2/01/2010:
Task Force Plan for an interim solution to the crisis is nearing completion.
After hundreds of man-hours, including exhaustive research, meetings with government agencies, and elected leaders, the Task Force's report is nearing completion. It will be presented to Dr. Douglass and the Town Council, and at a Public Meeting, the date of which will be announced soon. You can click here to read about the need for an interim plan.
An on-line petition has been established so property owners can make their support known. To view a petition and add your support to our efforts, click here
1/31/2010: Shoreline erosion getting statewide attention
During the month of January, as the erosion of the Gulf of Mexico shoreline continued, government officials throughout Alabama arrived to take stock of the situation, and to hear concerns of local residents and property owners.
Following a December west-end visit from Congressman Jo Bonner's aide Frazier Paine, January visitors included State Representative Spencer Collier, State Senator Ben Brooks, President of Mobile County Commissioners Mike Dean, and even a surprise visit from Alabama Attorney General Troy King, who trudged through a block-and-a-half of piled sand to hear the concerns of west-end property owners.
1/19/2010:
Town votes to change GOMESA request
At the Town Council meeting Tuesday, the Town Council heard a request from the Task Force to change the GOMESA funding request from "Property Acquisition" to "Shoreline Stabilization and Hurricane Preparedness".
What this means is that the Town voted to use a $2 million fund to stabilize the shoreline; previously, this money had been earmarked to buy up property on the Island for future use. This money was "extra" money from 2007 CIAPS funding, which is gas and oil revenue money collected by the State and distributed to Mobile and Baldwin counties for various coastal projects.
While it would seem apparent that shoreline stabilization should be the number 1 priority right now, this vote required much effort, and it seems that it would not have passed without the 90 letters we collected from West-End property owners last weekend. Thank you for your efforts, your voices were definitely heard.
1/14/10:
Lack of action by Town to address the crisis on the West End prompts formation of Task Force.
A group of Property Owners has formed a Task Force in order to address the crisis situation on the West End. This group has begun meeting with County, State and Federal authorities and legislators, to find a near-term solution, so that the West End will still be here 4 years from now, when the Town's project will be started, by even the most optimistic estimates.
12/26/09:
Bienville flooded by Gulf overwash, west of St. Stephens
Click the arrow to view some of the flooding on Bienville yesterday- just west of St. Stephens. Video footage courtesy of Mr. Marion Laney.
After watching this, you might be inclined to ask what the Mayor and Town Council are doing about this . . . . The answer, unfortunately, is "nothing". There is no emergency plan, there is no request for funding, there isn't even an effort to put the sand cleared from roads back on the shoreline. There is a "study" underway . . . but there is not interim plan to do anything to save the west end.
So, we have formed a "West-end Task-force" to address the situation. There IS a way to fix this situation, and to keep the West End viable until a shoreline stabilization and renourishment plan happen . . . . but we need your help. Please watch the video, and then send us an email to let us know you want to help.
12/10/10:
A month after Tropical Storm Ida, the Town is still hoping for a "Disaster" declaration . . . . at what cost?
As you'll recall, the storm known as Ida passed through here on 11/9. The Town crews did a great job of clearing the roads and piling up the sand. Unfortunately, that sand is disappearing, when it could be protecting the 47 homes that are now touching the water.
Why have we not put the sand back where it could be protecting these homes? Well, in short, because the Mayor and two members of the Town Council decided not to.
The Mayor will likely tell you that they are waiting for FEMA to declare us a "disaster" but we need to protect our resources in the meantime . . . He will also tell you that Dr. Scott Douglass doesn't support the idea, but Dr. Douglass is not an elected official, and has not been present at a Town Council meeting to discuss the matter.
Are we just to stand by and watch this happen? Of course not! Make your voice heard . . . . contact us to learn how to help: (251)-455-1159
No Plan, No Help from Town Hall
As you may or may not be aware, the storms of the past month have destroyed another 30 feet of beach or more; right now, there are 47 houses in the water on the West End; this does not include those lots that were under water since Katrina.
If you haven’t been down there in the past month, the difference is truly shocking. From what we can determine, we have lost over 100 feet of south shoreline in the past three years. This is truly a crisis. As such, we have begun referring to the area not as the “West End” but as the “Crisis Area”.
So, the logical question is, “What is the Town doing about this”?
Two Council members (Steve Denmark and Clinton Collier) tried to pass a very common-sense measure, which would have allowed the Town to use Town equipment to push the wash-over sand back where it came from (routine practice in Gulf Shores). Unfortunately, members Lisa, Mary and Jeff Collier would not support this measure (Sherry did not attend).
The other measure proposed also would have asked the Alabama Attorney General to decide if North side homeowners (who wanted sand removed) could give it to their south-side neighbors who need it. This measure, supported by Clinton and Steve was also stonewalled by Lisa, Mary, and Mayor Collier.
Mayor Collier’s reasoning for not taking action? He had “spoken with Dr. Douglass, who doesn’t like the idea of putting the sand back on the beach” and so voted to do nothing.
While (Dr.) Scott Douglass knows a lot about beaches, he is not an elected official. He is not part of the Town Public Works department, and he was not present at the meeting to discuss the matter with affected homeowners.
And, so, with this convenient excuse, the Mayor and the Town Council are doing absolutely nothing at this point to save the West End Crisis Area.
If you think the Town should obtain a waiver from Municipal Code 94, allowing the Town to put sand back on the shoreline, please call and/or email your Mayor and Council Members and let them know they need to support a waiver from Municipal Code 94.
To send an email to the Town Council and Mayor Jeff Collier, click here
Town Council and Mayor's phone numbers
12/08/09:
47 Houses are currently in danger of being lost.
That's right . . . 47 houses had a "wet piling" today, according to our unofficial but seemingly accurate count. Those houses are worth, by our most conservative guess, around $25 Million. Those houses also likely provide about $300,000 of the Town's budget, in the form of Lodging Tax, Sales, Tax and Ad Valorem (property) taxes. These numbers don't even count the houses/lots that are in the water from Katrina.
The Mayor has admitted that the Town has no Plan for the West End, no Money designated for the West End, and noting currently in the pipeline for the West End.
Folks, we need you to be at the Town meeting on 12/14. The future of our Island may well depend on it. Please email us or call (800) 771-1480 for info.
12/04/09:
Some thoughts on the "Crisis Area" on the west end
Those of us with properties in the "critical area" are realizing that we don't have 4 or 5 years to wait for yet another study, and to raise the $30- $40 million it will take for an engineered beach. IN the meantime, our beach houses, and the property under them, will be lost forever.
The current Mayor and previous Town Council have wasted 4 or 5 valuable years . . . . We have to move quickly, right now, in order to save what is left, or there will be no "west end" to study and engineer.
Some of the "common knowledge" regarding grants, funding, permitting, etc that has been circulating as "fact" for a number of years are not necessarily true. Many of these "barriers" to solving west end problems have never been explored with any intensity; as soon as there was any resistance, they completely backed off. There have been many missed opportunities to mitigate the damage over the past five years, while meanwhile, other communities have been taking care of their endangered coastline.
Did you know, for example, that Gulf Shores routinely puts the sand that is displaced by storms right back on the private property it came from? That's right- the sand piled up south of Bienville could have been put back under our houses, where it came from. It's a simple waiver to obtain, but one the Town Council and the Mayor just voted the other night not to pursue.
Did you also know that, over the past five years, we have not asked for any money to take emergency action to minimize the damage to the West End, until a beach renourishment project can be obtained (such as an offshore jetty to break up wave action, dredging sand to build our own berm, or putting a hardened sea wall, or groin at some point? Yes, that's true as well.
12/03/09: A visit today from Frazier Payne, on behalf of Congressman Jo Bonner's office; Town officials conspicuously absent.
Frazier Payne, a Field Representative from Congressman Bonner's office, came to the Island today to meet with Dauphin Island folks and hear our concerns. Congressman Bonner, you will recall, has requested a $1.5 million FY 2010 federal appropriation for Dauphin Island to fund a beach re-nourishment engineering feasibility study. Congressman Bonner also serves on the Appropriations Committee.
