Project ID Number is 158

A. General Information Suggestion State:
Entity/Sponsor: City of Foley Organization Website: http://www.cityoffoley.org
Contact Name: Leslie   Gahagan Title: Mrs.
Contact Address: 200 North Alston Street
Foley, AL   36535
Phone Number: 251-971-1471   Email: lgahagan@cityoffoley.org
Suggestion State: Reviewed Suggestion Date: 10/16/2014
B. Project Classification - Primary Ecological/Environmental (Including Water Quality)
C. Project Classification - Secondary
D. Project Information
Project Name: Graham Creek Nature Preserve Expansion
Project Location: East of 23460 Wolf Bay Drive, Foley
Project State(s):
AL
County(s):
Baldwin
Watershed/Basin: Wolf Bay Watershed Latitude: 30.648 Longitude:   -87.623
E. Project Description The City owns Graham Creek Nature Preserve, a 484 acre park that contains head water wetlands, pine savannas, mixed forests and tidal wetlands habitat with recreational and educational opportunities for the community and tourists alike. Graham Creek Preserve is bisected by Graham Creek and is bordered by this requested property acquisition along the northeastern boundary. This property would expand the park with 125 acres of pine savanna along the northern side and tidal wetlands along Graham Creek through the southern interior. With this expansion visitors could access coastal habitats for bird watching, fishing, kayaking, hiking and other recreational opportunities. The existing educational programs would be expanded to incorporate this large area of shoreline. Educational signage would inform visitors of the natural ecosystem and native species. The site contains a variety of species of pitcher plants and rare orchids that would proliferate under proper management techniques such as prescribed burning operations. There are several gopher tortoise colonies that exist on this land as well. Tidal wetlands along the edges of the sinuous stream channel provide excellent protected nursery grounds for fish and shellfish. This property is also a favorite wintering site for Brown Pelicans, Wood Ducks and many other bird species. The City would include the property as part of the nature parks system for management, maintenance, restoration (removal of invasive exotic plant species and prescribed burning operations), water quality monitoring and eco-tourism marketing. The development pressures on this tract of land are great as the property to the north has a planned subdivision and the property to the east is developed as a residential subdivision. This last remaining undeveloped land along Graham Creek will be key in protection of this entire ecologically sensitive habitat.
F. Water Quality Projects and Ecological Benefits
G. Resiliency Considerations (Ecological; Social-Ecological; Social; Socio-Economic and/or Community Resilience)
H. Project Status
Property/Resource Acquisition:
Current Landowner or Holder of the Easement: 		Downey Family Limited Partnership Recent Appraisal? Yes
Project Planning/Design: N/A Project Permitting
No Permits
Project will take   3  Months to Begin and an additional  3  Months to Complete
Can be implemented in phases? No
No Phases
Is this project included under a regional or statewide plan/initiative? Yes
If so, list: AL Coastal Area Management Plan; Wolf Bay Watershed Management Plan
Project Feasibility and Likelihood of Success:
Leveraging/Complementary Projects:
I. Project Cost
Estimated Cost: $650,000.00 Maintenance/Operational Cost: $7,500.00
Nature of Cost: Prescribed Burn Operations Sources for Funding Costs: City Budget Funds
Level of Confidence: High New business startup or expansion? No
Basis/Method of Estimation: Based on Appraisal Figure
Matching Funds Available:
No Matching Funds
Project Partners:
OrganizationInvolvementContactTitleEmailAddressPhone Number
Wolf Bay Watershed WatchPartner with promotions and maintenanceLeslie GahaganPresidentleslielassitter@yahoo.com P.O. Box 63
Elberta, AL  36530		 251-269-1224  
J. Project Impact on Community
Community Need: Enhancement of Environmental Quality and Habitat Preservation Avoided Costs: Estuary and shoreline erosion
Indirect Benefits: Riverine flood protection; passive recreation and educational opportunities Environmental Benefits: Habitat preservation and head water wetland protection
Environmental Impacts: None Project Monitoring and Performance: Sustainment of natural habitat and restoration through prescribed burn operations
K. Resource Benefit(s):
Benefit(s): Marine Mammals  |  Shellfish  |  Birds  |  Terrestrial Wildlife   |  Sediment/Benthos  |  Reptiles/Amphibians  |  Shoreline  |  Fish  |  Vegetation  |  Recreational Use and Infrastructure 
Benefit State- or
Federally-listed Species? 		Yes If so, list: Eastern Indigo Snake - Threatened Alabama Red Bellied Turtle - Endangered Gulf Sturgeon - Threatened Gopher Tortoise - Under Consideration