Threats to the Creek

The EPA conducted river basin assessments in 1996-97 of the Black Warrior watershed and found several of its tributaries, including Hurricane Creek, to be heavily polluted and in need of protection under the 303(d) section of the Clean Water Act.

The EPA’s 303(d) reports of the Hurricane Creek watershed, state that the stream is impaired due to siltation, turbidity, pathogens, pH and heavy metals associated with coal mining both past and present.

In our analysis of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for the entire Hurricane Creek watershed, we have found that developers are issued more permits than any other type of polluter, followed closely by mining companies.