Page updated April 4, 2006
PENDING APPOINTMENTS TO ADEM'S ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION (EMC)
SENATE VOTE AT 2:00 PM TUESDAY, APRIL 4. -- PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATORS NOW AND ASK THEM NOT TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE EMC.
On Sunday, April 2, state Sen.Ted Little met with interested constituents re: the pending appointments to the EMC (ADEM's governing board). Sen. Little explained the process, provided contact info for other senators, answered questions, listened to comments, etc. More than forty citizens attended.
--- A vote on the appointments by the full Senate on Thursday March 30 was postponed due to (1) Sen. Little's request that he have additional time to hear from concerned constituents and (2) Sen. Rodger Smitherman's request that vice-chair Pat Byington remain on the EMC. (Gov Riley nominated Dr. Laurel Gardner of Auburn to replace Mr. Byington.) The Senate vote on the four appointees currently is scheduled for 2:00 pm, next Tuesday, April 4.
--- Appointments to the EMC have a major impact on ADEM and environmental protection in Alabama. It is imperative that appointees be experienced in environmental matters and aware of the social impacts of environmental issues.
--- Much controversy surrounds Gov. Riley's pending appointments to the EMC. Also in question is the process by which the pending confirmations of these appointments have made their way through the state Senate. Below is some background information, including links to recent newspaper articles.
Opelika-Auburn News: Sunday, April 2, 2006
Auburn senator to hold public meeting about candidates to commission
Associated Press (via WPMI.com): Friday, March 31, 2006
Senate delay gives groups more time to fight RileySenate delay gives groups more time to fight Riley's ADEM picks's ADEM picks
Mobile Register: Thursday, March 30, 2006
Two new enviro members named by Riley
One of the appointees to the state's Environmental Management Commission says she has no special training in the field
From AL Code Section 22-22A-6:
[re: composition of EMC -- Note: #6 below is the position currently held by Pat Byington, and for which Dr. Laurel Gardner of Auburn has been nominated.]
Qualifications of the seven members shall be as follows:
(1) One member shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of Alabama and shall be familiar with environmental matters;
(2) One member shall be a professional engineer registered in the State of Alabama and shall be familiar with environmental matters;
(3) One member shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Alabama and shall be familiar with environmental matters;
(4) One member shall be a chemist possessing as a minimum a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Alabama and shall be familiar with environmental matters;
(5) One member that has been certified by the National Water Well Association Certification Program;
(6) One member shall be a biologist or an ecologist possessing as a minimum a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and shall have training in environmental matters; and
(7) One member shall be a resident of the state for at least two years but shall not be required to have any specialized experience
