Weeks Bay Watershed Project Management Plan - Mobile Bay ...

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treatment of wastewater sludge, atmospheric deposition and leachates
from landfills. Low levels of the metabolites of DDT, DDE and
DDD in oysters collected at the mouth of Weeks Bay were reported
in 1969 (May 1971).
Pesticide concentrations and PCB presence have been described by
Drs. Tom and Judy Lytle (Gulf Coast Research Laboratory) in an
ongoing EPA surface-water study and in a study conducted by Dr.
W. Schroeder (Dauphin Island Sea Lab). The Lytles compared water
column and sediment test results with EPA Water Quality Criteria
and found no evidence for concern in Weeks Bay and lower
Magnolia River. Concentrations in Weeks Bay sediments reported by
Schroeder were low for most contaminants.
C. Habitat/Resource Loss
Loss of fish and wildlife habitat, including submerged
grassbeds, fringe marsh, other wetlands and upland forest
reduces diversity and abundance.
Areas inland, in wetlands, along shorelines and in waterways
throughout the Watershed provide habitat for many plant, fish and
wildlife species. Loss of this habitat, whether by degradation or
destruction, reduces diversity and abundance of natural species.
Development reduces habitat by converting the land to the others
uses. The Baldwin County Long Range Development and
Management Plan Situation Analysis (SARPC 1993) points to the
likelihood that residential growth will increase, especially along the
water bodies, for the area of Baldwin County that includes the Weeks
Bay Watershed.
Historically, low population density and resource use have minimized
habitat loss and pollution problems in the Watershed. However, as
population in the area increases, the threat of habitat destruction will
increase as well. In addition to rapid population growth, commercial
growth is occurring rapidly in this area, especially along
transportation arteries. A comparison of past and future land use
requirements for Baldwin County, as illustrated in the County Long
Range Plan (SARPC 1993), indicates that residential, commercial, and
industrial development is projected to increase nearly 40 percent
between the years of 1990 to 2010 (Table 2). The reduction of
undeveloped land that had been prior wildlife habitat is a particular
concern.
An estimated 3,000 acres of prior-converted cropland (farm wetlands
converted to cropland) are located within the project area. The loss
of these wetlands and their associated water quality functions have
contributed to degradation of the Fish and Magnolia rivers and many
Weeks Bay Watershed Management Plan