presented by Mitch Reid | Program Director | Alabama Rivers Alliance |

Agenda  2016 Session Information  Budget  Water Policy  Dam Safety  Fishers Rights  Open Government  Opportunities and Resources

presented by Mitch Reid | Program Director | Alabama Rivers Alliance | Session information  Legislature Website:  Regular Session  Convenes: Tuesday February 2 nd  The length of the regular session is limited to 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days.  There are usually two meeting or "legislative" days per week, with other days devoted to committee meetings.  Important Dates:  Alabama Primaries: Tuesday, March 1 st  Spring Break: March 28 th -April 1 st (or thereabouts)  Rivers of Alabama Day: Tuesday April 12th  Special Sessions :  Called by the Governor, with the Proclamation listing the subjects which the Governor wishes considered. These sessions are limited to 12 legislative days within a 30 calendar day span.

presented by Mitch Reid | Program Director | Alabama Rivers Alliance | Budget  “Rough Shoals Ahead”  Budget chairs: Sen Trip Pittman (R-Montrose), Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)  Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)  $154 M budget comprised of Trust Funds, EPA grants, and Permit Fees (Budget hearing Feb. 3 rd )  2015 budget essentially eliminated General Fund contributions  Watch for further raids on Trust Funds  Advocate for restoration of General Fund $  Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)  Most of DCNR from ear marks and fees  2015 reduced budgets for State Parks  Watch for Attacks on Wildlife Programs including fish hatchery work  Forever Wild  2015 fended off raids on Forever Wild  Monitor and oppose further attempts to go after Forever Wild $

presented by Mitch Reid | Program Director | Alabama Rivers Alliance | Water Policy  Alabama Water Agency Working Group (AWAWG)   Focus Panels in progress: Riparian Rights, Instream Flow, Permitting, Conservation/Efficiency, and Regional Planning  Water Resources Assessments  2015 budget: $750K (down from $1M)  Advocate for continued funding in 2016  Reports should be made to Focus Panels and Water Committee  Water Committee  No scheduled meetings  Advocate for at least one meeting during 2016 session to discuss AWAWG progress  Support Interbasin Transfer Moratorium until completion of water plan

presented by Mitch Reid | Program Director | Alabama Rivers Alliance | Dam Safety  2015 effort spear-headed by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Alabama (ACECA) and Association of State Dam Safety Officials (  Draft bill pulled due to budget fight  Support Dam Safety legislation in 2016

presented by Mitch Reid | Program Director | Alabama Rivers Alliance | Fishers Rights  Considerable improvements in the 2015 fish consumption advisory published by the Alabama Department of Public Health (  SELC Southern Exposure Film Fisherman’s Right to Know (  No legislative effort in 2015  Support Coosa Riverkeeper’s “Fish Guide” and explore opportunities to expand statewide  No legislation anticipated in 2016

Open Government  2015 bill strengthened Alabama Open Meetings Act ; Sen. Cam Ward, (R- Alabaster)  Alabama Environmental Management Commission (AEMC) engaged in refining public participation at AEMC meetings (“day-of” comments, clarification of rules for “formal” presentations)  Support open meetings/ open government legislation  Monitor and oppose legislation that limits transparency or public participation presented by Mitch Reid | Program Director | Alabama Rivers Alliance |

Opportunities and Resources  Connect:  Facebook: Alabama.Rivers   Rivers of Alabama Day (April 12)  Follow the issues:  Alabama Rivers Alliance (  Conservation Alabama (  Alabama Arise Citizens Policy Project Daily News Digest (  Find Your Legislature:   Contact your legislator: 