EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26
WHEREAS, one of Alabama's most important assets is its natural
environment, characterized
by clean air and clear waters; and
WHEREAS, Alabama is the home to the Tensaw Delta, one of the best
preserved and
most pristine deltas in the United States and
perhaps the world; and
WHEREAS, it is paramount that Alabama's forests, lakes, rivers,
and streams remain
unspoiled and untouched; and
WHEREAS, a lack of sufficient enforcement powers to stop damaging
runoff is
endangering many lakes and rivers; and
WHEREAS, economic growth in Jefferson and Shelby counties is hindered
by
ozone non-attainment status, resulting in an
estimated loss of $4.6 billion in capital investment in
the 1990's; and
WHEREAS, six more Alabama counties are predicted to join Jefferson
and Shelby
counties in 2001, with five more in 2002 as eight-hour
non-attainment areas; and
WHEREAS, the prevention of the destruction and pollution of Alabama's
natural
resources is a matter of state, federal and local
policy and one of great public concern; and
WHEREAS, a coordinated, comprehensive, planned public and private
effort is
needed to achieve the preservation of Alabama's
natural resources.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Don Siegelman, Governor of the State of Alabama,
by virtue
of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of Alabama, and for other good
and valid reasons, which relate thereto, do hereby
establish the Alabama Commission on
Environmental Initiatives which shall be comprised
of the following members:
1. The Governor, or his designee who shall serve as Chair;
2. The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources or his designee;
3. The Director of the Department of Environmental Management or his designee;
4. The State Forester or his designee;
5. The Director of the Alabama Development Office or his designee;
6. The Director of Department of the Economic and Community Affairs or
his designee;
7. The Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation or his designee;
8. The State Health Officer or his designee;
9. The First Lady of the State of Alabama or her designee;
10. One board member from the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust to be appointed
by the Governor; and
11. At least one community and/or business leader from each Congressional
district to be appointed by the Governor.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Governor may appoint additional
members
at a later date.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this commission is charged with researching
and
developing quality options to encourage the long
term preservation of Alabama's natural environment.
Areas to be addressed shall include, but are
not limited to, the following:
Development, implementation and improvement of water quality standards;
Development, implementation and improvement of air quality standards;
Identification of environmentally sensitive areas and the development of
strategies
to protect these areas;
Examination and recommendations regarding the adoption of laws creating
a
vehicle emissions inspection program particularly in non-attainment counties
in Alabama;
Strategies for the restoration and renovation of Alabama's State Parks;
Development of projects to clean up Alabama's roadsides, rivers, streams
and lakes;
Development of the necessary authority to enable the Alabama Department
of Environmental
Management to stop damaging runoff into Alabama's lakes and rivers;
Possible reform or restructuring of the Alabama Department of Environmental
Management to increase the department's accountability to the people of
Alabama;
Development of strategies to promote and preserve Alabama's bio-diversity;
and
Development of strategies to remove Alabama from the list of top ten states
in
toxic air emissions and toxic water discharges by the end of 2004.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this commission shall conduct public
hearings
to involve the citizens of Alabama and receive
input on ways to improve the quality of life in
Alabama as that quality of life is impacted by
our environment.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this commission shall meet at least
quarterly
or at the call of the Chair and shall report
its recommendations for the long term preservation
of Alabama's environment to the Governor on or
before January 15, 2001.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that upon reporting its recommendations to
the
Governor, the commission shall continue to meet
at the call of the Chair in order to assist in
the monitoring and implementation of its proposals.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall become effective
immediately upon the Governor's signature and
shall remain in effect until amended or
modified by the Governor.
DONE AND ORDERED this 26th day of April,
2000.
___________________________________
Don Siegelman
Governor
Attested:
_________________________________
Jim Bennett
Secretary of State
Last Updated: November 2, 2000