Post by Forum Administrator on Feb 7, 2012 14:52:09 GMT -6
As you may be aware, the US Department of Fish & Wildlife Service is in the process of determining how to allocate $1 billion of environmental restoration funds made available by BP. At this time, approximately $90 million of Alabama's share of the restoration funds have not yet been allocated to any project.
This is an opportunity for the citizens and property owners of Dauphin Island to recommend to the US Fish & Wildlife Service that funding be included in the DERP/EA for a shoreline restoration project for Dauphin Island. Of the $1 billion total, $100 million has been allocated exclusively for use by the State of Alabama. Mr. N. Gunter Guy, who is the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is Alabama's Trustee responsible for making decisions on how Alabama's share of the restoration funds will be expended.
Hopefully, if enough support can be generated, it will be possible to convince Alabama's NRDA Trustee to direct some of those funds to a shoreline restoration project on Dauphin Island. Dauphin Island should be well placed to compete for those funds since the Town of Dauphin Island completed a study in 2011 that developed the engineering and design data for a shoreline restoration project and located suitable sand sources. In addition, fact, the Town of Dauphin Island has already begun the permit application process to prepare the project for immediate construction. All that is needed is the funds for construction. The ongoing DERP/EA provides a unique opportunity that we should not allow to be missed.
The purpose of this notice is to request that you contact the US Fish & Wildlife Service with the request that the NRDA Trustees include a shoreline restoration project for Dauphin Island. Such a project would provide great long-term benefits to Alabama's and Mississippi's estuarine resources bordering the Mississippi Sound. Below are listed some of the benefits that would be derived by a project to "Restore and Stabilize Dauphin Island's Shoreline
Submission of comments can be easily accomplished by accessing the following web link parkplanning.nps.gov/commentFormBasic.cfm?documentID=44605.
It is important that comments be submitted no later than February 14, 2012.
Over the years, it has become clear that all of our elected leaders are unwilling to make available either Federal or State funds to restore Dauphin Island's shoreline. The BP NRDA Restoration Funds appear to provide Dauphin Island with its only chance for a shoreline restoration project. Numerous letters in support of such a project are critical to the success of Dauphin Island getting a share of the NRDA Restoration Funds. It is critical that you make your views known. Our beaches are depending on you and your neighbors to let the NRDA Trustees know that a shoreline restoration project for Dauphin Island is important to maintaining Alabama's estuarine environment in Mississippi Sound.
Thank you for your consideration.
This is an opportunity for the citizens and property owners of Dauphin Island to recommend to the US Fish & Wildlife Service that funding be included in the DERP/EA for a shoreline restoration project for Dauphin Island. Of the $1 billion total, $100 million has been allocated exclusively for use by the State of Alabama. Mr. N. Gunter Guy, who is the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is Alabama's Trustee responsible for making decisions on how Alabama's share of the restoration funds will be expended.
Hopefully, if enough support can be generated, it will be possible to convince Alabama's NRDA Trustee to direct some of those funds to a shoreline restoration project on Dauphin Island. Dauphin Island should be well placed to compete for those funds since the Town of Dauphin Island completed a study in 2011 that developed the engineering and design data for a shoreline restoration project and located suitable sand sources. In addition, fact, the Town of Dauphin Island has already begun the permit application process to prepare the project for immediate construction. All that is needed is the funds for construction. The ongoing DERP/EA provides a unique opportunity that we should not allow to be missed.
The purpose of this notice is to request that you contact the US Fish & Wildlife Service with the request that the NRDA Trustees include a shoreline restoration project for Dauphin Island. Such a project would provide great long-term benefits to Alabama's and Mississippi's estuarine resources bordering the Mississippi Sound. Below are listed some of the benefits that would be derived by a project to "Restore and Stabilize Dauphin Island's Shoreline
- Strengthen Alabama's only barrier island
- Protect Alabama's largest continuous salt marsh habitat in the Mississippi Sound
- Protect the oyster reefs that have gone into being brought back to life
- Protect the inshore estuarine habitats of the Mississippi that serve as important nursery areas for many commercial and recreational species that depend on this area
- Protect the Island from the forces of tropical storms and hurricanes that have damaged and eroded the beaches and dunes that have previously protected the Island.
- Dauphin Island acts as the protector of the mainland/Mobile County coastline.
- Help to re-establish critical nursery areas/dunes for sea turtles and other important animals such as the piping clover and other shoreline birds.
- Provide a protection for existing structures on Dauphin Island
- Contribute to the integrity of integrity of our neighbor state's barrier island's through improvement of sand movement westward through the littoral system and their marsh and oyster habitats.
Submission of comments can be easily accomplished by accessing the following web link parkplanning.nps.gov/commentFormBasic.cfm?documentID=44605.
It is important that comments be submitted no later than February 14, 2012.
Over the years, it has become clear that all of our elected leaders are unwilling to make available either Federal or State funds to restore Dauphin Island's shoreline. The BP NRDA Restoration Funds appear to provide Dauphin Island with its only chance for a shoreline restoration project. Numerous letters in support of such a project are critical to the success of Dauphin Island getting a share of the NRDA Restoration Funds. It is critical that you make your views known. Our beaches are depending on you and your neighbors to let the NRDA Trustees know that a shoreline restoration project for Dauphin Island is important to maintaining Alabama's estuarine environment in Mississippi Sound.
Thank you for your consideration.