Project ID Number is 336

A. General Information Suggestion State:
Entity/Sponsor: Weeks Bay Foundation Organization Website: http://www.weeksbay.org
Contact Name: Yael Girard  Girard Title: Executive Director
Contact Address: 11401 US Highway 98
Fairhope, AL   36532
Phone Number: 251-990-5004   11 Email: yael@weeksbay.org
Suggestion State: Reviewed Suggestion Date: 1/18/2017
B. Project Classification - Primary Ecological/Environmental (Including Water Quality)
C. Project Classification - Secondary
 Coastal Flood Protection
D. Project Information
Project Name: Weeks Bay East Gateway Tract
Project Location: East side of the mouth of Weeks Bay, across from Pelican Point. Tract sits off of County Road 26
Project State(s):
AL
County(s):
Baldwin
Watershed/Basin: Weeks Bay Watershed Latitude: 30.37361 Longitude:   87.82981
E. Project Description Acquisition of the Property to (i) protect it in perpetuity and (ii) access/address restoration needs to ensure that it provides the best habitat for native and endemic species. This project will be accomplished with support from the Weeks Bay Foundation (WBF) and the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR). In addition, the WBF will work with the Weeks Bay Reserve to create a management plan and prioritize restoration needs, including re-creation of longleaf pine savannas, pitcher plant bogs, and marsh and swamp habitat (where appropriate). This management plan will also include the removal of a dilapidated bulkhead on the waterfront point of the Property that splits Weeks Bay and Mobile Bay. Working with Dr. Eric Sparks from the Alabama Mississippi SeaGrant, a new adaptable shoreline plan would be created. Weeks Bay is listed as an “Outstanding National Resource Water” and is home to numerous native plant and animal species. This Property contains over 100 acres of wetlands. These include estuarine intertidal marsh, freshwater forested wetlands. There is also an unnamed creek that runs through the center of the marsh area. This provides protected habitat and shelter for wading birds and duck species and various indigenous marine life. The Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), an Alabama species of concern, has also been seen in the marsh. The scenic beauty of the Property is enjoyed by pleasure boaters, birders, and recreational fisherman. The bay front edge of the Property is a popular place for fisherman to anchor and angle for Redfish and Speckled Trout. The Property meets the priority acquisition and protection goals of various groups. It sits adjacent to existing protected land, owned by the Weeks Bay Foundation, called Herndon. In addition, it falls within the Weeks Bay Reserve’s Coastal Zone and Core Priority Area, as well as the Weeks Bay Project Acquisition Area. In the Mobile Bay National Estuarine Program’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, the Fish River Watershed, where the property is located, was listed as the highest priority watershed in coastal Alabama for restoration. The 2005 Baldwin County Wetland Conservation Plan also highlights the area where the Property lies as having wetlands to be considered for conservation
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: 		Williams Family Recent Appraisal? No
Project Planning/Design: Not Started Project Permitting
No Permits
Project will take   24  Months to Begin and an additional  36  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: The area is listed with the Mobile Bay NEP Comprehensive Coastal Management Plan as having “Prioritized Wetlands.” It is listed by the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Federally Approved Management Plan as a priority project area.
Project Feasibility and Likelihood of Success:
Leveraging/Complementary Projects:
I. Project Cost
Estimated Cost: $3,000,000.00 Maintenance/Operational Cost: $500,000.00
Nature of Cost: This would account for $300,000 for the upfront bulkhead restoration project and an additional $20,000/year for ten years. This is for ten years of additional restoration needs and associated operational costs Sources for Funding Costs: No current sources
Level of Confidence: Medium New business startup or expansion? No
Basis/Method of Estimation: Property value estimated through comparison. Maintenance costs through consultation with Dr. Sparks. Closing costs based on established fees from recent Foundation acquisitions.
Matching Funds Available:
No Matching Funds
Project Partners:
OrganizationInvolvementContactTitleEmailAddressPhone Number
Week Bay National Estuarine Research ReserveManagement Plan ConsultantL.G. AdamsReserve ManagerLG.Adams@dcnr.alabama.gov 11300 US Highway 98
Fairhope, AL  36532		 251-928-9792  
Mississippi State UniversityBulkhead Restoration ConsultantDr. Eric SparksCoastal Ecology Specialisteric.sparks@msstate.edu 1815 Popps Ferry Road
Biloxi, MS  39532		 228-546-1025  
J. Project Impact on Community
Community Need: Permanent protection of important estuarine wetland, freshwater wetlands, and upland habitat. Managed site for estuarine education, restoration, and research. The Property sits in a unique location with frontage on both Weeks Bay and Mobile Bay. Avoided Costs: If this property were developed, the Eastern side of the mouth of Weeks Bay would be more easily damaged during storms. There would be additional costs for maintaining the channel in and out of the bay
Indirect Benefits: Environmental education and outreach opportunities and increased awareness throughout the community. Continued high water quality levels in Weeks Bay, which also affect the ability of Weeks Bay to remain a thriving estuary system. Environmental Benefits: Habitat protection for numerous creatures including at least one species of concern, storm surge protection, flood protection, water quality protection.
Environmental Impacts: No negative environmental impacts Project Monitoring and Performance: The project’s success will be measured by acres of native habitat for aquatic and avian wildlife preserved in perpetuity.
K. Resource Benefit(s):
Benefit(s): Marine Mammals  |  Shellfish  |  Water Column  |  Birds  |  Terrestrial Wildlife   |  Sediment/Benthos  |  Reptiles/Amphibians  |  Shoreline  |  Fish  |  Vegetation  |  Air 
Benefit State- or
Federally-listed Species? 		Yes If so, list: Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) Species of Concern