I'm Jonathon Meeks, your chapter chair, I'm writing to you today to enlist your support for The Alabama Water Conservation & Security Act (HB416), introduced by Patricia Todd, which will improve Alabama's system of water management to better protect our rivers and streams for the quality of our drinking water and the quality of life for our children and grandchildren.
At this time, our partners at Alabama Rivers Alliance are focusing this action on the members of the House Agriculture Committee. If one of these committee members is your House member, please call or write them THIS WEEK and tell them to support this important bill - The Water Conservation & Security Act - HB416! Click here to see the committee members. See talking points below. ARA is trying to get a hearing on this important bill on Wednesday, March 7.
Click here to read a Fact Sheet from ARA about this bill.
Click HERE to send your letter to the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee.
WHAT WILL THIS BILL DO?
Water Plan: This bill would help create a Water Management Plan in Alabama. A water plan is necessary to ensure that we protect our water supplies for our children and grandchildren.
Drought Emergency: This bill would reduce the harmful effects of drought and give much needed protection to people who depend on water.
Farmers and Agriculture: HB 416 would protect farmers by making our waters more reliable and higher quality. In case of emergency, the state can guarantee this important industry gets what they deserve.
Wildlife: HB 416 would protect our wildlife and ecosystems by mandating that enough water is our rivers and streams to support the plants and animals that we all enjoy and appreciate.
WHAT IT WILL NOT DO:
Arbitrarily take water away from farmers, manufacturers, or municipalities-the goal of this bill is to ensure the state has enough water, not to restrict the access of those who need it most. On the contrary, HB 416 actually protects farmers and utilities by guaranteeing they will have the water they need in times of emergency. If users register their use and obtain credits, they will possess an undeniable claim to water during shortages instead of having to compete with other regions of the state or sue other water users in the area.
Create a financial burden on individuals or the state. In fact, HB 416 will potentially save millions of dollars by limiting - and even preventing - the costs of disaster.
Thank you for taking action and for all you do for Alabama's environment!
Jonathon Meeks
Chair
Sierra Club Alabama Chapter
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To learn more about the work of the Sierra Club Alabama Chapter, visit our website and our Facebook page.