Unfortunately, the Mayor did not appear at the meeting. Neither did any of the Town Council representatives. Thankfully, two DIPOA members were present (Glenn Coffee and Capt. Jack Gaines) and a few concerned property owners (Nancy Meyer and Lisa Jones).
These folks asked Mr. Payne to accompany them to the West End Critical Area, where he was shocked to see the profound loss of land that has occurred this year.
12/02/09: Very disturbing Town Council Meeting:
During the Agenda meeting on Monday, and the Council Meeting on Tuesday night, some rather disturbing developments were revealed:
1) The Council will not authorize placing the sand moved during tropical storm Ida back where it came from, even though a whole new tier of houses is now encroached upon by the Gulf.
2) The Council voted to renew the contract of lobbyist Rod Grimm, who is paid $125,000. per year, but has produced only one small grant for $400K.
3) The Council voted to not renew the Contract of ERIS (Liberty) for an equal amount, although they have brought in nearly $4 million dollars during the same time period.
Even more disturbing is the fact that the one grant brought in by Mr. Grimm will be given to a contractor (WRSCompass) without going through the competitive bid process, although they have not done this type of work before. Why not put it out for bid? Ask the Mayor.
When pressed by a local resident as to why such a large contract would not be put out out for competitive bidding, the Mayor stated that he was told by NOAA that competitive bidding "wasn't required", which would seem to contradict both published law, and common sense.
4) After the Agenda Meeting, the Mayor, when pressed by a resident to answer questions regarding the critical situation on the West end, revealed that there is currently no plan to save the West End, that there is no monies, no studies and no projects currently in the works to save the West End.
Folks, the West End is disappearing rapidly, and there is nothing really being done about it, except trying to raise money for another "study". There will not be anything left to study in another year or two. The time has come for action; is the Mayor and Council up to the task? It sure doesn't look like it to me.
11/30/09:
Hartman & DIPOA v. Army Corp of Engineers suit settled.
The Judge has decided to accept the settlement, as per the second amendment to the Agreement.
In other news, Bill Harper has resigned as POA President. Bruce Jones has assumed the position of DIPOA President, VP is now Jay Minus. Welcome to the new DIPOA President.
Read Bruce's letter to the POA membership.
9/02/09:
Are you part of the class-action lawsuit settlement? You might be . . . . without knowing it.
There are 1700 property owners who had opted-in in 2006 to be Class Members of the Corps of Engineers Lawsuit. Click here to see if your name is listed.
In addition, there are 238 property owners who may be unaware they are part of this Class Action Settlement, because they had purchased a property whose previous Owner had already opted "in".
The "Fairness Hearing" is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2009
As a reminder, the Fairness Hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2009, starting at 1:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the United States District Courthouse, 113 Saint Joseph Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602.
Please attend, if at all possible, especially if you objected to the Proposed Second Addendum.
8/14/09: DIPOA Meeting goes into double-overtime
There were many issues addressed during a meeting that ran for more than 3 hours in length, including some rather spirited opinions. Many Owners have concerns regarding the terms of the proposed Settlement, and we will post a more detailed summary in the upcoming days, but the most important items are summarized below:
The attorney representing the approximately 1,700 Property Owners who are participating in the Class-Action lawsuit against the Army Corp of Engineers made a presentation explaining the history of the lawsuit, and the Settlement Agreement reached between the parties last week.
- The Settlement Agreement has been signed by the three parties involved; Mr. Hartman, who brought the suit, the POA, on behalf of the Owners represented in the "Class Action" (basically, owners who opted to join the suit, back in 2006) and the US Government, on behalf of the Corp of Engineers.
- The Settlement does not become effective until approved by a Judge, and the Judge will not approve the proposed Settlement until after a "Fairness Hearing" is held on September 15, 2009, in order to let those of us who are affected by this Settlement to have our say on the matter. The Judge could decide to approve the settlement or reject the settlement. Likewise, any of the three parties who signed the Settlement Agreement could decide to reject the Agreement at that point, too.
