Watchdog

Watchdog Campaign 
A Project of the Alabama Environmental Council

1-800 WTCHDOG Helpline

Since 1994, the 1-800 Watchdog helpline has been assisting people with their environmental concerns and helping them find solutions to environmental problems. The Alabama Environmental Council will provide you with information, advice, and helpful contacts.

Calls Reported to the Watchdog Helpline

Common Watchdog Issues

Non-Point Source Water Pollution 
Non-point source water pollution is the most commonly reported problem to the Watchdog Helpline. Non-point sources of water pollution are those that are spread across the land and are washed by the rain into creeks, rivers, lakes and bays.

Non-point source pollution from large-scale concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is an issue that the Watchdog Campaign has been watching closely. There is a trend in animal agricultural that is moving from small family farms to large, corporate owned, factory farms. This method of concentrating large numbers of animals (and their waste) in one place is causing severe water pollution across the country. Alabama has very weak regulations on factory farms and the corporate hog industry is moving into our state.

Illegal Dumping 
Illegal dumps are the second most commonly reported call to the Watchdog helpline. Illegal dumps pose a serious threat to our environment and public health. Alabama has no comprehensive program to address illegal dumps and no clean-up funds have been established. Only 7 counties have mandatory garbage pick-up, giving the "dumpers" the freedom to decide where to dispose their trash.

How you can get involved… 
Be a Watchdog for your environment, become a volunteer for the Watchdog Campaign.

The Alabama Environmental Council depends upon people like you to help protect Alabama's natural environment. Alabama is ranked 2^nd in the country for biodiversity, yet we are ranked last for environmental protection. Help us ensure that your children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy our state's natural heritage.

Get involved! Any amount of time you can give is appreciated. Read over the volunteer opportunities below and contact the Alabama Environmental Council's office. Contact information on front.

WATCHDOG Investigator

• Investigate an environmental problem that is reported to the 1-800-WTCHDOG helpline that is in your county or region. 
• Document problem by taking pictures and notes of what occurred. 
• Assist caller by providing resources and encouragement that will help them follow through on their concerns. 
• Contact local media to provide coverage of problem. 
• Work with caller for regulatory relief if their own efforts fail.

Marketing Manager

• Help develop press releases. 
• Provide local publications with Watchdog PSAs to help publicize the 1-800 helpline. 
• Write stories about environmental news in your area. 
• Write editorials about environmental issues to be published in your local paper. 
• Help develop the new Neighborhood Environmental Watchdog Guide. 
• Help update the Watchdog Website.

Issues Coordinator

• Work on one of the following environmental issues (or another issue of your interest): Illegal dumps, erosion and sediment control, concentrated animal feeding operations 
• Give presentations to, or meet with local officials about the issue. 
• Help generate support through letter writing or phone calls. 
• Write editorials for local paper about the issue. 
• Organize a public meeting to educate your community.

Speakers Bureau Coordinator

• Seek out organizations that would be interested in hearing a presentation about the Watchdog Campaign. 
• Schedule and give Watchdog Campaign presentations to these organizations. 
• Help train others on how to give Watchdog presentations.

Data Coordinator 

• Assist the Watchdog Coordinator in gathering data about past environmental problems (cases) reported to the hotline. 
• Phone previous "Watchdogs" to find out more information about the status of their case. 
• Help develop a new Watchdog publication  -  What is Happening to Alabama's Environment, Highlights of Watchdog Campaign Cases. 
• Update database. 
• Develop "storyboards" for past cases. 
• Help train other volunteers.

Illegal Dumps Project

• Assist Watchdog Coordinator in executing Dumps Project. 
• Investigate illegal dumps by taking pictures, reporting dump, writing elected officials. 
• Organize community clean-ups. 
• Help develop the Dumps Map that plots the dumps within Jefferson County. 
• Help distribute Dumps Poster strategically around county. 
• Help develop brochure to be used for publicity on the campaign. 
• Meet with various people within the Jefferson county community and promote the Dumps Project. 

(For more information or to report a problem, call the AEC at 1-800-982-3464)