion happening across 10 counties in Alabama. Learn more about the proposed project, see up to date maps of exactly where the new pipeline expansion would go, and learn about concerns that may impact your property and your community.

Food provided by Rawsoulicious Sunflower Well and The Goodness Co!