Rock Creek Watershed Meeting in Addison, Alabama

Members of the Alabama Water Watch Program recently hosted a meeting about the Rock Creek Watershed. A coalition of groups including the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc., the Winston County Natural Resources Council, the Winston County Commission, private landowners, ADEM, the Cullman Soil and Water Conservation District, and Smith Lake residents, are working together to prepare a grant that could help protect and improve the Rock Creek watershed. In order to get more involvement by local residents, this meeting in Addison was held at the Cullman Electric Cooperative building. An overview of the watershed area, which includes land in both Winston and Cullman counties, was given by the Alabama Water Watch staff. Alabama Water Watch is drafting a proposal that will result in a grant application being submitted to ADEM in April. If funded, the grant will help implement a variety of practices to protect and improve water quality in Rock Creek.

The next day, a group toured various stops in the Rock Creek Watershed. More photos from the meeting and tour are here.

Flood Insurance Information

The Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) process

When your lender sends you a 45-day letter requiring you to purchase flood insurance, don’t panic. Here is what you should do.

First, get flood insurance before the 45 days expires. If you don’t, the lender will force place it. The premium will be very expensive. Ask for a “Preferred Risk Policy” or a “B,C,X rated policy”.

You will get ALL of your insurance premiums back if you are successful with the LOMA process.

Next,
You will need the following:
1. An Elevation Certificate. Call a surveyor or engineer to do this for you. Get someone who has survey experience around the lake. The surveyor or engineer should use the “Comments” section to explain how and from where he got the Base Flood Elevation used on the Elevation Certificate. For Alabama Power Company lakes, there have been no FEMA studies. However, there is “Best Available Data” that the community has sanctioned for these purposes.

2. A FIRMette which is a miniature version of the flood map panel on which your property and structure lies. The surveyor should be able to do this for you or you can do it yourself. If you want to do it yourself, use the following link to access FEMA’s Map Service Center web page. Follow the instructions and try the tutorial to “Create a FIRMette”. www.msc.fema.gov.

3. A copy of a properly recorded and registered deed or plat.

4. The Form 1 of the MT-1 Application package.

5. Send all four documents to FEMA at the address listed on the MT-1 Application instructions. The LOMA is free.

6. Wait 60 days for a response.

If FEMA agrees with your information that you are out of the special flood hazard area, you will receive a declaration document indicating that your structure is “REMOVED” from the floodplain.

DO NOT CANCEL YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE JUST YET!

Call your lender and inform him of these developments. Ask if he agrees/concurs. If he does agree, call your insurance agent and cancel your policy and request a refund of your premiums.

If the lender does not agree, you can call your insurance agent and request the “Preferred Risk Policy” which will be less than $300 per year. Escrow the premium. Remember, by Federal statute, the lender has the final say concerning the purchase of flood insurance. FEMA has no authority beyond the flood map review. And, if you have no mortgage, insurance is not required.

Download forms from FEMA:
Elevation Certificate
MT-1 Application Forms


SHOULD YOU HAVE PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS CALL

James K. Meredith, CFM

NFIP State Coordinator
State of Alabama

401 Adams Avenue
P.O. Drawer 5690
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5690
Office: (334) 353-0853
Fax: (334) 242-0776
BlackBerry: (334) 590-4756

A trip down Rock Creek

Last Saturday (11-14-2009) members of Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy and Alabama Water Watch took a kayak and canoe trip down the upper portions of Rock Creek.

This excursion was part of the Rock Creek Watershed Management Plan project, an effort to raise awareness and provide people with tools for keeping this watershed safe and clean.

In the coming months, the AWW will pursue a good, solid plan for keeping the Rock Creek Watershed safe and sound and it welcomes citizen participation in the project.

The Rock Creek Watershed covers nearly 200-square miles and is a significant source of water for Smith Lake. Keeping this watershed safe and clean goes a long ways towards keeping Smith Lake itself safe and clean.

There were 10 people involved and using kayaks and canoes the participants paddled down about 4 1/4^th miles of the upper Rock Creek. They put in where Winston County Road 39 crosses Blevens Creek, followed the Blevens to where it joined Rock Creek and then down to an abandoned bridge where Winston County Road 66 crossed Rock Creek.

