For over a decade, the waters of Perdido Bay that grace the shores of Lillian, Alabama, have faced the unfortunate designation of being an impaired waterway. Since 2012, the residents and ecosystem of this treasured area have hardened the ramifications of pollution and mismanagement that have sullied what should be a pristine environment. In 2024, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) completed a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) analysis with expectations of subsequent action. Sadly, the necessary steps to restore Perdido Bay's integrity have yet to materialize, leaving our community and natural habitats in continued peril. To add insult to injury, ADEM had granted a potential source of our pollution the right to increase their sewage treatment capacity from .5 mgd to .95 mgd without requiring any studies as to the effectiveness of the plant's 50 year old collection system.  A system that has been identified as a potential source of the waterway's impairment through leaking collection systems and sewage overflows.

This petition arises from a genuine desire for change. As citizens who cherish this bay, we experience firsthand the detrimental impact on our local environment, health, and way of life.  The economic implications are significant, affecting local businesses and residents who rely on a healthy bay for their livelihoods and leisure. We can not wait an addition decade to find and remedy the source of the pathogens that are severely impacting our quality of life.

We implore the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 to step in and take regulatory and enforcement actions necessary to ensure the restoration and protection of Perdido Bay. The purpose of this petition is clear, to seek federal oversight to safeguard our waters from pathogens and possible inadequate wastewater infrastructure that continuously threatens our bay's ecosystem and public health.

Our proposed solutions include:
- Immediate intervention by the EPA to implement effective clean-up strategies in line with the Clean Water Act Section 303(d).
- Monitoring and oversight of wastewater facilities serving the Lillian/Spanish Cove area of ​​Baldwin County, Alabama, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
- Regular reporting and transparency regarding water quality improvements and efforts undertaken.

Perdido Bay deserves to be a safe haven for wildlife and a beautiful haven for its residents. We need the intervention of the EPA to prioritize this restoration, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for our community.

By signing this petition, you are pledging your support to demand the immediate action needed for Perdido Bay's recovery. Let our voices be heard; let's make a difference for the generations to come. We urge you to join us in this critical fight for clean and safe waterways.