http://bhamweekly.com/birmingham/articles.sec-39-1-green-space.html The City Council voted earlier this week to apply for the grant to install seven pedestrian bridges in various spots throughout the 5.9mile path hewn by the April 27 tornado. The total cost of the project is estimated at $17.5 million, but the grant calls for a 20 percent match. Tuscaloosa residents would be on the hook for $3.5 million.]]> Early Saturday morning, on a day trip organized by the Cahaba River Society, a group of committed naturalists, hardy outdoorsmen and women, and a metro something photographer trundled off I-59 from Bham and turned down Hwy 5 past Centreville towards Selma to the Perry Lakes and Barton’s Beach Parks. ]]> A few weeks ago in a story about the special class at Elyton School, I mentioned a Civil War sword sticking out of a tree we used to watch for every time we drove down Third Avenue. It was part of a sad sweet story of love unfulfilled.]]> According to John Wathen, Hurricane Creekkeeper for the Friends of Hurricane Creek, “Coal mining has been a serious problem in Hurricane Creek for many generations causing it to be placed on the EPA’s impaired streams list. ]]> A mine on Hurricane Creek is polluting the waters that flow into the Black Warrior River and its owner should be forced to begin meeting its permit, according to a lawsuit filed by the nonprofit groups Black Warrior Riverkeeper and the Friends of Hurricane Creek.]]> One of my first memories of my dad was at Lock 17. Judging by the number there must be many locks on the Black Warrior River, but this one seems special.]]> Here are some of the programs supported by the Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham-Southern College: What do you get when you combine great libations, a harvest supper by Whole Foods Market, and Birmingham’s coolest live & silent auction? ]]> This week the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) released its evaluation of the Northern Beltline highway project, drawing opposition from the Black Warrior Riverkeeper, an environmental watchdog group with a mission for protecting the river.]]> There are plenty of reasons for us to appreciate how precious our water is and to take practical steps each day to use less of it. For one thing, there are critical shortages of this life-sustaining resource in many parts of the world. ]]> NEW NUKES: The directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority announced recently that they plan to finish building the Bellefonte nuclear reactor in Hollywood, Ala. They spent mega-bucks on before dropping it in 1988 due to cost overruns and other factors, according to an Aug. 18 report by Matthew L. Wald of The New York Times (www.nytimes.com). ]]> STOPPING NASTY FLATULENCE: The Alabama Wildlife Federation has recognized Calera-based Southern Lime Company as Air Conservationist of the Year, according to an August 15 report by Brad Gaskins of The Shelby County Reporter.]]> COAL AND WATER DON’T MIX: Alabama’s waterways have been threatened on several fronts in the past year. According to the Southern Environmental Law Center, two coal mines in the Birmingham metro area— Rosa Mine and the proposed Shepherd Bend mine—would pollute the Black Warrior River and, by extension, Birmingham’s drinking water. But the Magic City isn’t the only one whose water supply may be endangered.]]> NOT SO FAST, EDDIE: Two Democratic congressmen have filed legislation to strip Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas of revenues from offshore oil drilling in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. ]]> COAL MINE CONTROVERSY: Eco-groups Black Warrior Riverkeeper and the Southern Environmental Law Center say they will continue to fight a permit issued to the operators of the proposed Shepherd Bend coal mine on the Black Warrior River, despite a recent legal setback. ]]> CHECKBOOK DEMOCRACY: Greenpeace has accused 15 members of the U.S. House of Representatives—all of whom get substantial financial support from the energy business—of fighting attempts to set tougher federal standards for pollutants from coal-fired power plants. ]]> WORRY ON THE MOUNTAIN: According to the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, Birmingham Mayor William Bell’s proposed budget allocates no money for Ruffner, a funding cut that could threaten the continued existence of the Center and its education and recreation programs. ]]> LEGISLATIVE GREEN UPDATE: We welcome Adam Snyder of Conservation Alabama for his latest update of the status of eco-related bills under consideration in the Alabama legislature:]]> LEGISLATIVE GREEN UPDATE: We welcome Adam Snyder of Conservation Alabama for his biweekly update of the status of ecorelated bills under consideration in the Alabama legislature:]]> As we learned from our voracious Earth Day research last issue, there is a tiny little interval during which civic merrymaking can be comfortably enjoyed before the infernal brilliance of a Birmingham summer sears us in our own juices. ]]> LEGISLATIVE GREEN UPDATE: We welcome Adam Snyder of Conservation Alabama for his biweekly update of the status of eco-related bills under consideration in the Alabama legislature]]>