STEERING COMMITTEE
MINUTES
July 15, 2014 10am - Noon
Alabama Power Division Headquarters
1313 6th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Welcome & Introductions
Johnnie Johnston
Johnnie Johnston, Chairman called the meeting to order followed by a round of introductions.
Steering Committee members in attendance:
Johnnie Johnston-Chairman
Abner Patton-Patton Geologics (Co-Chair)
Lance McCrary – Westervelt
Garry Banks – AL DOT
Jim Jeter – Alabama Forestry Commission
Tom Miller-City of Birmingham
Allison Jenkins – ACWP Facilitator
Len Simmons-Alabama Power
Stuart Blackwell-Goodwyn Mills & Cawood
OLD BUSINESS
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Review of Minutes: March 25, 2014 (Motion: Miller, 2nd Simmons)
ACWP Activity
o Allison Jenkins reported that ADEM has agreed to fund the Clean Water Partnership
thru December 15, 2015. The 2014 will decrease from $22,500 to $21,626. The
decrease will be offset by a recently received EPA education grant (see below).
o The ACWP applied for and has received an EPA education grant to educate the
public about nonpoint source pollution. The grant will provide funding for kiosks
that utilize the Waters to the Sea curriculum. The kiosks will be placed in public
areas where the public can interact with the educational modules.
NEW BUSINESS
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None
FACILITATOR REPORT
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2013-2014 Plan of Work Update (H)
o North River WMP Implementation:
 The facilitator continues to provide support for the project.
 Abner Patton, BMP Coordinator for the project reported that 45 sediment
basins have been installed. These basins have
 captured 850 tons of sediment
 preserved 14,000 gallons of water capacity in Bays Lake
 Independent monitoring of the incoming water for treatment by the
Berry water treatment plant has demonstrated a measurable decline
The Black Warrior Clean Water Partnership is a part of the Alabama Clean Water Partnership. The Clean Water
Partnership is a neutral forum to share information among stakeholders and has adopted a non-advocacy policy.
This project was funded or partially funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a
Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency –
Region 4.
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in water turbidity since catchment basins were installed in the Clear
Creek system.
 Berry Water Treatment employees reported a 46% decrease in water
treatment expense.
 The facilitator has drafted promotional material explaining the purpose and
results of the grant. The draft will be presented to the Lower Sub-basin
committee for final comments and will be mailed to County and City officials
(Tuscaloosa/Fayette) and large landowners.
Tannehill WWT is currently under construction and should be complete by Fall.
Jimy Creek WMP and AMD project is pending study and engineering by AML. AML
has planned a study for Fall of 2014.
Projects under development (Attachment A)
Contract Activities (Attachment A)
BWCWP Steering Committee Structure: Provided to the Committee for information in
directing projects. Committee structure approved by the Steering Committee January 26,
2012.
Unmet Needs Review: EPA representatives met with the facilitator to encourage the
development and submission of 319 projects. The facilitator provided EPA with the 303(d)
analysis presented to the Steering Committee at the March 25th meeting which documents
efforts to date for the stream segments listed. It was explained that specific solutions for
specific problems have been exhausted. The facilitator then provided EPA with a list of
known unmet needs.
PARTNER REPORTS
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Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood: Stuart Blackwell reported that he is working with the facilitator
to identify a solution and funding for the potential Blountsville stream restoration.
City of Birmingham: Tom Miller reported –
o The City is working on a Valley Creek Watershed Master Plan.
 The plan will cover from the headwaters to the confluence with the Warrior
River.
 SWIM model be utilized to determine impacts of future development. It
provides a snapshot of the current drainage condition and will be tied to the
5 year development plan.
 EPA/Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham are preparing
framework plans. The initial focus will be the North Birmingham area.
 The Plan will address habitat and sedimentation issues.
 The City has contracted with USGS to provide additional monitoring stations.
These stations will be included in the flood alert system.
 A stormwater protection ordinance has been drafted and will be reviewed by
the City Council in August.
 Partnering with UAB-Engineering to redesign stormwater inlet and covers.
The Black Warrior Clean Water Partnership is a part of the Alabama Clean Water Partnership. The Clean Water
Partnership is a neutral forum to share information among stakeholders and has adopted a non-advocacy policy.
This project was funded or partially funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a
Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency –
Region 4.
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Requesting information from stakeholders to identify a list of projects in the
Village Creek watershed.
AL DOT: Garry Banks reported that construction on the Northern Beltline has begun. AL
DOT is conducting stakeholder education and outreach to provide information regarding
methods to minimize erosion and protect habitat.
Alabama Forestry Commission: Jim Jeter reported that the COE Wetland Guidance
document is out for public comment.
Westervelt: Lance McCray reported that Westervelt is cooperating with data gathering
efforts by ADEM by providing river monitoring data from Westervelt plants.
Alabama Power: Len Simmons reported that Alabama Power has spent invested millions in
infrastructure to improved DO counts and mercury capture. The next meeting will be
hosted by Alabama Power at Smith Dam to explain these improvements.
NEXT MEETING
Lower Sub-Basin: Field Trip to the Alabama Aquatics Biodiversity Center
July 21, 2014 1pm – 3pm
AABC, 2200 Hwy 175, Marion, AL 36756
Steering Committee
September 16, 2014
Location: Alabama Power – Smith Lake Dam
The Black Warrior Clean Water Partnership is a part of the Alabama Clean Water Partnership. The Clean Water
Partnership is a neutral forum to share information among stakeholders and has adopted a non-advocacy policy.
This project was funded or partially funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a
Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency –
Region 4.
ATTACHMENT A
Black Warrior Clean Water Partnership
Contract Activities: March 26 – July 14, 2014
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07/10/14: Attended meeting between SHU partners and AL DOT to discuss sharing data
07/02/14: Request from Cullman Soil & Water Conservation District to assess the potential
of the development of a watershed management plan and 319 grant submission for Ryan
Creek
07/02/14: Met with City of Blountsville regarding possible stream restoration project
06/17/14: Field trip of North River to bring aboard US Army Corps of Engineers in the SHU
process
06/10/14: Conference call: USDA/NRCS RCPP grant program-developing potential projects
for SHU
06/08/14: Request from the West Alabama Regional Commission to develop a watershed
management plan utilizing ADEM 604(b)
05/22/14: Met with EPA regarding list of unmet watershed needs (list attached)
05/20/14: Set up meeting between AL DOT and City of Tuscaloosa to discuss possible
project (Patton Lake)
04/29/14: Responded to request from UA student for class project
04/23/14: Presentation to the Alabama River Clean Water Partnership: Developing
Cooperative Partnerships
04/22/14: Mary Pitts set up the ACWP display at the Mercedes Enviro Day
04/09/14: Attended Low Impact Development Summit
04/04/14: Assisted with North River Water Fest
03/26/14: Consulted with SHU partners on potential TIGER grant
03/13/14: Attended AL DOT Northern Beltline Stormwater Workshop
Continued assistance to Tannehill State Park
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Potential Future Projects
City of Hanceville (stream restoration, green space, outdoor classroom)
City of Blountsville (stream restoration)
Patton Lake (sedimentation, stormwater retrofits)
Walker County Lake (conceptual plan)
Locust Fork Canoe Trails
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The Black Warrior Clean Water Partnership is a part of the Alabama Clean Water Partnership. The Clean Water
Partnership is a neutral forum to share information among stakeholders and has adopted a non-advocacy policy.
This project was funded or partially funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a
Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency –
Region 4.