Project Summary

1. Project ID
Name	Mon Louis Island/Grand Bay Savanna
Region	Gulf of Mexico Region
State	AL
Location
Date of this update	8/3/00

Habitat Restoration/Protection
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)

3. Project description (100 words or less)

PHASE ONE: Land Use Change Analysis

The southern portion of Mobile County is experiencing rapid growth from both residential and commercial/industrial activities. Agriculture and forestry are also competing for increasing less space. The abundance of surface water and the high water tables, proximity to Alabama's commercial/ public oyster reefs, and large areas of natural cover allows this area to act as a barometer of Alabama's coastal quality of life. The loss of a heritage is illustrated in the decline of local communities' ability to make a living from the low-impact, sustainable culture of shellfish harvesting and processing.

The lack of objective land use characterizations for the south Mobile County area results in piecemeal development often without any regard to ecological integrity.

GEMS are areas that have been identified and accepted through a public review process and reviewed by agencies and academics as being critical in the preservation of vital habitat that impact the Gulf of Mexico.

The Mon Louis Island/Grand Bay Area is located within the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Boundary, one of the GMP 12 priority areas, and is adjacent to impaired waterbodies listed on Alabama's 303(d) list.

APPROACH

The University of South Alabama Mathematics and Statistics Department will develop and revise new algorithms to perform analysis of remote sensed data to determine and project land use characteristics of Man Louis Island and the Fowl River Watershed.

The land use will be based on three, preferably four data sets. The data sets currently identified are remote sensed photogrammetry covering the 20 years. Data includes 1977, 1986, and 1996 flight information in color IR flown in winter, early spring. The 1977 and 1986 data is at 1:24000, and the 1996 data is 1:64000.

The analysis should reveal the current and historical location of habitat types, proximity of new development to surface waters, current monitoring locations, and transportation corridors. It should also give indications of locations for the placement of additional water quality monitoring sites that will be used to determine sources of contaminant input.

A one-year water quality monitoring effort and land use change analysis will be evaluated to develop strategies to address impacts to the watershed and GEMS. Strategies will be further defined and a schedule for implementation will be developed.

Phase Two: Water quality monitoring

It is anticipated that following an evaluation and review of Phase One results and products, certain visual evidence of increased land use will allow the investigator(s) to determine where additional water quality sampling would be useful. The water quality parameters that would be collected (dissolved oxygen, turbidity, fecal coliform, etc.) will be determined by the probability of impact types and current past sampling data and the cost of sample analysis.

Current water quality monitoring efforts in the project area include Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). The BAYWATCH Program, operated by the ACF, has volunteers taking samples for dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, salinity, temperature, and fecal coliform. Currently there are two volunteer water quality-sampling stations located in the project area. One station is along the northern portion of the island, at the mouth of Fowl River, sampling for DO, temperature, salinity, turbidity and fecal coliform. The other sampling station at the southern portion of the island at the mouth of the Mississippi Sound does not currently sample, for fecal coliform. Fecal coliform samples are given to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to perform sample analysis and correlate the data. All volunteers are trained in proper sampling techniques and quality control.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) samples over ten (10) sites in the project area to monitor for safe shellfish harvesting and consumption. The ADPH tests monthly for primarily pathogens such as E. Coli and Fecal Coliform. They also test for temperature, salinity and perform meat sample testing. Currently, the ADPH does not test for turbidity or dissolved oxygen. The project area corresponds with the ADH Monitoring AREA I.

The Mon Louis Island/Grand Bay Area is located within the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Boundary, one of the GMP 12 priority areas, and is adjacent to impaired waterbodies listed on Alabama's 303(d) list.

After evaluation of Phase One and identification of possible impact areas, the need of obtaining additional water quality information will be determined. The ability to access sites must be suitable to allow the -use of volunteer monitors. The need for boats may be warranted given the lack of clear shoreline allowing reasonable safe access.

APPROACH

The ACF, ADEM and the ADPH assistance will be instrumental in the success of Phase Two. The identification and training of additional volunteer water quality samplers, and quality control certification, CAA/SC recertification will be accomplished through the EPA approved Alabama Water Watch Association. Types of Sample kits will be determined based on information identified as needed in Phase One.

The primary need will be to support additional parameter testing by the . ADPH by including volunteer monitors to sample for DO and turbidity. Due to the probable impact from erosion during land- disturbance activities and the negative consequences on oyster reefs, these two parameters are vital for effective overall monitoring. Also, the need for additional monitoring stations will likely be evidenced by the lack of stations in the smaller tributaries that drain the area

PHASE THREE: Management Strategy Development

INTRODUCTION

After completion of Phase One and during Phase Two, certain land use practices and associated impacts will be identified. Based on these identifications and with the identification of existing and possible buffer areas, a task force or working group will be formed. The primary emphasis will be to develop NON-REGULATORY approaches and incentives to establish conservation easements, donations and government acquisitions to preserve these buffer zones. Areas that have been identified as being good candidates for restoration and that show some link to providing increased water quality or habitat during Phase One and Two will also be addressed.

Although NON-REGULATORY approaches are emphasized, model ordinances addressing appropriate techniques to preserve buffer areas and wildlife corridors will be developed for voluntary use by local planning agencies.

The Mon Louis Island/Grand Bay Area is located with in the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Boundary, one of the GMP 12 priority areas, and is adjacent to impaired waterbodies listed on Alabama's 303(d) list.

APPROACH

A group comprised of the participants of Phase One and Phase Two will form the base of a Task Force to develop the appropriate strategies to implement the identified goals. Agencies, non-profit groups, academics, and local landowners will be represented. Appropriate Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) and Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) will be negotiated during Phase One, Two and Three to ensure participation and effective. efficient use of available resources.

The Nature Conservancy will take the lead in negotiating conservation easements and land acquisitions. Agencies will work to develop appropriate model ordinances that will be made available to local city and county planning agencies for adoption on a voluntary basis. The Task Force will also provide education and outreach materials as they are developed. All materials will be made available to local planning agencies.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

Phase One
Computer generated statistical analysis of (20) twenty years of land use change
Interpret changes and develop forecast of future growth trends
Identify possible point and non-point pollution source pathways
Identify possible restoration locations and additional water quality monitoring sites
Identify possible buffer areas and wildlife corridors

Phase Two
Provide additional water quality monitoring sites
Confirm possible sources of contaminants to surface waters

Phase Three
Develop strategies to preserve or improve water quality
Develop strategies to preserve high priority habitat integrity
Develop MOA and MOU's to implement strategies

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

	  Cash	Federal	
			Non Federal 	State government 
					Local government
					Private industry
					Public interest groups
			Total	


	  In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)
	
	  Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

9. Project Status

• Initiation date:
• Completion date:
• Current stage (Initiated - I, Underway - U or Completed - C)

10.Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments