Proposed Warehouse Development Raises Concerns for Big Spring Creek

Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited (CVTU) has issued a call to action regarding the proposed development of three warehouses in West Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania. The planned construction at 3485 Ritner Highway is located near Big Spring Creek, a high-quality, exceptional value waterway known for its thriving brook trout population.

CVTU, in collaboration with the Big Spring Watershed Association, has raised concerns about the potential harm the warehouse project could cause to the groundwater that feeds Big Spring Creek. The proposed development lies within 4,000 feet of the creek’s headwaters, posing a risk of contamination from stormwater runoff, especially due to the area's porous limestone geology.

CVTU has sent letters urging the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Cumberland County Conservation District to thoroughly review the stormwater management permit application submitted by the developer. They are calling for strict adherence to best management practices to protect the watershed and the community’s water supply.

Community members are encouraged to voice their concerns by sending comments to regulatory agencies while the permit is under review. Submit your comments to RA-EPWW-SCRO@pa.gov Be sure to include the NPDES Permit Application No. PAD210118 in the subject heading and provide your name and home address.

For more information and to get involved, visit this link.

28 Million Acres of Alaska BLM Lands Protected

The U.S. Department of the Interior recently announced the permanent protection of 28 million acres of public lands across Alaska. This decision safeguards vital habitats from potential mining, oil, and gas development, ensuring the preservation of some of the nation's last intact ecosystems.

The protected lands, known as "D-1" lands, span diverse regions including Bristol Bay, the Yukon-Kuskokwim, and the Ring of Fire. These areas are crucial for the survival of species like wild Pacific salmon, caribou, and moose, and support the subsistence lifestyles of Alaska Native communities. The move comes after extensive public consultation, with strong support from over 145,000 Alaskans, including more than half of the state's federally recognized Tribes.

The decision reverses a prior attempt by the Trump administration to open these lands to resource extraction, a move that was paused by the Biden administration pending environmental review. The protections are critical in mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring food security for rural communities reliant on these lands.

For more information, visit wildsalmoncenter.org.

Klamath River Flows Free

The Klamath River now flows completely freely for the first time in over 100 years. The removal of the final cofferdams at the former Iron Gate and Copco No. 1 dam sites marks the completion of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history, restoring access to over 400 miles of historical habitat for native salmon and steelhead. 

This achievement is the result of a 20-year effort by Tribal nations, conservation groups, and government agencies, aiming to revitalize the Klamath River ecosystem. The project will significantly improve water quality, support the resurgence of salmon populations, and restore critical cultural and subsistence resources for the Indigenous peoples of the Klamath Basin.

“Dam removal on the Klamath River is special not just because of its magnitude and impact, but because of all the people that came together to make this happen,” said Curtis Knight, Executive Director of California Trout. “We started this journey 24 years ago sitting at a negotiation table. Together this amazing community of committed people are pulling off the largest dam removal and restoration project in U.S. history.”

While the dam removal is complete, ongoing restoration efforts will continue to ensure the river's recovery and the long-term health of the ecosystem.

For more details on the project, visit caltrout.org.

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Urges Belizean Government to Reconsider Angelfish Caye Development

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) recently issued a letter to the Belize government opposing the development Anglefish Caye (aka Will Bauer Flat). The letter posits BTT’s strong support of the Belize Flats Fishery Association (BFFA) and numerous Belizean allies in their opposition to the proposed development. BTT requested that the Belizean government withdraw its approval of this project, emphasizing the urgent need to preserve the remaining critical habitat at Angelfish Caye, which is vital for sustaining the region's economy and biodiversity.

According to BTT’s research, development in sensitive marine flats habitats like Will Bauer would significantly harm essential flats species, disrupt local fishing operations, and negatively impact tourism. The proposed dredging for the Angelfish Caye LLC Eco-Resort and Private Residential Development would cause irreparable damage to the area and its associated economy.

BTT echoed concerns raised by the BFFA and others regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, particularly the insufficient involvement of key stakeholders such as local tour operators and fishers. The inadequacy of biological assessments in evaluating critical species, including bonefish, tarpon, and permit, further exacerbates the situation.

Read more here.

Unanimous Vote Advances False Albacore Management in North Carolina

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission has unanimously voted to advance rule-making for the management of false albacore, also known as "albies," a crucial species for recreational anglers and coastal businesses along the Atlantic coast. This 9-0 vote is a pivotal step towards establishing formal management measures aimed at protecting the species, which has been largely unregulated despite its growing importance.

The vote followed an outpouring of public support, with nearly 230 comments submitted during the public comment period—an overwhelming 99.5% in favor of stronger albie management. The Atlantic Saltwater Guides Association, which has been at the forefront of advocating for albie conservation, praised the decision as a critical move towards sustainable fisheries management.

This management initiative seeks to address concerns over the increasing pressure on false albacore populations due to both recreational and commercial fishing activities. The next steps in the regulatory process will unfold later this fall.

For more details, visit saltwaterguidesassociation.com.

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Files Lawsuit Against Atlanta for Violating CWA

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK), with legal representation from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Atlanta over ongoing pollution violations on the Chattahoochee River from the city’s largest wastewater treatment facility, the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center. The lawsuit, filed on September 6, alleges that the facility has been illegally discharging harmful pollutants, including elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, into the river in violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA).

The filing follows a 60-day notice sent to city officials in July, warning that legal action would be taken if the city did not stop its illegal discharge of pollutants. CRK’s legal team argues that the R.M. Clayton facility has consistently exceeded its wastewater discharge permit limits, harming the river’s ecosystem and threatening public health.

City officials initially attributed the facility’s failures to heavy rainfall and illicit discharges, but an inspection by the Georgia EPD found a widespread state of disrepair at the R.M. Clayton plant, with issues at nearly every stage of wastewater treatment.

“The City of Atlanta knows that the R.M. Clayton facility is failing and poses a serious threat to the health of the Chattahoochee River,” said Jason Ulseth, Riverkeeper and Executive Director of CRK. “Yet the city has allowed these failures to persist, endangering both people and wildlife who rely on the river.”

For more information about the lawsuit and CRK’s efforts to protect the Chattahoochee River, visit chattahoochee.org.

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