- Notices were to be mailed out to all Owners today, notifying them of the terms of the proposed settlement, along with a form to mark "Yes" or "No" to indicate whether the Owner agrees with the settlement, or not, and also a form to fill out if the Owner wishes to address the Court during the hearing to be held on September 15, 2009
Responding to concerns voiced by Property Owners, the attorney distributed a document showing a change in the placement of a sentence regarding 5th Amendment property rights. See the settlement document change handout.
These concerns revolve around a portion of the agreement that requires Dauphin Island Property Owners to agree not to sue the US Government or the State of Alabama for land lost due to dredging/dumping practices in the past, and in the future.
We are in the process of gathering more information about what this really means, and will report back with more information.
Other items addressed during the meeting:
- DIPOA Email List
- DIPOA Website
- DIPOA Scholarship Fund
- DIPOA Boat Launch under consideration
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .more later . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8/13/09 DIPOA Meeting tonight, 6 pm at the Clubhouse
8/12/09 Town Hall Meeting- Location Changed In anticipation of a good turnout, the Town Hall meeting with Congressman Jo Bonner will now be held at the Catholic Church, on August 17, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
8/11/09: Questions arise about the proposed settlement with the Corp of Engineers
It is very important that Dauphin Island Owners learn how the details of the proposed settlement affects you personally and the property you own.
After a conversation with Richard Davis, attorney, who represented the POA in the lawsuit, it was confirmed that, that as an individual owner, you will be giving up all rights- past, present and future, to sue the Corps of Engineers, The United States, and the State of Alabama against all liabilities including the loss of our property due to future beach erosion caused by the Corps of Engineers.
Based the settlement, we will be giving up our rights, under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, for taking property without compensation under the Just Compensation Clause. In essence, every property owner on Dauphin Island will be giving up their property rights for a total of $1.5 million, or about $1,000 or less per Owner.
The DIPOA has posted a link to this agreement here:
Settlement with the Corp
8/5/09: Reminder . . . . meet with Congressman Bonner!
Congressman Jo Bonner Town Hall Meeting: Congressman Jo Bonner is scheduled to hold a Town Hall meeting on Monday, August 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 in the Council Chambers.
We need to enough people in attendance so that Congressman Bonner understands the urgency and critical nature of our concern about the restoration of our beaches. This will be the first time, and possibly the last, that you will have an opportunity to talk directly with Congressman Bonner about the issues of greatest concern to you regarding Dauphin Island and South Mobile County.
WE NEED A HEAVY TURN OUT. PLEASE JOIN US!
A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit against the Army Corp of Engineers
The DIPOA has posted a link to this agreement here:
Settlement with the Corp
The gist of it appears to be a one-time $1.5 million dollar payout to the DIPOA and a pledge to dump dredged sand where it will do the least harm, or the most good. More on this after we have had a chance to analyze it more thoroughly.
In the next two weeks, you will have an opportunity to help in the effort to save the west end of our Island . . . . and all it will cost is a few stamps!
Here's what you need to know:
1) The Corp of Engineer's Report for the restoration of the barrier islands that make up the Mississippi Sound has entered the Public Comment Period. As you may be aware- they plan to spend up to a half-billion dollars to restore uninhabited islands just west of Dauphin Island, but ignores Dauphin Island completely, even though much of the sand for this project will come from Alabama!
2) Congressman Jo Bonner is scheduled to hold a Town Hall meeting for August 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 in the Council Chambers. This may be our only opportunity to make Congressman Bonner aware that the West End is at a critical moment in time, and encourage him to use his position to help us save the west end of Dauphin Island.
Details are below- thank you for your support!
1. Corps of Engineer’s Final Report Public Comment period: The Corps of Engineers has completed its final report for the MsCIP Comprehensive Barrier Island Restoration Plan and it is now under a 30-day public review. Comments are to be submitted by 29 July to the Corps’ Washington Office.This public comment period offers us an important opportunity to provide our comments about the exclusion of Dauphin Island directly to the Corps’ Washington office. Many of you have taken the time to write letters to our congressional representatives asking for Dauphin Island to be included in the Barrier Island Restoration Plan and you should be commended for your effort.
