Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 5/4/2021
Item Status: New
From: Matthew Brown, Planning and Zoning Director
Submitted by: Ashley Campbell, Natural Resource Planner
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ITEM TITLE
Title
*Mobile Bay National Estuary Program/Alabama Department of Environmental Management 319 Grant - Letter of Support for the D’Olive Creek Watershed Restoration Project
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve and authorize Chairman to execute the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP)/Alabama Department of Environmental Management 319 Grant - Letter of Support for the D’Olive Creek Watershed Restoration Project.End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
Background: The Planning and Zoning Department received a request from MBNEP for the Baldwin County Commission to execute a letter of support for their use of ADEM 319 Grant funding to continue implementation of the D’Olive Watershed Management Plan by restoring two additional stream segments.
MBNEP has been a steadfast champion of the restoration of the D’Olive Watershed, facilitating the development of the plan to restore the D’Olive Watershed to a more natural hydrologic condition and implementing the management measures called for in the Watershed Plan. MBNEP joined forces with the cities of Daphne and Spanish Fort, Baldwin County, Westminster Village, and the Alabama Department of Transportation to restore a severely impaired portion of the watershed which was depositing over 300 tons of sediment into D’Olive Bay annually and most recently secured over $14 million dollars through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Gulf Environmental Benefits Fund to continue restoration of severely eroded segments of Tiawasee Creek, D’Olive Creek and Joe’s Branch. With the leadership of the MBNEP, Joe’s Branch (an urban stream) has been removed from the ADEM 303d list impaired by siltation. The video link below illustrates MBNEP’s efforts in watershed planning and restoration using ADEM 319 Grant Program funding and the inspiring delisting of Joe’s Branch.
<https://www.mobilebaynep.com/videos/protecting-alabamas-waters>
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 original letter of support to:
Ms. Roberta Arena Swann, Director
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
118 N. Royal St., Suite 601
Mobile, AL 36602
CC: Ashley Campbell - via email: Ashley.campbell@baldwincountyal.gov
Additional instructions/notes: N/A