Attorney General Luther Strange said he is pleased by a federal court ruling today that struck down what he called “an intrusive and overreaching” rule of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding air emissions across states. 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia invalidated the EPA’s Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), ruling in the case of EME Homer City Generation L.P. v.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today designated three National Water Trails in Alabama, Georgia and Missouri, committing to work with state and local partners to increase water-based outdoor recreation, encourage community stewardship, and promote tourism that fuels local economies.

“Restoring our nation’s rivers and expanding outdoor recreational activities on them is one of the major goals of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative,” Salazar said.

As we approach the 4th of July holiday, State Forester Linda Casey is urging everyone to use caution when burning outdoors. “We want everyone to enjoy their celebration, but we also urge the use of extreme caution with all debris burning and outdoor fires, including campfires and fireworks,” said Casey. “It is very dry in parts of the state, and the tornadoes of 2011 left thousands of acres of downed and damaged trees in their wake, creating a wildfire hazard in much of North Alabama. Conditions are such that any fire can quickly spread out of control, threatening lives and property.”

For those who plan to celebrate with cookouts and fireworks, the Alabama Forestry Commission, State Fire Marshal, and U.S. Forest Service encourage extra safety precautions due to the dry conditions over much of the state.

Avoid shooting fireworks in or near dry grass, leaves, or other combustible materials.