One Year Working to Keep the Flint River Clean!
ONE.YEAR.AGO.
One year ago, many of us had never heard of ADEM. Wastewater was not a term we discussed at dinner and we certainly did not think we would be involved in a legal battle over the location of a sewage plant.
One year ago, many of us did not know each other. We never attended an ADEM public forum, Madison County Commission meetings or stood in front of news cameras to share our love and shared use of the Flint River.
In the last year, we have made acquaintances into friends, neighbors into environmental conservationists, and founded a community across North Alabama committed to the health, ecology and recreational use of the Flint River. A neighbor recently said “I never knew I would make so many new friends over a poop plant.”
As you drive around our community this summer, take notice of all of the kayaks strapped to the back of pickups and hanging out of SUVs. When people come to float the Flint, they are supporting much more than just the local kayak businesses. They are grabbing donuts at Kay’s, lunch at Jefferson’s and running into stores for forgotten sunblock. Our community is united by the river that runs through it and it is up to us to protect it.
One Year Update:
LEGAL ACTION:
June 3, 2026: Lawyers from both sides went before a judge in the first of what we believe will be many hearings to prevent the building of a sewage plant off of Winchester Road in New Market that would discharge directly into the Flint River. The presiding judge denied the other side’s motion to dismiss and scheduled the next hearing to take place in August. We are pleased with the outcome of this first hearing and our legal team, Long and King, LLC, will continue to work diligently to pursue permanent injunctive relief, which would prevent the building of a sewage plant on this site.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/SOCIAL MEDIA:
2,880 neighbors have signed our pledge, over 1,220 Facebook followers, and are still growing. Individuals and local businesses are donating to fund our legal fees. We have a team of Alabama Water Watch trained water testers. We are meeting and networking with other environmental organizations in the Greater Huntsville area to share resources and strategies. We have partnered with our local kayak businesses to spread awareness.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
We are communicating with our local and state level officials on legislation and zoning. Madison County is one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama and we need thoughtful, sustainable planning and zoning restrictions to protect the Flint River, respect existing residents, and ensure the same or better quality of life for our future neighbors. We will continue to work with the County Commission and our state delegation to re-introduce our “Clean Rivers Bill” for the upcoming 2027 legislative session, and we will continue to attend and speak at public meetings to express our concerns to our elected officials.
We have come so far in one year and will continue to work to Keep the Flint River Clean!
