State of Alabama FINAL Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP ...

GOAL: The goal of this project is to acquire, for conservation purposes, environmentally sensitive areas
in West Mobile County.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project is to purchase tracts (25 to 250) of coastal areas and
manage the tracts for conservation purposes.
West Mobile County is home to the Big Creek Watershed, the Escatawpa River Watershed, and other
watersheds that contain undeveloped tracts of land. Big Creek Lake is the major drinking water source for
Mobile County. The Escatawpa River is widely recognized at one of the finest undeveloped black water
streams in the nation. Parts of the area are also identified as Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) habitat
(listed as endangered in Mobile County). The goal of this project is to acquire, for conservation purposes,
coastal areas in West Mobile County.
The Mobile County Commission proposes to purchase tracts of coastal areas (25 to 250 acres) and manage
the tracts for conservation purposes. Deed restrictions will be placed on these parcels. Elements of this
project include appraising potential parcels for acquisition and developing and implementing conservation
management plans.
Market conditions prevent the identification of specific parcels at this time.
AUTHORIZED USES
o This project meets the criteria set forth in Authorized Use #1: projects and activities for the
conservation, protection, or restoration of coastal areas, including wetland.
o Justification: This project will acquire land for conservation within the coastal area of Alabama.
o Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not applicable to this project.
o Partnering: There will be no partnering with this project.
o Benefit to the Natural Coastal Environment: Natural lands that once retained and absorbed
stormwater and provided animal habitat are being lost to development, thereby increasing the risk
of future flooding and other adverse impacts. With the acquisition of these lands Mobile County
will provide the much needed conservation, protection, and management of our coastal natural
resources.
State of Alabama Final Coastal Impact Assistance Program Plan
Mobile County Tier One Project Descriptions
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