Today we submitted comments on the Draft Future Land Use Plan, Master Street Plan, and Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations as part of the Map for Mobile process. We believe these comments contain suggestions, that if implemented, will improve Mobilians' quality of life, protect our environment, and are very much in keeping with Mayor Stimpson's vision of having the "most family friendly city in America by 2020".
We must remember the summer of 2010, the loss and the fear we felt deep in our souls and the concerns we all shared so that we never allow ourselves to go back to that world. The world didn’t end in 2010, but neither did our work for Clean Water, Clean Air and Healthy Communities.
Citizens living on Hollinger's Island are concerned about current operations at Millard Maritime. Concerns include the facilities storage of up to 40,000 tons of fertilizer on the site and the potential for the fertilizer to impact nearby air and water quality.
The facility now plans to expand those operations. Mobile Baykeeper has submitted comments on behalf of our board, officers, staff and more than 4,500 members regarding two separate permits for the expansions proposed by Millard Maritime.
Baldwin County Sewer Service is proposing to put a sewage line under the Fish River, a river utilized by many community members to recreate and which ultimately flows into Weeks Bay. Mobile Baykeeper and our members have raised significant concerns with this project. Allowing a sewage line under Fish River, would create the potential for a massive sewage spill. Read more to find out how YOU can get involved.
The data from the map shows that between 28.8 million - 42.6 million gallons of sewage overflows were reported in 2016, not including the 9% of spills reported that did not include a volume estimate. However, the true number of spills that actually occurred is far higher than the map indicates as there were many spills that were reported with incomplete data or not reported at all.
This proposed project will not fill any wetlands, which is a major improvement. That being said, the current application still proposes to fill 9.25 acres of waterbottoms, dredge 34,800 cubic yards, and install more bulkheads on Mobile River.
If the two sides can come to an agreement this will be a WIN for residents living along Fish River, citizens of Alabama who enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming in the Fish River and Weeks Bay, and the unbelievably beautiful local environment. If not, the sewage line under the river will be a permanently looming threat to citizens, the River, and Weeks Bay.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is hosting a public workshop this Thursday, March 16 to address plans for deepening and widening activities related to the Mobile Bay Channel. Any individual interested in the proposed improvements to the harbor may attend.
Mobile Baykeeper’s primary focus in commenting on the 2017 Ambient Air Monitoring Plan is safeguarding the health of citizens living in Coastal Alabama. We believe the protection of human health should be the most important factor driving decisions about ambient air monitoring.