As 2022 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on the crucial river advocacy work we’ve done with our partners this year and pausing to give you some updates on our policy efforts from the past few months. Fall and winter of 2022 have kept clean water advocates on their toes, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act while also watching as the US Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could threaten the Act’s applicability to our wetlands. As you may have read in Cindy’s end-of-year letter, it can feel like with each step forward comes another challenge.
Looking to 2023, we will have more than 25% freshman lawmakers in Alabama’s legislature next year, meaning we collectively have a lot of work to do getting lawmakers up to speed on the threats facing our rivers, streams, bays, lakes, creeks, wetlands, and the people who depend on them. The time to get to know your legislators is NOW, before the session starts in March, so we’re asking you to give Alabama’s waters a small holiday present—take a moment right now to reach out to your state representative and senator and introduce yourself, ask to meet with them in January, and tell them how you care about Alabama’s waters and want to see them protected and restored. Click here to find out who represents you, then click here to find their contact information.
Along with our Alliance partners and members like you, we will continue standing up for clean water in the State House next year. Stay tuned to our emails early next year as we update you during the legislative session. We’ll have more ways for you to take action and help us #DefendRivers throughout Alabama!
Rest up during the holidays because we have work to do together in 2023!
–Jack West, Policy and Advocacy Director