Robin's Blog for Dauphin Island

Bill to protect coastal areas fails narrowly in U.S. House vote

Thursday, March 12, 2009
Staff, wire report

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday defeated a bill that would have allowed spending up to $60 million annually to protect coastal and estuarine areas through 2013.

A majority of House members supported the bill, but the measure was defeated because it did not receive the needed two-thirds vote. The vote was 282-144 in favor — two votes short of approval. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, was among those voting against the bill, which had already passed the Senate.

The measure had the support of Alabama conservationists eager to see more funding for land preservation in fast-developing coastal areas. But Republicans objected that the legislation — which would also expand federal wilderness areas — was too expensive and had not received enough scrutiny.

Democratic leaders vowed to bring the bill back, but did not say when or in what form.

Message From Bill Harper

March 17, 2009

Dear friends,

Our March 9th board meeting was sparsely attended. It may very well be that sparse attendance is a direct result one person rudely interrupting the business of the Board with pointless remarks and nonsensical questions. The person who does this obviously believes freedom speech means the right to speak whenever the ego demands it. Over the years here on the island, and after attending many meetings and being involved in most organizations here, I am convinced we have the highest per capita ratio of experts than anywhere in our nation. Contrary to what these persons believe, their selfish behavior does not comport with democratic process. The Board denies no one a right to speak, but parliamentary rules provide a time and place for that to happen. Henceforth, I will insist that the rules be observed, and if they are not, I will adjourn the meeting.

On the financial side, we continue to show modest growth in our several revenue streams. We are entering the spring-break season, the longest in years, and it should help us as well as the rest of the island. Golf play continues to increase which can only be a good sign in these troubled economic times. Starting in May and the start of our fiscal year we will concentrate on increasing the number of members paying dues. With all the legal issues coming to an end, our hope is that we can come together as a stronger organization doing things that make our community a better place.

Jeff Collier, our Director of Operations, announced that snowbird golfers, who play almost everyday, is at about the same level as in years past. The parking lot, recently resurfaced, has been striped and is looking quite good. He also told us the recent golf tournament, benefiting Dauphin Island’s boy-scout troop, raised money for these young men. We are preparing the beach and grounds for the beachgoers, starting to arrive. We have hired some young fellows to collect the $2 environmental fee. The fee offsets our costs in keeping this popular spot clean and enjoyable.

We have started cleaning out the old office, which over the last several years had become a warehouse for useless items and records. We sorted the files, boxing the ones that we need to retain, and will store these files off the island. You cannot believe the "stuff" we have accumulated over the years!

Our legal issues are dormant. I still can't comment about the ongoing Corps lawsuit/settlement.

The agenda item that occupied the most time this month was a proposal from a local businessman to operate a watercraft and beach chair/umbrella operation from our shoreline. His proposal included the rental of kayaks, sailboats, and Personal Water Craft (aka, jet ski's), as well beach chairs and umbrella's. In exchange, he would pay the DIPOA a monthly fee. Naturally, the jet ski's were the most controversial item. Concerns over noise and liability were paramount. Our attorney and insurance agent has advised that the vendor needed at least a $2 million line of insurance for personal injury with the DIPOA being included as a listed full name party. The vendor said he would do this, but a motion was made and seconded to exclude the jet skis from our beaches, which passed in a 4 to 2 vote, with two members absent, and one member abstaining. The vendor is mulling over whether to re-submit his proposal minus jet ski's.

We voted to join the American Beach and Shoreline Preservation Association, an association of beach communities concerned about the lack attention shown by State and Federal governments for our shorelines. The Town of Dauphin Island voted to join this group last week. For $500 a year we can participate in their advocacy efforts for beaches and shorelines.

