‘We have to act fast’: Petition filed to protect rare fish from proposed data center – WBMA

Report on the Proposed Bessemer Data Center and its Conflict with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A petition has been filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to grant Endangered Species Act protection to the Birmingham darter (Etheostoma olmstedi), a rare fish species endemic to Valley Creek and its tributaries in Bessemer, Alabama. The petition, initiated by the Center for Biological Diversity, argues that a proposed hyperscale data center development poses an existential threat to the species. This situation presents a direct conflict between industrial development and environmental preservation, challenging the principles of several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to biodiversity, clean water, and sustainable communities.

Environmental Impact and Biodiversity Concerns

The proposed data center development, consisting of 18 large buildings, threatens the fragile ecosystem that supports the last six known populations of the Birmingham darter. The species, noted for its unique genetic makeup, is at high risk of extinction if the project proceeds. Key environmental threats include:

• Water Depletion: The data center is projected to consume at least two million gallons of water daily, which could dewater the spring-fed streams that constitute the darter’s only habitat.
• Habitat Degradation: Construction and operation of the facility risk polluting the local watershed, further endangering the Birmingham darter and the federally endangered watercress darter, which inhabits the nearby Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge.
• Biodiversity Loss: The potential extinction of the Birmingham darter, confirmed by Yale professor Dr. Thomas Near as a genetically distinct species, would represent an irreversible loss of biodiversity.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The controversy surrounding the Bessemer data center highlights significant tensions with the global agenda for sustainable development. The project’s potential impacts directly contravene the objectives of multiple SDGs.

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water & SDG 15: Life on Land

   These goals call for the conservation of aquatic life and the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. The potential extinction of the Birmingham darter due to habitat destruction is a direct violation of Target 15.5, which aims to take urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity and prevent the extinction of threatened species. Protecting this unique freshwater species is critical to maintaining local ecosystem integrity.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   This goal emphasizes the sustainable management of water resources. The data center’s substantial water consumption threatens the ecological balance of Valley Creek, undermining Target 6.4, which seeks to ensure sustainable freshwater withdrawals. The lack of public environmental studies raises concerns about the project’s impact on water quality for both the ecosystem and the community.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   SDG 11 aims to make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Strong opposition from local residents and community groups, such as The People’s Justice Council and the Rock Mountain Lakes Landowners Association, indicates that the project fails to align with community values and threatens local natural heritage, contradicting Target 11.4. The decision-making process, which has proceeded without the release of health and environmental impact assessments, challenges the principles of inclusive and participatory urban planning.

Stakeholder Positions and Next Steps

Multiple stakeholders have articulated their positions regarding the proposed development, with a public hearing scheduled for November 19 at Bessemer City Hall to precede a potential City Council vote on the required zoning change.

• Conservation and Environmental Groups: The Center for Biological Diversity, Alabama Rivers Alliance, and Black Warrior Riverkeeper are advocating for federal protection for the darter and urging the city to prioritize long-term ecological health over short-term economic interests.
• Local Community: Residents and landowners express deep concern over the potential destruction of their community’s natural environment, water resources, and quality of life.
• Bessemer City Council: Officials have stated an intention to protect the species while also considering the rezoning for the data center, though specific protective measures have not been detailed.
• Developer: The proposed developer, Logistic Land Investments, LLC., has not responded to requests for comment on the environmental concerns.

The outcome of the petition and the City Council’s zoning decision will serve as a critical indicator of the region’s commitment to balancing economic development with the fundamental principles of environmental stewardship and the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary concerns revolve around environmental protection, biodiversity, water management, and community well-being in the face of new industrial development.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is central to the article, as it focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The core conflict is the threat to the Birmingham darter, a rare fish species, and its habitat, which falls directly under the purview of protecting biodiversity and preventing the extinction of threatened species.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This goal is relevant due to the proposed data center’s significant impact on local water resources. The article explicitly mentions the threat of “dewatering” streams due to massive water consumption and the potential for pollution, which relates to the sustainable management of water and the protection of water-related ecosystems.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article discusses the conflict between a proposed industrial development and the well-being of the Bessemer community. Concerns about protecting the local “peaceful way of life,” natural heritage, and preventing adverse environmental impacts on the community align with the goal of making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is addressed through the civic engagement and governance processes described in the article. The actions of community groups like the Center for Biological Diversity filing a petition, the planned public hearing, and the call for the Bessemer City Council to be responsive to public opposition all relate to ensuring inclusive and representative decision-making.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific issues raised in the article, several SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The entire article is a call to action to prevent the extinction of the Birmingham darter, a threatened species with “just six populations remaining.” The petition for Endangered Species Act protection is a direct action toward this target.
   • Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…” The article focuses on protecting Valley Creek and its tributaries, which are the inland freshwater ecosystems that the darter depends on.
   • Target 15.9: “By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes…” The conflict hinges on whether the Bessemer City Council will integrate the value of the Birmingham darter’s ecosystem into its zoning and development decisions for the proposed data center.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.” The effort to stop the data center is aimed at protecting the “spring-fed streams” that form the darter’s habitat from being dewatered and polluted.
   • Target 6.4: “By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater…” The article highlights the data center’s unsustainable water demand, which would “use at least two million gallons of water a day,” threatening the local water supply and ecosystem.
   • Target 6.3: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution…” The Center for Biological Diversity expresses concern that the data center threatens to “pollute the surrounding rural community,” which directly relates to this target.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The article refers to the darter and its habitat as an “irreplicable natural legacy.” The community’s concern for its “peaceful way of life” and outdoor recreational spaces (hiking, fishing, swimming) also falls under protecting local natural and cultural heritage.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.” The article details the participatory actions of citizens and organizations (filing petitions, voicing opposition) and highlights the hope that the “city council will listen.” The lack of “health and environmental studies” being released before the public hearing also questions the transparency and responsiveness of the decision-making process.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article contains several specific data points and qualitative statements that can serve as indicators to measure the status of the issues and progress toward the identified targets.

1. Indicators for SDG 15 (Life on Land)

   • Number of remaining populations of a threatened species: The article states there are “just six populations remaining” of the Birmingham darter. A decrease in this number would indicate a failure to meet Target 15.5.
   • Conservation status: The filing of a petition to list the fish under the “Endangered Species Act” is an indicator of its high risk of extinction. Success would be measured by the species gaining protection.

2. Indicators for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

   • Volume of water withdrawal: The proposed water use of “at least two million gallons of water a day” is a direct quantitative indicator of the pressure on freshwater resources (Target 6.4).
   • Ecosystem health: The threat to “dewater these habitats” is a qualitative indicator of the potential degradation of water-related ecosystems (Target 6.6).

3. Indicators for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

   • Protection of natural heritage sites: The article identifies the darter’s habitat and the nearby “Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge” as natural heritage sites at risk. Their continued preservation would be a key indicator for Target 11.4.

4. Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Public participation in decision-making: The article mentions a “petition” and a “public hearing” as mechanisms for public participation. The outcome of the city council vote following this participation will indicate how responsive the institution is (Target 16.7).
   • Transparency in decision-making: The fact that “no health and environmental studies related to the development have been released” is an indicator of a lack of transparency in the governance process.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: abc3340.com