REMARKS BY GOVERNOR SIEGELMAN IN ADDRESS TO THE ALABAMA COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES August 25, 2000 Alabama State Capitol Archives Room Montgomery, Alabama

            From the Tennessee Valley to the white sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico lies the most beautiful land on earth.  God created a special place - our home, Alabama.

            The natural heritage, natural beauty and natural wonders of Alabama are unparalleled among the 50 states.

            We're blessed with vast stretches of wilderness from the Bankhead National Forest to the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi - located at Little River Canyon - and the unique ecosystem of the Mobile Delta and Mobile Bay.

            And from the state's highest peak - Cheaha Mountain, you can stand and see several states - but none with beauty comparable to that we have in Alabama.

            Our beautiful lakes and waterways have given birth to rare and exotic wildlife and wildflowers.

            The natural heritage, natural beauty and natural wonders of Alabama are unparalleled among the 50 states - and we are making strides to keep it that way.

            Last year we purchased 47,000 acres of land in the Mobile Delta - the largest purchase of land in the state's history - to preserve this special ecosystem and home to endangered and unique species.

            On May 5th this year, I was honored to open Cathedral Caverns in North Alabama as a State Park.

            And on May 30th I was proud to announce a joint effort with the Army Corps of Engineers to reverse ecological changes in Mobile Bay by elevating portions of the causeway.

            And while we continue our efforts to attract new businesses to Alabama that bring with them high paying and high quality jobs - we will not compromise the protection and preservation of our environment and natural heritage.

            During my Listening Post Tour, I heard from people about a lot of issues.  And one that was clearly on the minds of Alabamians at every stop was the environment.

            I heard from people concerned about the quality of water.

            I heard from people concerned about the quality of air and about levels of PCB contamination.

            I heard from people concerned about the health of their children.

            I heard from people who want to preserve the beauty, natural resources and natural heritage of this state.

            I heard from people who want trash cleared from their waterways and roadways, and from people who want better state parks and expanded wilderness areas.

            I heard from people who want Alabama out of the top ten in toxic air emissions and toxic water discharges.

            All of you were asked to serve on this commission because you bring special expertise and unique perspectives in business, the environment and conservation.  But most importantly - all of you have Alabama's best interest at heart.

            Meeting the goals that have been set is vital if Alabama is to ensure the protection and preservation of our natural resources - and to continue our economic prosperity.

            The goals include:
                1.    Developing air and water standards
                2.    Protecting our fish and wildlife
                3.    Moving Alabama off  of non-attainment lists.

            Economic growth in Jefferson and Shelby counties is hindered because of ozone non-attainment status - and just last week the area faced more ground level ozone violations.

            This has resulted in an estimated loss of $4.6 billion dollars in capital investments in the 1990s.

            Eleven other counties are predicted to join Jefferson and Shelby on the non-attainment list by 2002.

                4.    The commission will identify environmentally sensitive areas and develop
                        strategies to protect them.
                5.    And the final priority is to move Alabama from the top ten in toxic air emissions
                        and toxic water discharge by the end of 2004.

            Alabama has turned the corner and we are headed in the right direction.

            We've changed education in Alabama for the better and we've changed it forever.

            We have laid the foundation for dramatic economic development and quality job growth.

            And we have made strides to protect our natural heritage and natural resources.

            This commission has the opportunity to now push that success even further to ensure we protect and preserve the Alabama that we all love.

            Again, thank you.

Back to ACEI home page