Wolf Bay Plan Final - Mobile Bay National Estuary Program

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G. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTCurrent Economic StatusGood environmental quality in the Wolf Bay watershed is essential to the economic health of theregion in many ways. Traditional land uses such as agriculture and silviculture continue tothrive in this portion of Baldwin County. Baldwin County leads all other counties in the state ofAlabama in revenues from tourism, an industry fueled in large part by the abundance of beachesand water-related recreational opportunities and charming rural character.Baldwin County’s beaches, bays and rivers promote an ever-increasing tourism industry.According to the Alabama Bureau of Travel and Tourism (ABTT), tourism-related expendituresfor 2001 in Baldwin County were $1.5 billion. Although nationally there has been a decline intourism the past three years, Alabama experienced a 1% increase. Recreational activities enjoyedby tourists include visiting beaches, fishing, boating, waterskiing, golfing, shopping, huntingand bird-watching.The Tanger Outlet in Foley, Alabama continues to draw visitors to the Wolf Bay watershed. TheCenter has exceeded $400 million in sales for each of the last three years. Retail expansion isexpected to impact the watershed environmentally and economically.“Snowbirds” is a term used by tourism agencies to define residents who live in cold climates andwinter in temperate areas. Coastal Alabama has a significant population of these winter residentswho contribute significantly to the economic status of the area. Also, many of these winterresidents become very involved in the community during their stay. In 1999, estimates generatedby the Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau indicate there were approximately 26,045transient winter residents.Baldwin County has established a reputation as a retirement community. Several magazines,including “Retirement Places Rated,” tout the area as one of the top retirement areas in the country.Census data from 2000 reflects that the “over 65” age group has grown by 45.8% in BaldwinCounty. New residents are attracted by the relaxed rural character of the area as well as itsproximity to the rivers and bays. As in many other communities, the real estate market is closelytied to aesthetic and environmental conditions such as land use and water quality.In addition to tourism, the economy of the Wolf Bay watershed is heavily dependent uponagriculture. Row crops and sod production are the major farm enterprises (Table 5, Sod Acreage).18
Listed below are the farming statistics for the Wolf Bay watershed.CropsAcres Harvestedin WatershedCorn525Soybeans1,000SmallGrain1,300Peanuts2,350Cotton3,550VegetableCrops200(Source: NRCS, 1998)Future Economic DevelopmentThe 2001 opening of the Foley Beach Express has made land in the watershed more accessible foreconomic development. Since its opening a plastics plant has located within the watershed anddiscussions continue regarding malls, car dealerships, bridges, marinas, an Indian casino, and awater park at the Foley Beach Express and Intracoastal Waterway.This management plan does not have any authority to abate development. However, it is ourintention for this management plan to be utilized by area decision-makers when looking at growthopportunities. As the watershed continues to be converted from agricultural land to residentialand commercial development and we increase the extent of impervious surface, it is imperativeour cities utilize the principles and tools provided in this management plan to develop responsibly(Figure 12, Impervious surface).The watershed project will continue to provide workshops to increase awareness and conservationopportunities for local stakeholders. Residents of the Wolf Bay watershed are also looking toutilize aerial photography to monitor local runoff (Figure 9, 1996 aerial photography).19
Page 2 and 3: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe Wolf Bay area
Page 4 and 5: 3. To protect groundwater resources
Page 6 and 7: C. Action Strategies for Protection
Page 8 and 9: B. Overview of ReportThis managemen
Page 10 and 11: II. DESCRIPTION OF THE WATERSHEDThe
Page 12 and 13: frequency of thunderstorms over coa
Page 14 and 15: productive agriculture soils. This
Page 16 and 17: The watershed is primarily rural, b
Page 20 and 21: H. HYDROLOGYBaldwin County is depen
Page 22 and 23: Pathogens include disease-causing b
Page 24 and 25: waters and the prompt notification
Page 26 and 27: a. Conservation Reserve Program (CR
Page 28 and 29: In 1990, the Coastal Zone Act and R
Page 30 and 31: 7. ADEM Source Water Assessment and
Page 32: the United States” except by a Co
Page 35 and 36: While there are no phase I or II mu
Page 37 and 38: V. ACTION STRATEGIES FOR PROTECTION
Page 39 and 40: B. EVALUATIVE CRITERIAIt is importa
Page 41 and 42: Issue: Homeowners, decision-makers,
Page 43 and 44: Action Strategy 4: Investigate effe
Page 45 and 46: Action Strategy 2: Develop a bacter
Page 47 and 48: 5. CONSTRUCTIONA survey of dirt roa
Page 49 and 50: Action Strategy 4: Encourage munici
Page 51 and 52: 7. FISHERIES:Fish and shellfish pop
Page 53 and 54: Issue: Homeowners are concerned abo
Page 55 and 56: Issue: There is a need for the gene
Page 57 and 58: Issue: Watershed residents need sup
Page 59 and 60: TABLE 2OAW CURRENT AND REQUESTED US
Page 61 and 62: TABLE 3WOLF BAY WATERSHED WATCH MON
Page 63 and 64: TABLE 4 - ADEM WATER USE CLASSIFICA
Page 65 and 66: TABLE 5SOD ACREAGE IN BALDWIN COUNT
Page 67 and 68: 67FIGURE 1
Page 69 and 70:
69FIGURE 3
Page 71 and 72:
Wolf Bay Watershed ProjectProposed
Page 73 and 74:
73FIGURE 7
Page 75 and 76:
75FIGURE 9
Page 77 and 78:
77FIGURE 11
Page 79 and 80:
79FIGURE 13
Page 81 and 82:
81FIGURE 15
Page 83 and 84:
APPENDIX 1—STEERING COMMITTEE MEM
Page 85 and 86:
MASGCMBWMEEMOAMRDMS4NEMONEPNOAANPDE
Page 87 and 88:
pH— Numeric value that indicates
Page 89 and 90:
APPENDIX 4 - ACTION STRATEGIES (CON
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
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Wolf Bay Plan Final - Mobile Bay National Estuary Program

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