The Mobile Port dredging operations are causing concern among environmentalists, residents, business owners and those who work in the waters of Mobile Bay. Now, some say the federal government isn't playing by its own rules.
The Alabama Port Authority is deepening and widening the channel and will have to continue maintenance dredging for years to keep the ship channel open for commerce.
SEE ALSO: Watch: Shocking video of Mobile Bay dredging causes outrage, concern
However, there are several sites where dredge material is being disposed of that groups, such as Mobile Baykeeper, say are harming the ecosystem and local residents.
Mobile Baykeeper executive director William Strickland told 1819 News that he supports the project but noted the ongoing maintenance will place 90 million cubic yards of dredge spoil into the bay over the next 20 years. He said another problem is that the federal government is not playing by its own rules.
"As anybody who's ever dredged out a boat slip or done any work on the water, there are lots of rules," Strickland said. "And of course, from a water quality perspective, I applaud those rules. But if you violate those, there are harsh penalties for homeowners, property owners, taxpayers who are trying to improve their property. So, while those rules are important, and I think they should be enforced, I'd also like to see it being enforced on the largest dredging project in the history of our area."
A Mobile marine construction company owner said he is a prime example of that. While he appreciates the widening and deepening project, Scott Cassity of Cassity Brothers Construction said those managing the project should be held to the same standards as everyone else.
"The point is to keep the bay clean, protect the wildlife and the whole ecosystem," Cassity told 1819 News. "If I had any turbidity or plumes forming, they'd shut me down with just a small amount."
There are strict federal, state and local guidelines that everyone must follow. Any work in or around waterways must maintain minimal amounts of runoff. Companies must bring in specialized equipment, including turbidity booms. The process is expensive and time-consuming, but Cassity understands the importance of those steps. Still, not every process is perfect, and Cassity said he has received warnings in the past. However, he said the port widening and deepening project dwarfs his projects.
"It happens sometimes," Cassity said. "You get great weather, and all of a sudden, you get a nasty storm roll in, but we do the best we can to try and prevent anything like that. That boom is in place to make sure we don't disturb anything, but I will never see in my entire lifetime or my entire career the volume or amount of pluming and dumping of mud like they're doing in the channel."
"The rules are for everyone else, not for them," said Cassity. "What's the point in having the rules if they're not going to abide by them?"
Cassity said there are ways to manage the project so that it does not harm the environment.
Strickland said it is important to recognize that water quality has a direct impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of those who make their living on the water.
The Port is working on a beneficial use site south of the Causeway. The Army Corps of Engineers is working to execute beneficial use projects, such as oyster bed, wetland, and shoreline restoration, in several locations.
"Without having all dredge material management methods available, Alabama will have a $366M, -50 ft channel that it cannot keep dredged to 50 feet," said Alabama Port Authority spokesman Maggie Oliver. "Our State made an incredible $150M investment to bring this project to fruition, and the Port remains committed to its work with our federal partners at the Corps to continue serving our customers and delivering for Alabama's economy."
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains it is in compliance with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
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