July  , 2009

Headquarters,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: CECW-P (IP)
7701 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 22315-3860

RE: Mississippi Coastal Improvements Project

Dear Sir:

I am writing you to provide my public comment to the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP). As an owner of property on Dauphin Island, I am most concerned that this project did not include Dauphin Island as part of the barrier island restoration.

As you know, Dauphin Island is the lead barrier island in the chain of four barrier islands that act as the first line of defense against Tropical Storms and Hurricanes for Mississippi and Alabama. Dauphin Island also plays a critical role in the protection of the oyster population in the Mississippi Sound. I believe you would agree that a substantial Dauphin Island is critical to maintaining the long-term integrity of the entire barrier island chain. If Dauphin Island is not properly restored, then it is most probable that there will be adverse consequences for Mississippi’s barrier islands that will expose the mainland in Mississippi to greater wave heights during future storm events.

What I find most perplexing is that the Corps of Engineers will take sand from Alabama sites to re-nourish the Mississippi barrier islands, but not use this sand to re-nourish the beaches of Dauphin Island. Our sand shortage on Dauphin Island can be traced back to the Corps dredging of the Mobile Ship Channel. In fact, in your Appendix H, Chapter 6, page 61, it is stated that one of the principal causes of the island barrier erosion in Mississippi and that had…”the greatest change over the last 100+ years is the reduction in sand supply related to the dredging of navigation channels…” Dauphin Island has the same problem.

I believe these points illustrate that there are compelling reasons for Mobile County, Alabama to be added to the MsCIP Study, and Dauphin Island in particular to be included in the Comprehensive Barrier Island Restoration Plan.

Sincerely,




Cc: The Honorable Jo Bonner
United States House of Representatives
2236 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Richard Shelby
United States Senate
304 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0104