LMLPA keeps an eye on Logan Martin

Published 3:45 am Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Working to keep area water clean and protected, the Logan Martin Lake Protection Agency held its annual fall meeting at the end of October, where guest speakers informed members about current water quality trends and the actions taken to continue water protection.

Bill Deutseh and Eric Reutebuch from the Alabama Water Watch program spoke to the group.  The Alabama Water Watch Program is dedicated to developing citizen water volunteering.  They presented data about ways water quality trends are measured and monitored and the benefits of accessing this type of data.  They presented ways to help people take action geared towards protecting water.

“You’ve got to have a Data Action Strategy in place to uncover the source of the problem and work towards a solution,” Reutebuch said.  He suggested using tools available online to collect data bout the body of water, then relating it to water quality standards.  “Then you can identify water quality problems,” Reutebuch said.

On behalf of the Alabama Water Protection Program, Deutseh and Reutebuch presented the possibility of the LMLPA producing a water body report for the lake.

“This provides so much information that can be utilized within the community,” Deutseh said.  “Research like this helps with recreation and protection, environmental education, advocacy and water policy.”

Frank Chitwood, Executive Director of the Coosa Riverkeeper, also spoke to the LMLPA about the importance of working to patrol and monitor the waters.  Coosa Riverkeeper is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to clean water advocacy.  One of seven riverkeepers in Alabama, Chitwood patrols waters from Gadsden to Wetumpka.

 Explaining the necessity of water protection, Chitwood shared facts about river life in Alabama.  Alabama ranks number one in most stream miles and first native tree diversity.  Alabama rivers contain a diverse fresh water species, meaning rivers have a wide variety of snails, fish, turtles among other water creatures.  

However, aquatic life in the rivers is so vast, more animals in Alabama waters face extinction.  Alabama ranks second in species extinction and third in species at risk for extinction.

“There are 43 species at risk for extinction in the Coosa Valley alone,” Chitwood said.

A push to create a statewide water management plan is underway through the Forever Wild program.  Chitwood asked people at the LMLPA meeting to consider voting to extend the Forever Wild program.

“Nature’s always watching and protecting us for free as long as we protect its engine,” Chitwood said.

During the LMLPA meeting, members took time to recognize those who have served as their water monitors.  They also reviewed the financial report for June 2010-September 2011 and discussed planning activities for the upcoming year, which includes water cleanup, tentatively scheduled for the middle of March.