This section of creeks features some rapids but not severe ones, wildlife (participants saw birds and a beaver) and the beauty of nature.

meeting @ 7:00 P.M. November 12th

There will be a meeting in Addison at the new Cullman Electric Bldg on 278 @ 7:00 P.M.on Thursday November 12th. to explain about the 1st small grant acquired to proceed with the watershed study of the Rock Creek Watershed. Dr.William Deutsch, Eric Reutebuch and Mona Scruggs , from Auburn will explain why the Rock Creek watershed is being studied . The Rock Creek Watershed includes Crooked Creek and White Oak Creek as well as Rock Creek.

We had a local clean-up of White Strofoam Friday morning November 6th. The west side of White Oak and about 1/2 way down on the east side is clean. We would like to complete the clean-up of White Oak and Crooked Creek on some warm morning. These were local home owners helping to clean up their own area. We need 3 0r 4 volunteers for the next clean-up.
The "Advocacy" has the boat, equipment and operator. Will you help us keep your backyard on the lake clean? give me a call LaVerne Matheson 256-747-4422 (Winston County only, includes Crooked Creek)

2009 FAWN Program at Houston Recreation Area

The annual FAWN (Forestry Awareness Week Now) programs were held on October 16th and 20th, at Houston Recreation Area in the Bankhead National Forest. This event is sponsored by the Winston County Natural Resources Council, and has been held every year for at least the last 14 years. In fact, this year a teacher told me that she had attended the FAWN program as a sixth grader herself. The first day of FAWN was rained out and had to be rescheduled, but everyone pulled together to make the adjustments necessary to have a successful event. Over 300 sixth graders attended the two days of FAWN. Each FAWN program featured eight learning stations about natural resources in Winston County. New learning stations this year included Boating Safety and Hunter Safety. FAWN would not be possible without all the people that volunteer to be presenters, guides, and facilitators. Here's a link to some photos of the event. Special thanks to Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. for making possible presentations on Water Quality by Judy Lambert and Mary Ann Crunk, and Boating Safety by Curtiss Cantrell of the U. S. Coast Guard.

October 24th slough clean-up

We had about everything possible to ruin the clean-up,high water in the lake,rain Saturday morning and cold weather that morning. We had dumpsters at Lakeshore Marina and Inn, old yellow creek marina.Duncan Bridge Marina and Jim Kings (boathouse bulder)Alabama power sent us 1,000 bags for the clean-up. Thanks to Bill Boyd,Carl Godsey,Ray Kelly and Jim King for allowing The Advocacy to use their facilities and then to Tarrie Hyche for furnishing all four dumpsters. Please thank these people for their interest in helping you and I clean-up this Beautiful lake.

Advocacy update

We had a board meeting Oct. 6th the following was discussed
1-Hopefully the monies for purchasing and putting signs on all tributaries on Smith Lake in Winston County will be approved soon.
2- We will be particapting in the Fawn program Oct. 15th&16th
3-Mona Scruggs told us that the grant for studing the Rock Creek watershed has been approved. Mona hopes to have a power point watershed program complete before 2010.
4-The 2010 cleanup dates have been approved by Doug Powell Al. renew our rivers program.
5-Discussed slough clean-up on the 24th.
6- discussed burning abandoned platforms laying on shorelines around the lake. John Lebetter will have one of there people go with us, to approve abandoned platforms.
7- water tested looks good.
8- xmas party for the board in December.
Next Board Meeting January 2010

natural resource coucil meeting

September Meeting Minutes
Posted: 18 Sep 2009 01:24 PM PDT
The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, September 17, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs. The following members were present: Allison Cochran (serving as the Chairperson and Secretary), LaVerne Matheson, James Burnett, John Creed, and Jim Hughes.The following topics were discussed:-FAWN program - No changes needed.-FAWN transportation - $1000 to be provided by the County Commission-FAWN walk-thru on Wednesday, Oct 14 @ 9AM-Alabama Natural Resource Council of the Year Award - $1200 to be presented to the WCNRC at the Cullman County Field Day.-Suggestion by members present that Mike collect names of our folks attending the Field Day & call and register for us.-National Public Lands Day - Bankhead - Saturday, Sept 26. Council approved donating $100 for food if it is needed - Wait & see.-October 24 - Winston Co. Smith Lake Advocacy is having a Slough Clean-up. Private boats are needed to clean-up all Winston Co. sloughs. Bags & dumpsters will be at 4 locations TBD.-Alabama Water Watch/AU submitted the 319 planning grant for Rock & Crooked Creeks.-Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. is installing signs on the lake at each tributary with the trib/creek name on it.Note: Thanks to Allison for chairing this meeting during the officers' absence.

