Islandkeeper

New West-End Project, New Mean High Tide Line

by Stan Graves

Jan 14, 2022

National Fish & Wildlife approved funding for design and engineering for a West End shoreline restoration

Mayor Collier mentioned to me that it was his understanding that the funding is 30% funding for the TOTAL project. Therefore, the product of this effort will be less than what’s required for an eventual construction bid package.  Any additional funding for the project would come after NWFW approves the design and engineering. 

In addition, Mayor Collier commented that if a restoration project is approved, State Law would require the establishment of an accompanying mean high tide line that will be recommended by the engineer and approved by the town council (State Lands will also need to approve the proposed MHTL AND possibly any funding agency of the project.  Mayor Collier also commented that “while it’s too early to know exactly where such a line will be established, it certainly could impact current privately owned parcels.”

Petition

Mary Simone, a West End Property Owner, has started a petition concerning the West End erosion and is asking Dauphin Island residents, especially West End Property Owners and others who enjoy Dauphin Island, to sign the petition.  The link to the petition is:  https://chng.it/4dmwx7kStk

Click on the link to read the petition and consider signing it.  There is a video, funded by some Dauphin Island Property Owners and some others and developed by the Sierra Club of Alabama, that helps to that explains and will help you to understand the effects of the dredging of the Mobile Ship Channel by the Corps of Engineers. Click on updates at the top ruler to go to the video.

In regard to the West End project, I sent an e-mail to the President of the DIPOA and the Board of Directors about the announcement of the NWFW funding for engineering and design for the West End restoration project, and especially about the creation of a new Mean High Tide Line because of my concern that a new MHT Line would affect the West Surf Beach that is owned by the DIPOA, and the potential impact to private property as stated by the Mayor.  I hopefully will receive a response re that e-mail soon. 

I believe that all Dauphin Island property owners, especially West End shoreline property owners, should be properly advised of the potential effect of a new Mean Hide Tide line and the plans for this project.  I hope to hear from the Board of Directors about the steps the Board will be taking.