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River businesses warn permit would 'destroy an industry' built around canoeing
Summary
Owners and operators who run canoeing and kayak services on the Flint River told ADEM the proposed plant would end recreational businesses, citing field trips, tourism spending and long-term investments in the river economy.
Owners and operators tied to recreational services on the Flint River told regulators the proposed wastewater treatment plant would damage a local recreation economy years in the making.
Jenny Smith, who said she represents Brown Bear Canoe and Kayak Rental in Huntsville, told the hearing that her business runs school field trips and water monitoring activities: "If you drove by this afternoon between 10 and 1, you noticed about 65 5th graders at our yard, catching crawdads," she said, describing partnerships with Auburn's water-watch program.
A separate operator who identified himself as Scott said he started a kayak shop 18 years ago and estimated he has "put 150,000 people on the river." He warned that the plant "will shut down an industry" and cited ripple effects to local gas stations, grocery stores and tourism.
Speakers linked the recreational economy to affordability, saying families from New Hope, New Market and other nearby towns rely on the Flint River for low-cost outdoor activities.
