Blog - Coosa River Basin Initiative

Coosa River Basin Initiative and Coosa Riverkeeper Join Forces to Monitor PFAS Contamination in the Coosa River Basin

January 25, 2024

Advocacy, Press Releases, Water Monitoring

In response to growing concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their potential impact on public health, Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) and Coosa Riverkeeper are pleased to announce their collaboration on a crucial project aimed at monitoring PFAS contamination in the Coosa River Basin in Georgia and Alabama. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used in various industries for their stain resistant and flame retardant properties. Unfortunately, these persistent chemicals have been linked to potential health risks…

The Importance of Macroinvertebrates

August 21, 2023

Blog Posts, Education, Restoration

What Are Macroinvertebrates? Macroinvertebrates serve as the ecological cleaning services in aquatic ecosystems. While the name may sound unfamiliar at first glance, Northwest Georgia is home to many macroinvertebrates you likely know, such as Crayfish, Mayflies, Dragonflies, Clams, Mussels, and more! While here these small and sometimes bothersome creatures may seem like little more than pests, they’re actually crucial to our rivers’ ecosystems. These organisms affect even our local water sources such as the Coosa River Basin and serve an…

PUBLIC COMMENTS: EPA Moves to Weaken PFAS Limits in Drinking Water

July 14, 2026

Advocacy, Blog Posts

EPA has proposed two rules to weaken PFAS limits in drinking water. The deadline to submit written comments is Monday, July 20. BACKGROUND: In 2024, EPA finalized drinking water regulations that covered 6 PFAS compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO–DA [GenX], and PFBS). Utilities were given a 5-year runway to make appropriate plans to come into compliance with these drinking water limits by 2029 – this is the maximum amount of time permitted for compliance with a Safe Drinking Water…

Clean up of harmful PFAS pollution promised in northwest Georgia Coosa River Basin Initiative, SELC, settle federal case against city of Calhoun

August 8, 2024

Advocacy, Press Releases, Water Monitoring

Press release from the Southern Environmental Law CenterFor immediate release: August 8, 2024Contact:Jesse Demonbruen-Chapman, Coosa River Basin Initiative, 706-232-2724,jesse@coosa.orgTerah Boyd, Southern Environmental Law Center, 678-234-7990, tboyd@selcga.org ROME, Ga. — In one of the most comprehensive settlements of its kind in the nation,the city of Calhoun has agreed to take meaningful steps to protect northwest Georgia’swater supply from years of widespread PFAS pollution. Represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, Coosa River Basin Initiativeagreed to resolve a federal lawsuit against the…

Conservation groups petition EPA to revoke Georgia’s CCR Permit Program

August 1, 2024

Advocacy, Blog Posts, Plant Hammond, Press Releases

ATLANTA — Today the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Coosa River Basin Initiative, Altamaha Riverkeeper, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, the Sierra Club and others, petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke Georgia’s Partial Coal Ash Permit Program because it allows coal ash pollution of Georgia’s water resources by authorizing disposal of toxic coal ash in the groundwater, in violation of national safety standards. Coal ash, or coal combustion residuals (CCR), is generated from burning coal for…

Coosa River Basin Initiative Launches “Don’t Sink the Can” Anti-Littering Campaign with Support from International Paper

July 19, 2024

Advocacy, Education, Press Releases, Uncategorized

Rome, GA – July 19th, 2024 – The Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) is excited to announce the launch of the “Don’t Sink the Can” anti-littering campaign, with generous support from International Paper. This initiative, created in partnership with Cedar Creek RV Park, Euharlee Creek Outfitters, Castaway Kayaks and Etowah Adventure Company, invites outdoor enthusiasts to help protect our rivers by packing out their trash. As part of the campaign, participating outfitters will provide reusable bags to paddlers and adventurers,…

Coosa River Basin Initiative Invites Educators and Students to the Student Symposium for Watershed Innovation & Management (SSWIM)

July 9, 2024

Blog Posts, Education, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rome, Georgia, July, 10, 2024 — Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) is excited to announce that its first annual Student Symposium for Watershed Innovation & Management (SSWIM) is scheduled for April of 2025. This upcoming event will offer middle and high school students an opportunity to immerse themselves in hands-on environmental projects, explore innovative solutions to watershed challenges, and learn about careers in natural resources. Hosted by the Coosa River Basin Initiative with support from Berry College,…

Downstream Podcast Now Streaming

June 4, 2024

Education, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Coosa River Basin Initiative Launches Downstream Podcast: Indigenous Perspectives on Conservation Rome, Georgia – June 4, 2024 – Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) has just released the final episode of an 8 episode podcast called ‘Downstream: Indigenous Perspectives on Conservation”. The podcast is a platform where members of CRBI engage in insightful conversations with leaders from the Muskogee, Cherokee, and Choctaw tribes, exploring indigenous perspectives on conservation and what meaningful land acknowledgment looks like in the 21st…

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