Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 9/1/2026
Item Status: New
From: Frank Lundy, County Engineer
Submitted by: Ashley Campbell, Natural Resource Planner
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Agreement with Dauphin Island Sea Lab / Mobile Bay National Estuary Program for Construction of Baldwin County Magnolia River Watershed Constructed Wetland and Habitat Restoration Project
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Construction Agreement by and between the Dauphin Island Sea Lab / Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and the Baldwin County Commission for the construction of the Baldwin County Magnolia River Watershed Constructed Wetland and Habitat Restoration Project.
This Agreement begins on September 1, 2026, and remains in force to September 1, 2029.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: In 2022, the Baldwin County Commission received four million dollars ($4,000,000.00) of Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funding from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource (ADCNR) to purchase several historic borrow (dirt) pits and to design a flood mitigation and habitat restoration project. The properties were purchased and engineered plans developed with a portion of the funds. The remaining funds have been reappropriated for the project construction.
The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) graciously offered to administer the project and provide approximately $3.2 million dollars of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds to assist with construction.
The project will convert the existing borrow (dirt) pits and surrounding land into constructed wetlands and regional detention ponds to improve water quality, restore habitat and reduce flooding in the Magnolia River and Weeks Bay Watersheds.
This agreement will establish responsibilities and roles for project implementation.
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? Grant appropriations will fund the project. The MBNEP will invoice the County for the appropriate grant funds at the appropriate stage of the construction project.
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
Yes
Reviewed/approved by: Brad Hicks approved the final document on 8/19/2026. Mark Acreman requested the review.
Additional comments: Katrina Taylor approved the final document on 8/24/2026.
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Commission Administration
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Mail two (2) executed originals to:
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
ATTN: Bethany Hudson, Business and Grants Manager
118 North Royal Street, Suite 601
Mobile, Alabama 36602
cc: Seth Peterson, Tucker Stuart, Stacy Appleton, Ashley Campbell, James Howard, Katrina Taylor, Alivia Wade, Shelby Middleton
Additional instructions/notes: Admin - Add to tickler for receipt of one original Agreement.