FAIRHOPE — The Mobile Baykeeper held a second town hall Tuesday evening regarding the widening and deepening of the Port of Mobile.
The Baykeeper has been concerned with maintenance dredging, which they claim will dump 90 million cubic yards of dredge material in Mobile Bay over the course of 20 years.
Tuesday’s meeting was held at Fairhope United Methodist Church. Around 80 people came out to hear the concerns and address the Baykeeper.
William Strickland, the executive director of the Mobile Baykeeper, told the crowd that the group is not against port improvements. He said they want the Army Corps of Engineers to be responsible for materials dredged to make those improvements possible.
He said other ports, such as New Orleans, the Chesapeake and Savannah, were not handled the way the Mobile Port is being handled.
“They are all very successful ports, very successful economic areas with large cities and none of them are practicing open water disposal,” he said. “And the one here, Mobile Bay, is the only one with the balloon that's in the water where we're doing large amounts of open water disposal; at least, that's the plan.”
Strickland said he believes some concerned about the Baykeeper’s involvement have misunderstood the purpose of what the group is doing.
Bradley Byrne, president and CEO of the Mobile Chamber, previously stated if the Baykeeper filed a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers over the impact on the Gulf Sturgeon, jobs could be affected.
“While lawsuits like this one are adept at generating headlines, they're not exactly known for building bridges (or in this case, shipping channels) towards a better future,” Byrne said after the Baykeeper sent a letter of intent to sue. “The deepening and widening of the ship channel, which was approved through a rigorous environmental process, will make Mobile Bay the deepest harbor on the Gulf Coast.”
Since the letter, Strickland said he has had an open line of communication with the Chamber. While he said he cannot comment on the Chamber's current stance on the issue, he does feel there is a better understanding between the two groups.
"I think that there was a misunderstanding as to what we were trying to accomplish," Strickland said. "There's been some clarity given and then also a tremendous amount of pressure from the community who says that this isn't right, what's happening."
He said economic concerns are important and the Baykeeper is not trying to stop economic development. In fact, he pointed out that 49,000 jobs are related to commercial and recreational fishing on Alabama’s coast.
Strickland said he is thankful that U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) heard about the concerns and made moves to secure millions to ensure proper disposal of sediment.
“That’s really good news when your elected officials start listening to you,” he said.
Taylor Norton, who sells insurance on the Eastern Shore, said his business depends on selling the quality of life to people in the area.
“Well, quality of life is ultimately tied to the quality of the bay,” said Norton.
Norton said one of his favorite things to do is fish, and he got involved after realizing the health of fish was being impacted. He said he talked to officials and was told there was nothing he could do as a private citizen. However, he is hopeful with the Baykeeper’s help, changes will be made to the current plan.
“I have a vested interest in the bay,” he said. “My family, that's my whole life. That's where we've grown up, fishing, spending time with duck hunting. So, to me, it's important that we protect it.”
The Mobile Baykeeper has outlined six requests to mitigate the issues:
No in-bay disposal that is not beneficial use
Involvement and approval of Baykeeper for beneficial use projects
Formal study on wave energy mitigation along the ship channel
In-channel dissolved oxygen system
Private cost-share program to convert waterfront property to living shoreline
Largescale public waterfront property conversion project to living shoreline
The Mobile Baykeeper has a meeting scheduled with the Army Corps of Engineers at the end of the month.
The widening and deepening project will bring in larger cargo ships and create more opportunities for Alabama and the United States. The dredge material from the initial phase of the project has already been put to beneficial use or dumped offshore.
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.
Strickland told 1819 News he was happy to see the turnout at both town hall meetings.
"Everyone that has spoken has said this shouldn't happen and they should do something else with the dredge material," he said.
He asked participants to continue communicating with lawmakers about their concerns and to thank Britt for her action on the matter.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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