September Meeting Minutes
Posted: 18 Sep 2009 01:24 PM PDT
The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, September 17, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs. The following members were present: Allison Cochran (serving as the Chairperson and Secretary), LaVerne Matheson, James Burnett, John Creed, and Jim Hughes.The following topics were discussed:-FAWN program - No changes needed.-FAWN transportation - $1000 to be provided by the County Commission-FAWN walk-thru on Wednesday, Oct 14 @ 9AM-Alabama Natural Resource Council of the Year Award - $1200 to be presented to the WCNRC at the Cullman County Field Day.-Suggestion by members present that Mike collect names of our folks attending the Field Day & call and register for us.-National Public Lands Day - Bankhead - Saturday, Sept 26. Council approved donating $100 for food if it is needed - Wait & see.-October 24 - Winston Co. Smith Lake Advocacy is having a Slough Clean-up. Private boats are needed to clean-up all Winston Co. sloughs. Bags & dumpsters will be at 4 locations TBD.-Alabama Water Watch/AU submitted the 319 planning grant for Rock & Crooked Creeks.-Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. is installing signs on the lake at each tributary with the trib/creek name on it.Note: Thanks to Allison for chairing this meeting during the officers' absence.

water testing class

Training in Arley yields four new trainers for Alabama Water Watch
by Eric Reutebuch, AWW Publications Coordinator

Dr. Bill Deutsch and Sergio Ruiz-Cordova traveled to Arley, Alabama to train a group of Alabama Water Watch-certified volunteer monitors to become AWW trainers Saturday, September 12th. The AWW Training of Trainers Workshop was held at the Meek High School in Arley. The AWW Program has been training citizens throughout the state to test the water quality of their local streams, rivers, lakes, bays and bayous since 1993. Bill quickly realized that the exponential growth in volunteer monitors could not be sustained with just a couple of AWW trainers, and developed the Training of Trainer Workshop in 1995. Currently, the AWW Program has about 40 trainers statewide, and AWW-certified volunteer trainers conducted about 2/3rds of trainings within the past year. Since 1993, over 5,000 Alabamian have been certified as AWW water monitors.

The ranks of AWW trainers gained four new recruits at the Arley training, and two veteran trainers went through the Trainer Refresher Workshop. The workshop participants came from the Black Warrior, Coosa and Tennessee River basins, and represented five AWW monitor groups (listed below). New trainees included:

9 John Kulbitkas representing Smith Lake Civic Association

9 Larry Barkey representing Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc.

9 James Mason representing Huntsville Senior Environment Corps

9 Loretta Weninegar representing Columbia High School in Huntsville, AL

Trainers that got refreshed included:

9 Ray O'Donnell representing RSVP/Marshall County

9 Isabella Trussell representing Logan Martin Lake Protection Association

Bill opened the workshop with an overview of AWW Program trends. He then reviewed the Executive Summary of the 2008 AWW Annual Report, and lead a discussion "Thinking about AWW in the Big Picture", touching on comparative advantages of AWW monitoring, maintaining quality citizen water data, interpretation of the citizen data, better use of the data, and AWW success stories and local initiatives.

Other topics of discussion included volunteer monitor group dynamics, levels of AWW certification, role of the Alabama Water Watch Association, what is involved in becoming a trainer, planning an AWW workshop, preparing for a workshop, conducting a workshop, and following up after a workshop.

Special thanks to Ms. Susette Rohde, the Meek High School science teacher who assisted with training logistics and provided delicious home-made treats for the participants! To locate an AWW trainer near you and request a training workshop, go to the AWW website at www.alabamawaterwatch.org and click on the Monitor Resources menu, or call the AWW toll-free number at (888) 844-4785. And the next time that you’re out cruising on a beautiful lake, paddling down a picturesque stream, or fishing in a productive bayou, remember to shout out a big “Thank You!” to the selfless volunteer trainers – like John, Larry, James Loretta, Ray and Isabella, and the volunteer monitors who give hundreds of hours of their time to watch over and protect the rich aquatic resources of our State.