Why is this important?
The original Congressional language that authorized the MsCIP restricted the study area to coastal Mississippi. Since Dauphin Island is an integral component of the Mississippi Sound barrier island chain and is the source of sand for the down-drift Mississippi islands, when the Corps made the decision to prepare the Comprehensive Barrier Island Restoration Plan, the study authority should have been amended to include Dauphin Island in the Plan. This would have allowed a truly “comprehensive” approach to restoration of the barrier islands. Thus, the study authority language is defective and the resulting restoration plan is incomplete.
The full report can be viewed: http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/pa/MsCIP/. See pages 59 - 66 Chapter 6: Multi-Agency Mississippi Barrier Island Restoration Recommendation Appendix H concerning General Introduction, Background, Impacts and Long Term Restoration Action
Individually, we have an opportunity to provide our comments to the Corps that Dauphin Island should be included in the Mississippi Coastal Barrier Island Improvements project.
Please be sure to make a written "comment" encouraging them to include Dauphin Island in this project:
Headquarters, U.S Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: CECW-P (IP)
7701Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA22315-3860
Would you like a "head start" on your letter to the Corp? Just click the link below for a letter you can modify and send in.
Send a Letter to the Corp of Engineers
I would suggest copies of your letter be sent to Congressman Bonner and Senator Shelby (addresses are provided).
2. Congressman Jo Bonner Town Hall Meeting: Congressman Jo Bonner is scheduled to hold a Town Hall meeting on August 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 in the Council Chambers.
We need to enough people in attendance so that Congressman Bonner understands the urgency and critical nature of our concern about the restoration of our beaches. This will be the first time, and possibly the last, that you will have an opportunity to talk directly with Congressman Bonner about the issues of greatest concern to you regarding Dauphin Island and South Mobile County.
WE NEED A HEAVY TURN OUT. PLEASE PUT THAT DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR.
. . . . . . . . . . .6/24: Help could be on the way . . . . if we act now!
Folks, decisions are being made right now in Washington, DC that could help save our Island from disappearing, but we need your help to make it happen . . .
Last Thursday, Congress voted to fund the Mississippi Barrier Island Restoration Plan, in effect appropriating $439 million to restore the barrier islands that make up the Mississippi Sound.
Though Dauphin Island is considered to be one of the main barrier islands in that chain of barrier islands, no money has been allocated for Dauphin Island!
It is crucial that we contact our elected Representatives now and request their support to ensure Dauphin Island is included in this project!
We are providing the addresses and links to all of the Alabama Representatives below, in addition to a sample letter that we hope you will personalize and send in promptly!
For those properties owners who do not live in Alabama, a link has been provided for you concerning all congressional and senate representatives for all states.
You can go to this link for information about your specific Congressman, Congresswoman or Senator:
http://directory.usayfoundation.org/
If you would like to read more about this, you can go to the following link to see the full text of an article about the approval for the billion defense appropriation and the money that has been approved for the Barrier Island Restoration:
Update: 6/23/09
The next Town Council "Agenda Meeting" is scheduled for Monday, July 6 and the regular Town Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
Glen Coffee will discuss two topics, as part of his regular update to the Council, that are important to POA property owners. He would like to see as many property owners to attend the meetings, especially West End Property Owners since they have so much at stake. The agenda meeting is important because that is when the real discussions on issues take place.
The two topics Glen will address are:
- Actions that can be taken to place further pressure on Congressman Bonner and Senator Shelby, including setting up a future forum requesting attendance of Congressman Jo Bonner and possibly others.
- Request that the Town reconsider its relationship with its Washington lobbyist who has been retained to help get a beach restoration project in view of last week's Congressional vote to provided $439,000,000 to restore Mississippi's barrier islands, and "$0" for Alabama's lone barrier island. The lobbyist did not inform the Town that the legislation was pending.
Update: 6/21/09
Our best bet for beach restoration . . . . . Mississippi Barrier Island Restoration passes vote in Congress.
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