07/17/2026
Sharing for visibility:
Active public notices filed with the [Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)](https://adem.alabama.gov/permit-information).
Maverick Construction, LLC has applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to build a point-source sanitary sewer treatment and discharge facility on [Ryan Creek], a critical tributary feeding into Lewis Smith Lake.
Local environmental groups like the Black Warrior Riverkeeper have begun raising alarms because, if fully finalized, this would represent the first point-source sewage discharge permitted directly into the Smith Lake watershed in 65 years.
The exact specifications of the project and the strategic steps your community can take to stop or contest it before construction begins are detailed below.
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The Scope of the Maverick LLC Permit
The Volume: The proposed facility is permitted to discharge up to 60,000 gallons of treated wastewater per day into Ryan Creek. This totals roughly 21.9 million gallons of effluent per year entering the watershed.
The Location: Ryan Creek originates near the City of Cullman and flows 16 miles southwest directly into Lewis Smith Lake. It is already historically monitored under the Clean Water Act's §303(d) list for pathogen and f***l coliform impairments, meaning further chemical or biological load is a high-stakes issue for the lake's water quality.
The Project Link: The infrastructure is tied to [Vista Lago](https://vistalagosmithlake.com/investors/), a major new residential lakeside community development under construction in Cullman County.
# # Action Plan: How the Community Can Intervene
Because construction has not started and the regulatory process involves public scrutiny, there is a narrow window to force public hearings, demand stricter environmental impact studies, or contest the permit.
# # 1. Flood ADEM with Formal Requests for a Public Hearing
ADEM is legally required to evaluate public opposition before a permit is fully operational. If enough lake property owners, residents, and visitors formally object and request an open forum, ADEM can be forced to hold an official public hearing in the local area.
You can submit a written objection or request a public hearing by contacting the ADEM officials managing this specific water branch:
* Scott Ramsey, P.E. (Industrial/Municipal Branch Chief, Water Division)
* Email: [email protected]
* Phone: (334) 270-5602 [1]
* Ed Poolos (ADEM Director)
* Email: [email protected]
Partner with Established Riverkeepers
Do not try to build an advocacy strategy from scratch. The [Black Warrior Riverkeeper](https://blackwarriorriver.org/) organization is actively monitoring this case.
* What to do: Contact their legal and science teams at [email protected]. They can provide boilerplate templates for letters, offer scientific counter-arguments against the discharge, and help amplify your community's voice to a state-wide level.
Rally the "Horsepower" (Lakeside Coalitions)
To maximize community concern quickly, tap into the existing networks where Smith Lake residents gather:
* Homeowners Associations (HOAs): Contact the board members of major developments around the Ryan Creek, Crane Hill, and Cullman sides of the lake. A combined statement from multiple HOAs carries significant political weight. [9]
* Civic Coalitions: Share the ADEM permit details directly with the [Smith Lake Environmental Preservation Committee (SLEPC)](https://slepc.org/about-3/), which focuses entirely on safeguarding the lake's water quality.
* The Marinas: Request to post physical informational flyers or host community meetings at central lake hubs like marinas.
Mission / Vision The Smith Lake Environmental Preservation Committee (SLEPC) was formed in 1995 as an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the goal of preserving and… Read …