Advocacy Board Meeting Sept. 9th

we had a very productive meeting and today I will comment only on a few Items discussed and voted on.
1- Alabama Water Watch would like to have more e-coli testing on Smith Lake.
2-Advocacy will particapate at Fawn this year, explaining how and why water is tested on Smith Lake. Last year there were approximately, 300, 5th grade students, during 2 days of workshops.
3-We are planning to put up signs on all the different tributaries on Smith Lake in Winston County. This will allow you to tell a friend where you live and he can come to your house. This will allow strangers to boat on Smith Lake, know where they are on the lake and not get lost.
4-There will be a slough cleanup in Winston County on Saturday October 24th. Alabama power is furnishing all bags for this cleanup. There will be dumpsters at several locations "undecided yet". There will be a notice later telling where the dumsters will be and where to pick up the bags. Boy Scouts can recieve badges for helping with Smith Lake Cleanups. We need your boat, if you don't have a boat, we still need your help. For more information 256-747-4422

jellyfish

Freshwater Jellyfish in Smith Lake
Posted: 24 Aug 2009 06:12 AM PDT
Kathy Potocsnak called me recently about a mystery organism that she'd found near her boat dock on Smith Lake. Since I couldn't recognize it from a verbal description, she brought one to the office. I made some photos and sent them to Rusty Wright, Extension Fisheries Specialist. Here's his response:"Yep that is a freshwater jellyfish. I usually get 1-2 calls a year confirming the presence of these critters in our lakes and ponds. I think many times I'm settling a bet! "Freshwater jellyfish, Craspedacusta sowerbyi, is a non-native species originally from Asia. It is now common virtually globally. They eat small zooplankton but there is no evidence that they do any damage to our ecosystems. People see them most often from clear lakes, pools, and reservoirs: however they are also in more cloudy turbid water as well it is just that we can't see them as well in those systems. "It is an interesting critter!"Here's a link to the U. S. Geological Survey's web page about these jellyfish.This jellyfish was actively swimming around in the jar. It swim throught the water for a few seconds, then it would pause and just float. After I made these photos, Kathy took the jellyfish back to the lake.Thanks to Rusty for the identification of the photos, and to Kathy for bringing the freshwater jellyfish to our office.

Clean Water Act

The government is currently planning/discussing making a major change to this ACT. This change has already been passed forward from the "committee" and is now in the hands of congress. This major change is to designate the Corp Of Engineers and E.P.A. to oversee the waters in all the watersheds in the United States. This I think would be a disaster!!! Currently the Corp Of Engineers oversee all navigable waters in the United States. They currently do not have money enough to maintain/dredge the waterways they are now responsible for. E.P.A. is also short of money and manpower, way behind on issuing permits, which can be extremely expensive.We need both the EPA and the Corp of Engineers to continue there present responsibilities but we do not need more government regulations and control of our everyday life and land. Should anyone want me to explain how this would be a disaster I will be happy to do so._________________
Should you not want this change to the Clean Water Act call your Senators and Congressman and tell them I do not want the Corp Of Engineers and EPA overseeing all watersheds in the U.S. Leave it like it was.
President of Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc.
Member of Bankhead National Forest liaison panel
Member of Winston County Natural Resource Council.

flood insurance

Summary of a conversation between LaVerne Matheson, President, Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc., and Janice Mitchell, FEMA
Re: Flood Insurance
770-220-5441/Atlanta Georgia
The following is information as I understood it in my conversation with Janice Mitchell on Thursday, August 13, 2009:
1) There probably has never been a 100 year flood plain map completed on Lewis Smith Lake. When the lake was built in the early sixties there was no National Flood Insurance; thus, no map was required.
2) Where no 100 year flood plain map has ever existed, all “dark shaded” areas on the new flood zone maps are considered to be in class A (the most expensive flood insurance class). This would require all lenders to request flood insurance prior to the acquisition of any federally backed mortgage (and probably bank mortgages on a home or building, as well) regardless of the elevation of the property. In order to contest the requirement for flood insurance on the property, the property owner must obtain a new elevation survey, plus supply additional data, then request a reevaluation of FEMA’S data on the property. When the evaluation is completed, the owner will be notified of the findings, and whether flood insurance will be required. Even if FEMA rules that you do not need flood insurance for your mortgage, the lender can review the flood map, note that your property is in the “dark shaded” area and then the LENDER can require flood insurance before a closing. FEMA can do nothing about the lender’s request for flood insurance, but because your property is now in class X, your insurance should be less costly.
3-The expense of making any change to the flood insurance for Smith Lake would have to borne by Winston County, and would very costly for a hydrology engineer. FEMA might accept the new elevation maps from the engineer, but would it change the flood insurance requirement or the cost of flood insurance?
4-From my conversation with Janice Mitchell the best solution is to have your lot, development or property resurveyed, ascertain the correct elevation on your property and then ask for a reevaluation.
Janice Mitchell will discuss your problem with you and explain what might be best for you and what is required for a reevaluation of your property. JUST GIVE JANICE A CALL!!!!

membership form

WINSTON COUNTY SMITH LAKE ADVOCACY, INC.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM


Mission Statement: The mission of Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy is to preserve and protect the environmental quality of Lewis Smith Lake and its tributaries through education of the public and the promotion and implementation of sound environmental practices.

