Project ID Number is 159

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: Wolf Creek Park Expansion
Project Location: South of Wolf Creek Park on Hance Lane, Elberta
Project State(s):
AL
County(s):
Baldwin
Watershed/Basin: Wolf Bay Watershed Latitude: 30.364 Longitude:   -87.619
E. Project Description The City owns Wolf Creek Park, a 25 acre property that contains coastal habitat with recreational and educational opportunities for the community and tourists alike. Wolf Creek Park is the northern boundary of the requested acquisition. This property would expand the park with the remainder of the coastal bird rookery habitat along the creek and interior cove. With this expansion visitors could access coastal habitats for bird watching, fishing and kayaking. 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. Also there is a natural cypress wetland along the interior side of the shoreline. Tidal wetlands along the cove provide excellent protected nursery grounds for fish and shellfish. Ornithologists have noted the large aquatic bird populations that nest on this property as well. Furthermore, the property can absorb tidal surges to prevent coastal flooding upstream. The City would include the property as part of the nature parks system for management, maintenance, restoration (removal of invasive exotic plant species), water quality monitoring and eco- tourism marketing.
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:
Susanna Gordon 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: $325,000.00 Maintenance/Operational Cost: $0.00
Nature of Cost: NA Sources for Funding Costs: NA
Level of Confidence: High New business startup or expansion? No
Basis/Method of Estimation: High 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 Aquatic Bird Habitat Avoided Costs: Estuary and shoreline erosion
Indirect Benefits: Tidal surge and riverine flood protection; passive recreation and educational opportunities Environmental Benefits: Habitat preservation
Environmental Impacts: None Project Monitoring and Performance: Sustainment of natural habitat and continued existence of bird rookery
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 - Consideration