Commission Receives $1.5 Million Grant for North Mobile County Park

Posted on: Nov 22nd, 2010 | Announcements

Mobile County will soon be making some environmental improvements to Mobile County River Delta Tourism and Welcome Center, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement. The Commission unanimously approved the award at today?s meeting. With the $1,527,000 grant the county will be able to replace aging structures, provide marina wastewater facilities, remove storm debris, restore wetland habitat and implement an environmental outreach and education program for boaters and visitors. ?The River Delta provides a beautiful passage way to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, and now we have the opportunity to make many structural and natural enhancements to the park,? said Commission President Merceria Ludgood. ?These improvements will certainly make us better stewards of marine life and educate the public on the causes and effects of pollution.? According to Mobile County?s Environmental Director Bill Melton, who applied for the grant as part of the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP), approximately 10 acres of bottomland hardwood and freshwater marsh will be restored by clearing storm debris, removing invasive exotic species and replanting a variety of native species. ?Improving the water quality is a top priority,? said Commissioner Mike Dean. ?With the installation of a sewer pump station, the sewer discharges will be virtually eliminated,? said Commissioner Dean. Public access to sewage pump-out facilities will also be provided to promote the best practices for fuel management. ?Not only will the improvements be protecting our ecosystem, but they will make visitors to the park more environmentally conscious,? said Commissioner Connie Hudson.