County buys DI land to preserve coast

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Alabama (WALA) - Mobile County will purchase 4.26 acres of sensitive waterfront property on the western end of Dauphin Island through a federal grant aimed at conservation, protection and restoration of coastal areas. The County Commission will turn the property deed over to the Town of Dauphin Island, which wants to safeguard its pristine beaches.

"Ownership will give Dauphin Island better opportunity to stabilize the shoreline and protect the nesting areas of our fish and wildlife," said Commissioner Mike Dean. "Lots of marine life find shelter in the marsh lands of barrier islands."

The $843,660 grant was awarded to Mobile County by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation & Enforcement, formerly known as Minerals Management Service. The agency is authorized to allocate $250 million annually for 2007 through 2010 to coastal states with oil and gas production in federal waters off their coastlines.

The Mobile County Commission's Environmental Director Bill Melton applied for the grant as part of the Coastal Impact Assistance Program Plan (CIAP). According to Melton, the shoreline is the nesting area for squid, silversides, shrimp, jellyfish, horseshoe crabs, mullet and more. There are over 260 species of birds found on the Gulf of Mexico barrier islands.

"Not only does it protect the fish and birds of the area, but we protect these natural resources for our children and our grandchildren," said Commissioner Connie Hudson.

Jeff Collier, Mayor of Dauphin Island, said the public would be the primary beneficiary.

"We appreciate the county for helping us to get the property," he said. "But the real beneficiary is the public because the public here – and really people around the country – will have better access to our island."

The Mobile County Commission has another CIAP project just getting underway on Dauphin Island. It is improving the campground at the east end of the island near the ferry and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

"The intent is to protect the wetlands and marshes in the area by improving drainage in the area and by assuring the viability of controlled public access at the campground," said Commission president Merceria Ludgood.

The $273,000 grant will correct flooding problems at 40 of the campsites. It will improve wastewater connections for at least 18 of the campsites. It also will fund the upgrade of 15 electrical hookups. Engineering plans are just getting underway on the campsite, after which the upgrades will begin.