Help Stop Coal Ash Pollution on September 20 and 27

Sign Up for the In-Person Public Hearing on 9/20

Alternatively, you can register for the  virtual public hearing on September 27

Last Thursday, EPA proposed denying Alabama’s unsafe coal-ash program for issuing permits, like the ones at Plant Gorgas, Plant Miller and Plant Greene County, because the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has failed to meet federal safety standards.

On September 20, EPA will hold an in-person public hearing in Montgomery about the proposed denial. If the proposal becomes final, Alabama will continue to have the protections of the federal coal combustion residuals (CCR) Rule, and ADEM will have no authority to block those protections. 

Across the Southeast, states like Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina have required utilities to clean up coal ash contamination, with over 250 million tons of hazardous coal ash being excavated from unlined pits near waterways. These materials are either recycled or disposed of in modern, lined landfills away from rivers. Even Alabama Power’s sister company, Georgia Power, has recycled or properly disposed of over 65 million tons of ash. 

With enough public support, we can convince EPA to finalize this proposal and ensure that Alabamians get the same protections as other people in the Southeast. If EPA’s proposal is finalized, community groups and EPA will continue to have the authority to enforce the CCR Rule for coal ash impoundments along our water at places like Plant Gorgas, Plant Miller and Plant Greene County. Alabama Power will be accountable for its coal ash pollution. 

Please register to demand protections for clean water and healthy communities:

In-Person Public Hearing
September 20, 2023
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT)
Montgomery, Alabama

Sign Up for the In-Person Public Hearing on 9/20

Alternatively, you can register for the  virtual public hearing on September 27

Past events

Sunday at 1:30-3:30 pm on April 24, 2022
Red Ridge United Methodist Church, Dadeville, AL.
The Lake Watch Annual meeting was well attended by a group of around 75 members and folks from the community.

Officers Reports:
Treasurer’s report – Janne Debes
President’s report – Lake Watch of Lake Martin – what does our data show? – Eric Reutebuch

Election: Matt Campbell was elected president to replace Eric Reutebuch, Bill Butler was elected VP to replace Tom Collier, and Harry DeNegre and Chuck Jeroloman and Eric Reutebuch were elected to the board to replace Dick, Jesse Cunningham, and Laurie Barrett. Thank you Dick, Tom, Jesse and Laurie for your years of service!

Two new positions were created: Monitor Coordinator – Ann Campbell; Supplies Officer – Janne Debes. The Legal Committee was renamed the Clean Water Advocacy Committee.

Annual awards were presented:
Woodfin Martin Award: Janne Debes
Bronson Environmental Stewardship Award: Ann and Matt Campbell

CONGRATS Janne and Ann and Matt!

Dr. Bill Deutsch, founder of Alabama Water Watch & AU Research Fellow Emeritus, gave an excellent presentation, “ Thirty Years of Watchin’ the Water at Lake Martin”

Presentation: Meeting proceedings, Lake Watch - what does our data show?

2020 Lake Watch Annual Meeting

Sunday at 2:00-3:30 pm on February 23, 2020

StillWaters Residential Association Building, 1816 StillWaters Dr, Dadeville, AL.

The Lake Watch  Annual meeting was well attended by a group of  around 70 members and folks from the community.

Election: Bill Butler was elected to the Lake Watch Board to replace George Zorn, who retired after many years of service on the Board - thank you George, and thank you Bill!

Lake Watch officers gave updates on our budget, environmental education efforts, and results of Lake Watch water testing throughout the Lake Martin Watershed.

Annual awards were presented:

Woodfin Martin Award: Zelma and Raymond dePasquale

Bronson Environmental Stewardship Award: Bruce Adams, Superintendent, Wind Creek State Park

Lance LeFleur, Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and Richard Hulcher, Office of Field Services gave an informative presentation, State of the Environment in Alabama, to include comments on CAFOs.

LWLMpresentation-2020b-forWeb.pdf