Blog - Coosa River Basin Initiative

Georgia Recorder Article Paints Grim Picture of Coal Ash in Georgia

Here is an excellent overview of the coal ash problem across the state from Jill Nolin at Georgia Recorder ...
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GA Power Plans to Leave Toxic Coal Ash in Groundwater at Plant Hammond

Georgia Power is seeking approval from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)for Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) permits to cap nearly ...
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Restoring the Coosa River Basin

If you are interested in supporting the restoration of the Coosa River Basin, become a member or donate today. The ...
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Georgia Recorder on the Trust Fund Victory

Jill Nolin of the Georgia Recorder wrote this excellent piece on the history of this long-lasting effort to dedicate environmental ...
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CRBI is Hiring!

CRBI is hiring a part-time Administrative Assistant! CLICK HERE for more details ...
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Fighting for Clean Water Under the Gold Dome

The 2021 Legislative Session is well under way. While CRBI is not traveling to the Capitol in person this year ...
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Eddied Out: Thinking about Rivers in a Time of Social Distancing

By: Nik Bergill “It looks like a goose flying backwards!” the young girl in my raft exclaimed. On another clear ...
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Connect with a Cause Through Citizen Science

By Courtnee Pope Hello, CRBI friends and family! My name is Courtnee Davenport and I am working as CRBI’s summer ...
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2020 Bacterial Monitoring Results

Green: 0-126 cfu/100mLconsidered safe for recreational use by the state of GeorgiaYellow: +126-235 cfu/100mLmoderate risk of illnessRed: +235 cfu/100mLhigh risk ...
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River Magic

Written By: Liz Spencer I love the water. Oceans, rivers, seas, lakes, ponds, puddles. I’ll jump into them all. By ...
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EPA Releases New Health Advisories for PFAS in Drinking Water. What Does it Mean for Your Health?

June 29, 2022

Blog Posts, Water Monitoring

On June 15th, 2022 the EPA released new health advisories (HAs) for a chemical group known as PFAS. The EPA’s health advisories are used by municipalities as guidelines for how to keep our drinking water safe and free from harmful chemicals and contaminants. Using the most current scientific evidence, they make recommendations for the best ways municipalities can protect public health. The group of manufactured chemicals in question, PFAS, has been under scrutiny for a number of years as research…

Rome News Tribune Article Covers Beginning Stages of CRBI’s PFAS chemical testing

March 17, 2023

Coverage, Water Monitoring

Rome News Tribune published an article that gives a great overview of CRBI’s plans for a multi-year study to determine the extent of PFAS contamination in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama. While it is clear that many of the waterways in our watershed are contaminated by PFAS chemicals from upstream manufacturers, the extent of the contamination is yet to be verified. We will be collaborating with Coosa Riverkeeper in Alabama to test sites and Cyclopure, a company in California to…

State Level Regulations Will Impact PFAS Usage

February 24, 2023

Advocacy, Blog Posts

In the summer of 2022 the EPA released new health advisories (HAs) for a chemical group known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals are widespread in the environment since they have been commonly used in manufacturing since the 1940s. They are used in the production of everyday items particularly carpet and textiles, non-stick cookware, food packaging, firefighting foam, aerospace, automotive production, construction materials, and electronics. The health advisory comes after mounting scientific evidence is proving that PFAS…

What Keeps Our Rivers Strong? Mussels!

August 10, 2022

Education, Restoration

In the streams and rivers of Northwest Georgia resides an unassuming but powerful champion of freshwaters. These heroes come in many shapes and sizes, can live up to 100 years in the right conditions, and go by many names including Oval Pigtoe, Rayed Pink Fatmucket, and Little Spectaclecase. They clean up the rivers, provide food to wildlife, and create safe habitats for aquatic critters. If you grew up along the rivers and creeks of North America you’ve almost certainly met…

CRBI, Harbin, Hardy Promote Safe Summer Recreation With the Launch of ‘Swim Guide’

May 24, 2022

Press Releases, Water Monitoring

Beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day, CRBI will collect bacterial water samples at 30 popular recreation sites in the upper Coosa River basin. Weekly reports on E.coli levels will help everyone enjoying our waterways to stay informed while they stay active. This vast project expansion is made possible by the generous support of Harbin Clinic and Hardy Realty. “Spending time on our rivers provides ample benefits to our overall well-being,” explains Harbin Clinic psychologist and CRBI Board…

Big News on Coal Ash from EPA

January 11, 2022

Advocacy, Blog Posts, Plant Hammond, Press Releases

Today, EPA took an enormous step toward addressing the real-world pollution concerns surrounding coal ash pond closure. In offering determinations on a handful of specific closure plans, EPA sent clear guidance on how the CCR (coal ash) Rule is to be implemented. From EPAs press release on January 11, 2022: “the proposed determinations re-state EPA’s consistently held position that surface impoundments or landfills cannot be closed with coal ash in contact with groundwater.” The press release further states that “Closure…