ALABAMA STATE SENATE ALABAMA STATE HOUSE 11 SOUTH UNION STREET, 7TH FLOOR MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 26130-4600 BILL HIGHTOWER, comurress: State Sensi itt 25 ioe Char Banking & surance 1 South Union Set, Sut 738 sb Graton & Econamie Development ‘Montgomery Aibara 36130 ‘Commerce, Transporation & ilios ‘Tolophone: (354) 2027882 oea Legion, Ne. 3 Fax (836) 3598777 nal: ithighiower@ aerate gov July 31, 2014 The Honorable Robert Bentley Alabama State Capitol 600 Dexter Avenue, Room N-104 Montgomery, Alabama 36130 Dear Governor, Thank you for your continued help with the issues surrounding the waterway’ of Alabama; especially those in the Mobile, Dauphin Island, Coden and Bayou La Batre area. I was delighted to hear of your willingness to help with the Dauphin Island channel, which is important to the island’s prosperity associated with ‘commercial and sport fishermen, but also the Bar Pilots. Mayor Jeff Collier and Commissioner Jerry Carl, both send their thanks for your attention to this. ‘A few months ago, right before David’s transition out as Chief of Staff, I contacted him about other critical ‘waterways, which remain unfunded by the Corps. The project types I submitted are usually only dealt with whenever there are recovery funds from the federal level, following a hurricane. The care of these ‘waterways, although low in tonnage (which is how the Corps prioritizes), is critical to our commerce. ‘The highest priority project, among my list, was the dredging of Fowl River, located on Mobile Bay. It s un-dredged and is in significant need of attention. The depth is now at approximately 3 feet at its mouth; it is authorized to 8 feet. It is important to the region for commerce in the following ways: Economic Impact: 1. There has been a thriving shrimping business at the mouth of Fowl River for decades. The Russell Steiner operation is on the North Shore and generated $1,300,000 annually at its peak, along with the people employed on the boats, when the channel was at its proper depth. (6 boatsx90 daysx1000 Ibs x $4/lb). The 3 foot depth no longer allows the large shrimp boats to dock and unload their catch. 2. The Haas Marina on the South shore (Mon Louis Island) held 4 boats for a total of $900,000 annually using the same formula. 3. Fowl River Marina provides fuel, dockage, food and bait for many large recreational and commercial vessels. Many can no longer make it though the channel. This has affected revenue by at Teast $130,000.4. Fowl River Marine Services is losing business today as boats can't make it to the repair facility due to channel depth of'3 feet. The owner repairs and services large boats. The economic value is approximately $250,000 annually. 5. Fowl River Marina Fishing Charter charters fishing boats throughout the year. If these boats can't operate, losses are expected at SS8N08® per year. 6. Silver Ships, a major manufacturer of boats in the area, is encountering problems in launching their ‘vessels for clients. This happens particularly in the winter when the average tides are lower. This business would lose $$4@88 per year as they would have to transport all their vessels elsewhere for testing. The depth jon also affects the ability to expand the business. (Employees @&, S@™mil. in Revenue). 7. Zirlott Seafood represents SHEIIIRN in seafood business and relies on the Fowl River channel for their boats. Dredging the channel would eliminate their hitting bottom and enable them to expand their business by increasing the capacity of boats they can accommodate (Present Employees 12). In the 1950s/60's the family had a thriving boat building business, which is now closed due to channel depth. 8. Five other Seafood fishing operations in West Fowl River represent another $100,000 each for a total of $500,000 in potential lost revenue due to the channel not being able to accommodate seafood boats. Other Impact: 1. The Mobile City Fire Boat is used on significant fires in the Fowl River area. Presently itis ‘unable to navigate up river. This is critical because land-based fire hydrants are not plentiful along the river properties and this boat is considered to be a key element in fire control. The boat can provide an endless supply of water for the homes and businesses, in case of fire. 2. The lack of a navigable waterway has an affect upon property values on Fowl River, as people will not be able to take their larger boats, or any sailboats, into Mobile Bay. This relates to diminished quality of life for these residents as their larger vessels are land-locked due to the shallow draft. 3. At one time there was a Bellingrath Gardens tour boat on which tourists could take dinner cruises. This has been discontinued a few years ago due to the shallow depth of the river. 4, Bridges that span this river are utilized for commerce, tourism, and evacuation. They are a primary evacuation route for Dauphin Island, Coden and South Mobile County. To perform ‘work on these bridges, barges must be able to navigate the waterway and this is hindered at its present 3 foot depth. Additionally, there are issues with marine law enforcement, Coast Guard and Homeland security not being able to traverse the channel. Fowl River is utilized for disaster response/ferry service to Dauphin Island ifthe bridge is out of service due to hurricane or barge accident. This would not be possible if the river is not navigable. 5. Financial loss of recreational fishing will occur if the fishermen based in Fowl River, approximately 125 families, can't access the Bay or Gulf. 6. Barges cannot get in now to transport materials for valuable coastal restoration work. ‘Additionally, barges may not be able navigate the waterway for private dock building and dock repair work along the river. In this document I have attempted to outline the significant impact this waterway has upon our region. I asked the community to help me with assessment as they are feeling the impact of not having a cleared ‘waterway and are concerned about the businesses along the river. Unlike other surrounding waterways, Fowl River has less outward water flow velocity, so it has a tendency to fill more quickly. But because it is the ‘most Southern water inlet available to the population of boats that operate around the Southwestern area of Mobile Bay and Dauphin Islang, it is critical to the region for the reason above,The last time this waterway was dredged was in 2009. The Corps tells me it is on a2 year cycle for dredging, so it has been 5 years. I have contacted the Corp of Engineers (SSalmmallumg) and they have given me an estimated cost of $2.6 mil. for this project. With the work the Corps is already performing on Dauphin Island, Coden, and Bayou La Batre, the potential Fowl River work could take place in concert with these other projects, which would save money for the state, This is because it would not require dredge ‘equipment to be moved from a significant distance. Thope I have convinced you toward this project, and I am available to answer further questions if you need. ‘Thank you for your service and consideration of this request. Regards, Bill Hightower (CC: Derrick Troter Jon Barganier ‘Terry Carl, Mobile County Commissioner