Last week I attended a public hearing in Montgomery concerning coastal insurance, its cost and its decline in availability. There appears to be quite a north/south divide in the State of Alabama on this issue. It is hoped that several bills proposed by Mobile and Baldwin county legislators will pass. These bills will help to cut some costs of insurance on the coast. The Alabama director of revenue spoke reminding all that Mobile and Baldwin counties are growth engines for Alabama supplying anywhere from 20% to 40% of the sales, ad valorum, and lodging taxes to the State of Alabama. And that doesn't include the gas/oil royalties which add up to hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

And lastly, we have three positions on our Board of Directors open for election/re-election this year. To date, I have only received one nominee. We would like to see an election that includes several candidates. If we don’t have enough candidates the Board will be forced to appoint new members. Send us a 200 word biography by close of business on April 1, 2009 to dipoa@skyynett.net or DIPOA, PO Box 39, Dauphin Island, AL 36528

Have a great Spring.

Historic Fort Gaines In Danger

WKRG.com Related

By Brian Atkinson

Published: Wed, March 18, 2009 - 3:17 pm Last Updated: Wed, March 18, 2009 - 3:22 pm

(Dauphin Island, AL) – At a news conference this morning, the Dauphin Island Park & Beach Board revealed that the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) has included Fort Gaines among its top ten most endangered battlefields in its annual report on the status of the nation’s historic battlegrounds. The report, entitled History Under Siege: A Guide to America’s Most Endangered Civil War Battlefields, identifies the most threatened Civil War sites in the United States and what can be done to rescue them.

“During the Battle of Mobile Bay, Fort Gaines withstood a barrage of artillery from soldiers, cavalry, and naval vessels before surrendering,” said Mike Henderson, Director of the Dauphin Island Park & Beach Board. “Now, 144 years later, Historic Fort Gaines is under threat from an even mightier foe, the Gulf of Mexico. We hope that this designation from the Civil War Preservation Trust will help us preserve this jewel of history for the people of Alabama and the nation at large for years to come.”

According to the CWPT, Fort Gaines was included in the report because dredging practices in the Gulf of Mexico—the only human factor per a USGS report in 2007—have greatly increased the rate of erosion on Dauphin Island. More than 400 feet of historic coastline have already been lost, complicating the continued operation of the Fort Gaines Historic Site. The loss of established dune systems means that the Gulf could eventually bisect the island, stranding Fort Gaines and other culturally important areas.

“The inclusion of Historic Fort Gaines among the ten most endangered battlefields in the nation further illustrates the increasing erosion of Dauphin Island,” Mayor Jeff Collier said. “The Town is working on multiple avenues to stabilize its shoreline including the possibility of an engineered beach, which has proven successful for stabilizing neighboring beach areas in Alabama.”

“In town after town, irreplaceable battlefields that help to define those communities are being lost to development,” said CWPT president James Lighthizer at the report’s unveiling. “As we approach the Sesquicentennial of the bloodiest conflict in our nation’s history, we need to be more aware than ever of the importance of preserving these sacred places for generations to come.”

The Dauphin Island press conference coincided with an official announcement from the CWPT at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Joining Lighthizer at the news conference was Academy Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss, an avid student of history. Reflecting on the importance of historic preservation, Dreyfuss said, “These hallowed battlegrounds should be national shrines, monuments to American valor, determination and courage. Once these irreplaceable treasures are gone, they’re gone forever.”

The history of Historic Fort Gaines is intertwined with one of the most important battles of the Civil War. In 1864, the entrance to the last major Confederate shipping harbor, Mobile Bay, was guarded by two fortressed batteries including Fort Gaines, on the eastern point of Dauphin Island, Alabama. Controlling Mobile Bay was crucial to ending Confederate resistance. Union Admiral David Farragut looked out over treacherous water mines—known then as torpedoes—littering the middle passage to the bay. When the lead boat, the ironclad USS Tecumseh, sank after striking a mine, panic and disorder overtook much of the fleet. To embolden his shaken forces, Farragut shouted the most famous command in maritime history, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

This is the first time that Fort Gaines has been included in History Under Siege. The report has been published annually since 2001.

