Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 10/5/2021
Item Status: New
From: Matthew Brown, Planning and Zoning Director
Submitted by: Ashley Campbell, Natural Resource Planner
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Support for Baldwin County Water Monitoring Network Restore Project Submittal
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Action item with discussion necessary - Brett Garr, Chairman of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) and Leslie Gahagan, member of the EAC, will give the Commission an update on the EAC’s efforts to support Baldwin County’s Strategic Plan goal of protecting the natural environment and an update on the Dirt Road Study.
The EAC requests the County authorize staff to notify the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program that Baldwin County supports its Restore project submittal entitled “Baldwin County Water Monitoring Network.” Currently, the County’s support does not obligate the County to provide any funds. If the submittal is approved, additional information and request will be brought to the Commission.
If the Commission agrees with the request from the Environmental Advisory Committee, the following action is recommended:
Authorize staff to notify Mobile Bay National Estuary Program of Baldwin County Commission support of the Restore project submittal entitled “Baldwin County Water Monitoring Network.” This approval does not obligate the County to provide any funds at this time. End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
Background: The Baldwin County Environmental Advisory Committee has been tasked with the Strategic Plan goal of protecting the natural environment by increasing transparency and accountability for watershed quality through regular testing and reporting of water quality and the ongoing development of partnerships with citizens and groups interested in the environment by 2021.
With a purpose of providing the tools to promote the wise stewardship of the waters of Baldwin County, Alabama, the MBNEP will partner with local, state and federal agencies to establish water monitoring network of existing and new sampling sites to determine trends in water quality and quantity, including identification of sources and types of contaminants, and partner with other local efforts to inventory septic tanks across the county to guide decisions relating to ensuring adequate quality and quantity of water in this rapidly growing county.
Goals:
• Improve understanding of groundwater quality and quantity across Baldwin County
• Improve understanding of surface water quality and quantity across Baldwin County
• Reduce pathogen loading into the waters of Baldwin County.
The EAC request that the Commission supports the MBNEP’s project that will aid the County in reaching its Environmental Strategic goal of protecting the natural environment.
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: October 15, 2021
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: N/A
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Provide copy of the Commission’s approval to: ashley.campbell@baldwincountyal.gov
Additional instructions/notes: N/A