The Alabama Port Authority — Port of Mobile sent a letter to the Mobile Baykeeper urging the environmental group to rescind its threat of legal action over the harbor deepening and widening project.
For years, the Port Authority has been working on the project to bring major economic development to the state by allowing larger shipments into the port.
However, the Baykeeper recently sent a letter of intent to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over environmental concerns.
"With this letter, the Port is again inviting Baykeeper and its out-of-state activists to stop pursuing litigation that could delay the most important economic development project in the State of Alabama," said Maggie Oliver, the vice president of communications and federal affairs for the Port Authority. "The Port's message is clear: drop the threat of a lawsuit, and let's work together to achieve our shared goal of protecting Mobile Bay."
In the letter, president and CEO John Driscoll suggested all parties come to the table and work together for the best outcome.
"This action is a direct threat to the State's largest economic driver, the Port, risking the prosperity of Alabamians in each of our State's 67 counties," Driscoll wrote. "Until this point, the Port, in good faith and in partnership with USACE, has engaged Baykeeper in what we believed were productive, collaborative conversations about shared environmental priorities, including the beneficial use of dredge material."
Driscoll pointed out that agencies working on the project have been very concerned with deploying materials removed to other environmentally beneficial areas. That includes shoreline restoration at Dauphin Island, wetlands restoration at Deer River and the Dauphin Island Causeway and restoring the Relic Shell area of Mobile Bay.
"Unfortunately, Baykeeper, in partnership with an out-of-state activist organization, has defaulted to a combative approach and now threatens to halt a project that has been thoroughly vetted and will bring both environmental and economic benefits to MobileBay and our region," the letter continued. "Additionally, Mobile Baykeeper's unsubstantiated allegations regarding USACE's dredge material management come as the project is nearing completion - years after thorough federal and state environmental reviews have concluded."
1819 News found that the Mobile District of the Corps underwent a consultation for compliance with the Endangered Species Act, and that report can be found online. A 2018 report stated that the NMFS found no unacceptable impacts on monitored habitats.
"In addition to these environmental reviews, this project also incorporated community feedback from various stakeholders, ranging from environmental groups to recreational and commercial fishermen," Driscoll stated. This feedback directly informed the Port's decisions on how best to use this dredge material for the benefit of all who love Mobile Bay."
Driscoll said the Baykeeper's letter of intent to sue contradicts previous interactions.
"Although we appreciate Mobile Baykeeper's recent public profession of the organization's support for the harbor project and the economic prosperity it will bring, direct legal action – as described by Baykeeper - threatens to bring this to a halt," he said. "Quite simply, Mobile Baykeeper cannot claim to be for this project while also taking direct action to stop it."
"With the generational impact and importance of this project in mind, and along with our fellow signatories, the Alabama Port Authority implores you, leaders of Mobile Baykeeper, to rescind the organization's threat of legal action against the Port's Harbor Modernization Project and come to the table in a collaborative manner to achieve our shared goals of protecting our bay and our way of life," Driscoll continued.
Bradley Byrne, president and CEO of the Mobile Chamber, previously warned the lawsuit "threatens future job growth."
The chamber, along with the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, Business Council of Alabama, Coastal 150, Economic Development Association of Alabama, Manufacture Alabama, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and Partners for Environmental Progress, signed the letter.
The Port Authority also provided a fact sheet outlining the impact of the widening and deepening project.
Fact Sheet by Erica Thomas on Scribd
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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