The Civil War Preservation Trust is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promoting appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. History Under Siege is composed of two parts; one identifying the 10 most endangered battlefields in the nation, and a second section lists 15 additional “at risk” sites also facing serious threats. Sites discussed in the report range from the famous to the nearly forgotten, but at least part of each site is in danger of being lost forever. Battlefields were chosen based on geographic location, military significance, and the immediacy of current threats.

In addition to Fort Gaines, other sites profiled in History Under Siege include:

Cedar Creek, Virginia, Oct. 19, 1864: Preservationists continue fighting to overturn a recent zoning decision that opens 394 acres of critically important battlefield land in the Shenandoah Valley to an expanding limestone quarry.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1–3, 1863: Significant portions the battlefield lay outside the boundaries of the National Park, leaving them open for development. Preservationists are eager to protect one such area, but the high asking price puts it out of their reach.

Monocacy, Maryland, July 9, 1864: A trash incinerator proposed along the Monocacy River would be just a few hundred yards outside Monocacy National Battlefield. The plant’s 350-foot smokestack would dominate the skyline and be visible from much of the battlefield.

New Market Heights, Virginia, September 29, 1864: Although one of the war’s most significant engagements featuring African-American troops, New Market Heights has not yet seen any land purchased by preservation organizations. Portions of the battlefield have already been destroyed by a housing development and more development is encroaching.

Port Gibson, Mississippi, May 1, 1863: En route to his eventual capture of Vicksburg, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant famously called Port Gibson a town to beautiful to burn. A controversial proposal to widen Church Street through the heart of town would threaten historic neighborhoods.

Sabine Pass, Texas, September 8, 1863: During the war a handful of Confederate gunners at Sabine Pass turned back an entire Union fleet, but damage sustained by Hurricane Rita has kept the site closed to the public since 2005.

South Mountain, Maryland, September 14, 1862: Hopelessly outnumbered Confederates fought valiantly in three mountain passes, as Gen. Robert E. Lee launched his invasion of the North. Dominion Power proposes a natural gas compression station near Fox’s Gap.

Spring Hill, Tennessee, Nov. 29, 1864: General Motors is seeking to sell approximately 500 acres of unused land surrounding the battlefield. While some will form a buffer around Rippavilla Plantation, plans call for high-density development — apartments, a hotel, a theater, restaurants and retail and office space — on approximately 400 acres.

Wilderness, Virginia, May 5–6, 1864: Preservationists are trying to block Walmart from building a 138,000-square-foot supercenter just a quarter mile from the edge of the national park. If built, it would be the fifth Wal-Mart within a 20-mile radius and ensure further commercial development nearby.

Hazard Mitigation Plan For Town, On Public Display (Town of Dauphin Island)

Lee Maxwell & Associates along with officials from The Town of Dauphin Island have developed a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Dauphin Island.

The draft version of the plan was submitted to the Town of Dauphin Island on February 16, 2009.

The document will be on public display at 1011 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, Alabama for review. Those interested can view the plan at town hall, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

It is also accessible online at www.townofdauphinisland.org for those that have Internet capabilities. We urge all town residents to view this very important document, as everyone will be affected by the decisions determined in this plan.

The purpose of this plan is to insure that the Town of Dauphin Island is, eligible to receive federal funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM). These funds are vital for the recovery of Dauphin Island following a natural disaster.

Any questions, comments, or suggestions should be directed to the Town of Dauphin Island, ATTN: HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN, 1011 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, Alabma. You may also contact Wanda Sandagger at wsandagger@townofdauphinisland.org .

This article was published in the Mobile Press-Register today regarding the new $410 Billion Spending Bill which just passed the House.

The Town of Dauphin Island has redesigned their website!  Please visit www.townofdauphinisland.org to view the new design.  It is still a work in progress and the Town will be adding additional pages and information in the future.

JOB WELL DONE!