Name____________________________________________ (Please print)

Mailing Address_____________________________________
______________________________________
Phone______________________________________

Email address_______________________________ (all notices and information will be sent to your email address unless you specify phone or US mail)
Dues enclosed_________ ($10 per household or business per year; $100 lifetime) Make check payable to “WCSLAI”
Mail check and form to: Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc. P. O. Box 435 Arley, AL 35541
2009 Board of Directors

Linda Atkinson
Larry Barkey
Bob Beatty
Kitty Chance
Mary Ann Crunk
Paul Gillette
Tom Grubbs
Barry Johnson
Burt Jones
Judy Lambert
LaVerne Matheson
Dennis Quinn

Watershed progress

Mona Scruggs a graduate student at Auburn is going to assist us in completing a watershed power point program that we will be showing to high school students who are in science,biology or FFA classes. This power point program will explain to these students the importance of taking care of the watershed by showing pictures of improper use and care of the watershed but also a better or correct way to manage property in the watershed. The pictures for this power point program will all be taken in Winston County. We want all associations,civic clubs etc. to know that we will be delighted to show this program to your group. This program will be completed this year.
We are trying to make everyone aware that if we do not take care of the watershed, that supplies all the water for Smith Lake, that Smith Lake will become polluted in future years
There is currently an application for a small grant being prepared and sent to EPA and Adem. This grant will allow us to complete the Power Point program and also study the watershed for Rock Creek only.
Rock Creek was put on the 303D list in 1996 which means it has some pollution. When the study of Rock Creek is completed, should we decide to go fotward, there would be public meetings, a very detailed plan of how we would correct the problems that have or are contributing to the pollution problems on Rock Creek, and then a large grant would be applied for.
I have been assured that this will be a local project and there will be no new regulations of any kind applied to any property existing in this watershed, from acquiring a government grant.
Should you have any quetions about these plans please call me 256 -747- 4422 or Mike Henshaw your county extension agent 205-489-5376

Advocacy News

We had a board meeting on July 8th at 10 A.M. at Traders and Farmers Bank in Arley.
Some of the Items discussed:
The June Clean-up on Clear Creek , removed 11 truck loads of styrofoam plus a dumpster of trash.
There are 18 test sites on the lake in Winston Co. currently, 16 active sites are being tested every month.
We will have Al. Powers coloring books"1500" ready for all students, kindergarden through 3rd grade in Winston Co. this summer.
We will have 2 directors explaining why and how we test water, at the Fawn program in October.
Saturday October 24th we are going to have a 1 day clean-up of all sloughs in Smith Lake in Winston County
We now have a Graduate student from Auburn who will assist us developing a watershed power point program for us to present at High Schools and other local organization. We are also considering a watershed program for the Rock Creek Watershed.
We have a committee studing putting signage up on Smith Lake in Winston County at the mouth of all tributatries,helping visiting boaters and local boaters to know where they are on the lake.
These are a few of the projects that "The Advocacy" is currently working on. Do you want to see Smith Lake continue to be clean and beautiful. Join "The Advocacy" and help us keep Smith Lake as it is now, forever!!!!

Smith Lake Watershed Meeting

A meeting was held on June 17th by Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. (WCSLAI) about possible efforts to improve the Smith Lake watershed. Of particular concern is Rock Creek, which is on the state's 303d list as an impaired stream. At the meeting opening comments were made by LaVerne Matheson of WCSLAI. Dr. Bill Deutsch, Director of the Alabama Water Watch, and Auburn graduate student, Mona Scruggs, presented information about the lake. They also mentioned the possibility of securing grant funds to improve the Rock Creek watershed. To receive these funds a Watershed Plan would need to be developed. Dr. Sam Fowler, Director of the Alabama Water Resources Research Institute at Auburn University, also spoke to the group about the benefits of a watershed plan. He highlighted the resources at Auburn University that could be used to help implement a plan.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/alabama/documents/mosley_newsrelease.pdf

Matheson Honored with Mosley Environmental Award

Winston County resident LaVerne Matheson has been selected as the recipient of the W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Award. The prestigious award, administered by Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, recognizes individual achievements in promoting the wiser use of renewable natural resources. Matheson was nominated for his outstanding efforts to conserve the water resources of Winston County and Smith Lake while educating residents and local leaders about our unique natural resources.

