The document is a speech proposing that the Cahaba River be added as a regular cleanup site for Alabama Power's Renew Our Rivers program. It discusses the Cahaba River's significance as a water source for eight counties and its extraordinary biodiversity, including many endangered fish and mussel species. Adding the Cahaba River to Renew Our Rivers could help improve water quality, protect the shoreline, and enhance habitat for endangered species through cleanup efforts and public involvement. In conclusion, the speaker asks Alabama Power to consider the Cahaba River for the Renew Our Rivers program in order to jointly work towards keeping Alabama's rivers beautiful.

1.
Let's Power Up to Beautify the Cahaba River
Speech Setting: Renew our Rivers Bi-Annual Meeting at the Alabama Power
Company's corporate headquarters, 600 North 18th
St. Birmingham, AL 35203 on
November 2, 2013 at 9 a.m.
Purpose: To request that Alabama Power considers the Cahaba River as a regular
cleanup site in its Renew Our Rivers program.
Good morning/afternoon/evening, Alabama Power. My name is Kaylyn Alexander
and I’m speaking on behalf of the Cahaba River Society. Alabama Power’s Renew Our
River program has truly made Alabama beautiful with its community efforts to revitalize
and protect our rivers. It is a privilege for me to be here today to speak with an
organization that values Alabama’s wildlife, natural resources and our community as
much as the Cahaba River Society does. Today I would like to propose that Alabama
Power consider the Cahaba River as one of its regular cleanup sites in its Renew Our
Rivers program.

2.
The Cahaba River has several significant roles in Alabama. The watershed flows
through eight counties and is one of the many rivers that provides drinking water and
recreation to Alabama residents. However the river is a necessity for more than just our
community. The river is home to hundreds of freshwater fish, mussel and snail species,
some of which are unique to the Cahaba. In the Cahaba’s diverse snail community, 13
snail species exist that are found nowhere else in the world. Smithsonian Magazine
named it as “one of the most biologically diverse places in the nation” (Nijhuis).
However the fate of these species lies in the hands of us as human beings. We have
the ability to harm or help the Cahaba’s wildlife with every piece of litter we add to or
remove from the river. This is why the Cahaba demonstrates a need for community
assistance in cleaning up and safeguarding the river.
The river exhibits extraordinary biodiversity, but endangered species still exist.
The Cahaba is home to more fish species per mile than any other river its size in North
America. Currently 10 freshwater fish species are listed on the U.S. Endangered
Species Act. Mussels also comprise a portion of the Cahaba's abundant biodiversity. 44

3.
mussel species have been recorded in the Cahaba River. 27 exist in the river today and
11 are endangered (BSC). The main causes for these species' endangerment are water
quality degradation and habitat destruction. The endangerment of these species can be
prevented with assistance from Renew Our Rivers.
Alabama Power can keep the Cahaba River a major player as Alabama’s
number 5 ranking in biodiversity by adding the watershed as a Renew Our Rivers site.
The Cahaba and its wildlife’s well-being is threatened daily by debris, harmful runoff and
shoreline development. Renew Our Rivers tackles all of these problems with its
environmental efforts to protect water quality, wildlife and the shoreline. The program
has the potential to improve the river’s water quality and protect the shoreline so that
106 miles of the watershed can once again meet water quality standards for habitat
alteration. From there endangered species’ living conditions can be enhanced through
habitat restoration. In turn existing Cahaba River volunteers can participate in Renew
Our Rivers projects and become involved with other scheduled Renew Our Rivers
cleanups.

4.
Many Alabamians rely on the Cahaba as their water source, but most haven't
hiked along its banks or canoed its free-flowing stream. When someone hikes, swims,
canoes or generally interacts with the Cahaba, it becomes easier for them to consider
what goes into the resource they're consuming. It would be a stepping-stone to
improving our rivers in Alabama if citizens have the opportunity to visit the Cahaba with
the Cahaba River Society and Alabama Power! Here's the advice I'd offer to anyone
who hasn't visited the Cahaba: Experience the birds chirp harmonious melodies while
delicate Cahaba Lilies sway in the misty wind. Catch turtles curiously raise their heads
to glimpse above the water’s surface. Just a few moments at the Cahaba makes it easy
to see why the Cahaba River Society is so dedicated to protecting the watershed and its
wildlife. /
Today we are asking for Alabama Power to share this sentiment with us.
Together we can work towards keeping Alabama’s rivers beautiful. Please consider the
Cahaba River as one of Alabama Power’s Renew Our Rivers sites. Thank you.

5.
Annotated Bibliography
"Cahaba Animals." Birmingham Southern College. Birmingham Southern College, n.p.
Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
This website page lists and describes some of the animals found in the Cahaba
River. Mussels, fish and invertebrates are the three main aquatic groups and
each group has several species that are endangered. The site also lists the
animals' description, taxonomy, population status, habitat, reproduction, diet,
growth and lifespan.
“Cahaba River Society.” CahabaRiverSociety.org. Cahaba River Society, n.d. Web. 28
Oct. 2013.
This is the homepage of the website where other links, such as "about," "support
CRS," "News," "Events," "Resources," "Contact us" and more are easily
accessible.
Nijhuis, Michelle. “The Cahaba: A River of Riches.” Smithsonian, Aug. 2009. Web. 26
Oct. 2013.

6.
This Smithsonian article discusses the rich biodiversity found throughout the Cahaba
River from flora to fauna. Nijhuis discusses the uniqueness of certain wildlife and
emphasizes some species’ endangerment.