Mobile County Acts to Guard Drinking Water Source

Posted on: Jul 29th, 2015 | Announcements

The Mobile County Commission is aiming to purchase another 200 acres around the Big Creek Watershed as part of an ongoing effort to protect the reservoir that supplies Mobile County?s drinking water. Cost of the purchase is $360,000 through grants from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service yesterday gave the go-ahead on the purchase. At the same time, the Mobile County Commission is closing on a purchase of 15 acres of shoreline property at its River Delta Park Marina & Campground in Creola, a beautiful entryway to the pristine ecosystem of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Not only does it add the acreage to the existing park and campground, but it provides the county the opportunity to secure and revitalize the shoreline. The county has tentative plans for the park to add an elevated boardwalk in the new area that will connect to an existing boardwalk several hundred feet in length that navigates around the shoreline and into marsh areas. ?We want to identify environmentally fragile areas around our natural resources and assure that they continue to be maintained and preserved for the benefit of our citizens and generations to come,? said Mobile County Commission President Jerry Carl. The Mobile County Conservation Acquisition Project has so far purchased more almost 1,000 acres of sensitive land that abuts vital natural resources throughout the county. Most of the land, or 760 acres, is located within the Big Creek Watershed ?We are blessed with incredible natural resources and it is our responsibility to ensure that we preserve and enhance them when given the opportunity,? said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson said the county ?encourages a robust program for protection of our environment, not only in land acquisition and maintenance, but by providing recycling opportunities, neighborhood cleanups, and the safe disposal of hazardous wastes.? The Mobile County Commission has several more properties which it is seeking to acquire and conserve because of valued natural resources within them.