ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – A proposed boat launch on Old River that caused a controversy in 2007 is again being discussed in Orange Beach.

“We’re trying our best to maintain a degree of civility,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “It got pretty ugly last time.”

At a City Council work session citizens spoke out about parking problems at the state’s Cotton Bayou launch near the intersection of Alabama 161 and Alabama 182 (beach road) in Orange Beach. Cotton Bayou residents say the heavy boat and personal watercraft traffic is becoming increasingly dangerous in their “front yards.”

The relief could come in the old proposal for a boat launch on Old River just east of the Caribe resort. Resident Tem Blalock said the state-owned property has been approved for a launch since 1979, but opposition from Ono Island residents has prevented its construction.

The latest effort in 2007 was nixed by then-Gov. Bob Riley and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“There was a big uproar from folks that felt they were going to be negatively affected,” Kennon said.

Tuesday, Council members Bret Holk and Pattisue Simpson were asked why they refused to sign a letter of support sent to the ADCNR from the city. Both said they didn’t have enough information about the launch.

Kennon said the city needs to present a united front in the effort to get the launch on Old River built.

The launch is currently on the city’s wish list as part of the National Resource Damage Assessment grants through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.