PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

06/14/07

From: John L. Wathen 205-233-1680

Friends of Hurricane Creek, Hurricane Creekkeeper, and Southern Environmental Law Center.

Press conference to announce legal challenges to the Eastern Bypass in Hurricane Creek Basin.

Conference will be held on Hurricane Creek at the Watson’s Bend site on Co. road 59, Holt Peterson Rd. (directions enclosed)

Date: Mon. 06/18/07

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Southern Environmental Law Center, Friends of Hurricane Creek and Hurricane Creekkeeper have issued a clear legal challenge to the Alabama Department of Transportation’s plan to build the Eastern By-Pass through the Hurricane Creek basin.

Since its inception, Friends of Hurricane Creek and Sierra Club have stood solid in the position that the Eastern Bypass was a bad idea and would negatively impact a highly acclaimed section of Hurricane Creek, known to be extremely diverse in both flora and fauna. The geological formations are like no other having both coastal plains and Appalachian Mountain characteristics.

After years of frustratingly slow and non-productive meetings and double talk on behalf of ALDOT, we are left with no recourse but to demand that ALDOT be held accountable under the laws of the land.

We have suggested in negotiations that a supplemental “Environmental Impact Statement” (EIS) was needed to address additional information and condition changes in the status of the creek. ALDOT has never fulfilled any of their obligations under the laws to address these issues. We now demand that these issues be addressed.

Southern Environmental Law Center has joined forces with FoHC, Hurricane Creekkeeper, and Sierra Club in demanding that a “Supplemental EIS” be done. Along with that is a demand for studies into the “indirect impacts” of the Bypass. We are also demanding that there be a “Cumulative Impact Study” be done based on the results of the “Growth Assessment”

We are suggesting that ALDOT be required to submit and adhere to a permit under the 404 of the Clean Water Act, “water dependence and alternatives”

All of these things are clear points on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). According to these laws ALDOT cannot continue with the project until all requirements are met.

By way of this notice we are also informing our congressman, Artur Davis of these discrepancies and ask him as House Ways and Means rep from this district, to investigate why these obligations have not been met already and order the additional studies at all due haste.

This project contains many elements of environmental injustice that also make the Eastern Bypass a bad idea. The sections of Holt and Cottondale where the bypass will run are both economically distressed and have no vote in city elections.

Hurricane Creekkeeper and FoHC will explain all Demands and points of law at the press conference along with copies of the letter from SELC and previous comments.

Friends of Hurricane Creek Press conference.

To be held at Watson’s Bend on Hurricane Creek.

Directions;

Leave University Mall going North on 15^th St. Cross over University Blvd. onto Sate Hwy. 216. Follow 216 past the Cemetery on the right and continue on until you cross the creek. Take the second paved road to the left. This will be County rd. 88. Follow 88 till you come to a STOP sign and turn left. Stay on this road till you cross the creek at a concrete bridge. There is a gated road just past the creek bridge that will be open. Turn right, into the gate and follow the road to the camp ground at the bottom of the hill.