Title
A Resolution in Support of State Funding Assistance for The Baldwin County Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Boat Launch Project
Body
WHEREAS, boating, fishing, and recreational watersports have long been a large component of recreation for Baldwin County residents as well as being a major draw for the Alabama Gulf Coast with significant economic impact for the coastal communities in Baldwin County; and
WHEREAS, as the population of the region has grown and continues to grow, the southern part of Baldwin County is experiencing increased demand to the existing public boat launch facilities for access to the Bon Secour Bay, Mobile Bay, Wolf Bay, Perdido Bay and the Gulf of Mexico through the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; and
WHEREAS, as the public boat launches are overwhelmed and currently do not provide the infrastructure necessary to safely accommodate boaters, addressing those pressures is a priority to the Baldwin County Commission and the coastal communities in the county; and
WHEREAS, the Baldwin County ICW Project is for the purchase of 45 acres of property on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, adjacent and east of the Foley Beach Express Bridge in Orange Beach, Alabama, and is designed to accommodate the construction of 14 boat launches, 8 fishing piers, 8 staging piers, 12 small picnic gazebos, wharf area, restroom facilities and parking for over 450 vehicles, with space available to accommodate additional amenities in potential future phases; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project will ensure protection of adjacent resources, give the region greater visibility and managed attention toward the importance of clean water issues, watershed stewardship and resiliency, provide for safe public boat launch and recovery, accommodate future growth, and provide public access to additional recreational activities at this facility as well as opportunities for local outdoors enthusiasts to create additional eco-tourism businesses, recreational charter and guide services and other services alike; and
WHEREAS, the Baldwin County Commission, during its regularly scheduled meeting held on October 2, 2018, authorized the execution of the purchase and sale agreement for the 45 acres of property on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and committed to investing $7.5 million dollars to acquire said property; and
WHEREAS, the Baldwin County Commission will move forward with this project through the use of pending GOMESA (offshore oil and gas revenue) disbursements expected to be received by the County from the U. S. Department of the Interior and it is the County’s position that the use of GOMESA funds is an appropriate alternative to help with water access facilities for our citizens and visitors alike; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of The City of Foley, Alabama, hereby strongly supports and urges the Honorable Kay Ivey, Governor, and the State of Alabama to support this project by allocating $10 million of the State of Alabama’s GOMESA funds to assist in bringing the Baldwin County Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Boat Launch Project to completion; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be conveyed to the Honorable Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama, respectfully requesting the State’s assistance for this project.