Matheson led the effort to establish Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc in 2006 and has served as President of the group since that time. The Advocacy group’s mission is to preserve and protect the environmental quality of Lewis Smith Lake and its tributaries through education of the public and promotion and implementation of sound environmental practices. “Laverne Matheson is the backbone of the group and is responsible for a number of achievements.” states Linda Atkinson, secretary/treasurer of Smith Lake Advocacy. Bankhead National Forest’s Wildlife Biologist Tom Counts commented that “Laverne is one of those unique individuals who saw a need and acted on it. He has put in many, many hours of personal time to organize the Advocacy group. By effectively enlisting the support of many hard working people the group has achieved much success.” Some of the group’s achievements include testing Smith Lake’s water at 18 sites in Winston County as a part of the Alabama Water Watch effort and working with Alabama Power Company’s Renew Our Rivers program. Through the Renew Our Rivers waterways clean-up program over 45 river miles have been cleaned-up resulting in an estimated 550 tons of debris removed from our waters. “Not only does LaVerne do the work of conserving our natural resources, he is committed to teaching others about their importance” states Winston County Extension Coordinator Mike Henshaw.

Matheson will be honored during the June Renew Our Rivers clean-up on Smith Lake. The clean-up will be held at the Clear Creek Recreation Area on Bankhead National Forest June 11-13. Volunteers, sponsors, and friends of the Lake are invited to Saturday’s picnic at the Bayleaf Pavilion at Clear Creek, where Matheson will receive the Mosley Environmental Award. The Award includes a certificate of recognition, a cash award, and a framed, limited-edition reproduction of a forestry-wildlife painting.

Rock Creek Clean-ups

The "Advocacy" decided to designate 5 separate areas this year on Rock Creek and it's tributaries. There is no scheduled clean-up for Rock Creek this year, but when homeowners/property owners have 6/8 people who will work for 1 day, during the week, we will bring our boat, 50 feet long, with life jackets and tools and assist them in picking up the styrofoam in their area. They will have to load and unload the white styrofoam.
5 AREAS ARE:
1-Crooked Creek and White Oak
2-Rock Creek from triple creek marina to "head" of Rock Creek
3-Bailey Bridge south including Little Crooked Creek
4-Rock creek from Little Crooked Creek to the Sipsey including Bear Branch
5- From the Sipsey to Duncan Bridge including Dismal and Little Dismal.
For information Call LaVerne Matheson 256-747-4422

Winston County Assign-A-Highway Program Volunteer Inspectors

The Assign-A-Highway program is looking for some volunteers to help with the roadside inspections that take place twice a month. This would simply mean that you would drive through an assigned section of highway to make sure that the garbage is being picked up. If the filled bags are still on site, we would like you to make sure they are being placed in the proper location and that the bag tags are being attached. If you think you might be interested in being a Volunteer Inspector please give Crystal a call at 205-489-8887 for more information. She currently has workers in the following areas and would like volunteers to monitor their work cleaning the roadsides:

• Addison: County Road 41 North, County Road 39 North and County Road 99
• Arley: County Road 41 near Duncan Bridge
• Double Springs: 3 sections of Hwy 195 (from Scenic Drive to the Walker Co line)
• County Road 327 and County Road 28
• Haleyville: County Road 11
• Grayson area: County Road 63 and County Road 3171
  

Thanks for your support of the Winston County Assign-A-Highway Program.

Thanks to WCSLAI for FAWN Contribution

Just wanted to say thank you to the Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. for the $1,000 donation to the FAWN Program. The Winston County Natural Resources Council sponsors the annual outdoor field day for all of Winston County's sixth graders free-of-charge. As you can imagine, bus transportation costs have risen sharply during the past two years. This donation will allow the Council to continue the tradition of providing this educational experience at no charge to our youth. This blog post reports on last year's FAWN program. We also appreciate the leadership of WCSLAI members Laverne Matheson, Tom Grubbs, Mary Ann Crunk, Judy Lambert, Allison Cochran, and others at the FAWN program. Pictured here at the WCSLAI Public Meeting on April 3rd, 2009, are Mike Henshaw-Alabama Cooperative Extension System, John Sudduth-Winston County Natural Resources Council, Laverne Matheson-President of WCSLAI, and Frank Tidwell-Business Manager for Alabama Power's Haleyville and Hamilton Offices.