November 13th, 2010 9:37 AM

Excavation to begin on Dauphin Island berm

Published: Thursday, November 11, 2010, 6:00 AM

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Alabama -- A 4-mile-long stretch of shore-side berm on Dauphin Island’s public beach will be knocked down and cleaned as part of an effort to "improve the aesthetic value of the beach" following the Gulf oil spill, said city spokesman A.J. Jongewaard.

The island’s City Council moved to build the barrier — as well as a second barrier along the island’s west end — shortly after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20. It took more than two months to build. 

"We are working with BP to shrink the size of the barriers to improve the aesthetic value of the beach," Jongewaard said. 

The berm reaches from the Holiday Isle Condominium to the western end of Bienville Boulevard, according to a news release from the city, and stands nearly 10 feet tall.

After the berm is scaled back, it will stand no more than 6 feet tall, according to the release. 

Crowder Gulf, a Dauphin Island-based company, will conduct the excavation alongside BP, according to the release. The project began this week and will take about 60 days to complete, Jongewaard said, and is being paid for by BP. 

Jongewaard said he did not know the cost of the project. 

The company will use "track hoes, sand screeners, and off-road dump trucks" to sift through the sand, remove debris and level the berm with clean sand, Jongewaard said. 

"We’re excited to launch this project and get our beaches in great shape for our residents and visitors for the spring tourism season," Mayor Jeff Collier said in the release. 

A second berm along the same stretch of land, but street-side, will remain at its current 10-foot height, according to the release, and will not be included in the project.

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