Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 1/28/2025
Item Status: New
From: Jay Dickson, Planning Director
Submitted by: Ashley Campbell, Natural Resource Planner
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Second Letter of Intent - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Continuing Authorities Program - Shoreline Erosion Study for Northern Shoreline of Fort Morgan in Baldwin County, Alabama
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize the execution of a second Letter of Intent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Continuing Authorities Program requesting a shoreline erosion study for the northern shoreline of Fort Morgan in Baldwin County, Alabama.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
TitleRecommendation
Background: An original Letter of Intent was approved during the March 19, 2024, County Commission meeting. To streamline the study request and to better position the studies for funding, the USACE decided to separate the Fort Morgan Shoreline into two separate reaches and studies. A second letter of intent has been requested to forward the second Study Initiation Report to the USACE Commander of the South Atlantic Division.
David Newell, USACE Coastal Resiliency Program Manager, and Mr. Clark Strong, study initiator, will be present at the work session to answer any questions.
The information below was included in the original request:
Fort Morgan is an unincorporated community just west of Gulf Shores, Alabama. This area has a long and rich history as home to Fort Morgan, which served as a defensive point for Mobile Bay starting in the early 19th century. Fort Morgan is also home to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which works to protect endangered and native species in Coastal Alabama. The refuge encompasses some of Alabama's last remaining undisturbed coastal barrier habitat, including beach dunes and rolling pine-oak woodlands.
Over the years, the Fort Morgan peninsula has been affected by various factors such as sea-level rise, severe storms, ship-wake induced erosion, real estate development and even oil spills. These activities have impacted hundreds of acres of salt marsh, resulting in a sediment budget deficit that hinders the transport of littoral sand needed for the area's renourishment.
The Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) is requesting the Commission request assistance from the USACE for a study and design under the USACE Continuing Authorities Program to address beach erosion, provide hurricane storm damage reduction and aquatic ecosystem restoration, along with the possible beneficial use of dredge material at Fort Morgan. The proposed project location is situated on the north side of the Fort Morgan peninsula, bounded by the Fort Morgan Historic Site on the west and Oyster Bay to the east.
The EAC’s request would require the BCC to serve as the sponsor for the project.
The first $100,000.00 in funding for the feasibility study is fully federally funded. During this time, the USACE will investigate the request and make a Federal Interest Determination (FID). If the determination is to pursue the effort, the full study cost will be determined and presented to the County Commission with a cost-shared 50% federal and 50% non-federal (County). At that time, the Commission will decide if it is in the best interest of the County to continue the effort or not. See attached letters of support from various organizations.
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? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
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: N/A
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Mail letter of intent to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Colonel Jeremy J. Chapman, P.E.
Commander, Mobile District
ATTN: CESAM-PD-FP
Post Office Box 2288
Mobile, Alabama 36628-0001
cc: Jay Dickson
Ashley Campbell
Planning@baldwincountyal.gov
Additional instructions/notes: N/A