A bill to re-open Mobile's Big Creek Lake to fishing and boating passed both an Alabama House Committee and an Alabama Senate Committee Wednesday.
HB 473 would prevent water and sewer systems from banning public recreation on public waters. The bill now goes to the floor of both bodies.
It was amended in the House committee. Bill sponsor Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle) said the amendments would establish procedures for water boards to address issues with a public body of water and for potential closure when there is evidence of detriment to water quality.
The Senate bill was introduced by Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer).
Stringer posted this update to social media:
In the photo, you see citizens who went to Montgomery and supported HB 473 in a public hearing. They are with the two sponsors of the bill. You see Williams in a cowboy hat. To his right is Stringer.
While statewide in effect, the bill is primarily aimed at reopening Mobile's Big Creek Lake to recreation.
An overflow crowd showed up for last week's hearing, 11 of whom spoke. Many in the crowd have families who have fished and boated in Big Creek Lake for decades.
Mobile-based group Take Back Big Creek Lake from MAWSS promoted attendance supporting the bill.
The bill was triggered by the closure of Mobile County's Big Creek Lake to recreation, which the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) ordered closed on February 4.
Stringer represents a large north Mobile County district containing Big Creek Lake. The lake is known for two things: it is the water supply for 70% of the greater Mobile area and is a popular recreation lake for fishermen and boaters.
"Suddenly declaring an entire lake off limits without offering specific reasons or justification is unfair and hurts the quality of life for everyone who lives in the area. The residents of House District 102 are angry and upset at this bureaucratic nonsense, and I share their reaction, so if MAWSS refuses to reverse its decision, the Legislature can certainly step in and reverse it for them," Stringer said.
The executive director of MAWSS, Bud McCrory, spoke at the hearing opposing the bill. He said it would be "detrimental" to MAWSS's mission of providing clean water to 350,000 people in the Mobile area.
Under the provisions of HB 473, a water or sewer board "may not in any way restrict the public's recreational use of a body of water, or portion thereof, owned or controlled by the board, including for fishing and boating."
Take Back Big Creek Lake from MAWSS has created a Facebook page with over 2,800 members. Electrical contractor Matthew Frazier organized the group.
The Alabama Department of Conservation determined on April 3 that Big Creek Lake is open to the public. Stringer filed a request with Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship on the question. The Department of Conservation's findings do not have the force and effect of law.
Jim' Zig' Zeigler writes about Alabama's people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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