Countdown Begins For Alabama Census

By Jeff Helms

The Alabama Farmers Federation is joining Gov. Kay Ivey and dozens of businesses and organizations in encouraging residents to stand up and be counted for the 2020 Census.

“The stakes are extremely high for this year’s census,” said Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan, who chairs the rural subcommittee for the Census campaign. “If Alabama doesn’t improve on its count from previous years, the state risks losing at least one seat in Congress as well as funding for everything from infrastructure and healthcare to nutrition and the Cooperative Extension System.”

This month, the Census Bureau will begin mailing invitations to Alabama households asking them to respond online, by phone or by mail.

In April, Census takers will begin visiting colleges, senior centers and other locations to collect data where large groups of people live.

In May, Census takers will begin visiting individual homes. The online Census form will close in August.

“We encourage everyone to respond during the initial period in the spring,”

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said Kenneth Boswell,

chair of Alabama Counts! and director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. “The Census form is simple to complete, and the data provided is private and protected by law.”

In 2016, Alabama received $13 billion in federal funding from 55 programs based on the 2010 Census.

Despite the importance of Census data, Boswell said research indicates mistrust and complacency remain barriers to achieving a complete count. Alabama Counts! surveyed people in all 67 counties to identify areas where additional education is needed. Respondents were grouped into four categories based on their likelihood to participate: extremely likely, very likely, somewhat likely and unlikely.

“Historically, around 60 percent of Alabamians have responded to the U.S. Census, and that number lines up with people who said ‘extremely likely’ and ‘very likely’ in our research,” said Boswell. “People who were ‘somewhat likely’ are the ones on the fence who we need to motivate to be counted. We have to share with them that it’s safe, quick, easy and matters a great deal to

their community.”

Alabama Counts! is emphasizing the Census form includes just 10 questions and takes about six minutes to complete.

Pinyan said the Federation can play a major role in ensuring a complete count in rural Alabama.

“Our grassroots organization gives the Federation an excellent opportunity to communicate the importance, ease and confidentiality of the Census,” he said. “Federation leaders are among the most respected in their communities. We encourage members to utilize their relationships at church, school, work and in civic organizations to talk about the value of the Census.”

In addition to determining federal funding and Congressional apportionment, Census data give community leaders vital information to make decisions about planning for the future. Responding also fulfills a civic duty. The Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and has been taken every 10 years since 1790.

Census surveys are safe, secure and protected by federal law. Answers can only be used to produce statistics. They cannot be used against respondents by any government agency or court. The Census will never ask for Social Security numbers, bank or credit card numbers, money or donations, or anything related to political parties.

For more information, visit Alabama2020Census.com.

The former rule sought to expand government jurisdiction to include ditches and seasonal streams of water in the Clean Water Act.

By Jeff Helms

Alabama farmers joined agricultural groups, landowners and businesses across the country in applauding new clean water regulations announced Jan. 23 that replaced the overreaching Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

Alabama Farmers Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker said the announcement ends a five-year

saga during which the WOTUS rule was challenged in court for expanding the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act to include ditches and seasonal streams. “We appreciate President Trump following through on his pledge to repeal the disastrous WOTUS rule promulgated by the previous administration,” Walker said. “The new rule allows for the protection of water in a manner that is clear and non-ambiguous. Farmers and

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landowners have asked for years for a rule they could interpret without hiring lawyers and consultants. We appreciate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for proposing a rule that adheres to clear boundaries and consistency.”

The new rule specifically excludes most roadside and farm ditches, groundwater, farm and stock watering ponds and water bodies that form only when it rains.

Federally regulated waters are limited to four categories: territorial seas and navigable waters including oceans and major rivers; perennial and intermittent tributaries; some lakes and ponds, and wetlands adjacent to federal waters.

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the new rule provides clarity while protecting water resources.

“After decades of landowners relying on expensive attorneys to determine what water on their land may or may not fall under federal regulations, our new Navigable Waters Protection Rule strikes the proper balance between Washington and the states in managing land and water resources while protecting our nation’s navigable waters,” he said.

EPA said the new rule could eliminate between $12 million and $27 million a year in permitting costs.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall praised the new rule.

“Farmers and ranchers care about clean water and preserving the land, which are essential to producing healthy food and fiber and ensuring future generations can do the same,” Duvall said. “That’s why we support the new clean water rule. It provides clarity and certainty, allowing farmers to understand water regulations without having to hire teams of consultants and lawyers.

“We appreciate the commitment of the agencies involved and this administration to crafting a new regulation that achieves important regulatory oversight while allowing farmers to farm. Clean water, clear rules.”

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