ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — “This is not a new idea,” Mayor Pete Blalock said at the called meeting at Orange Beach Adult Activity Center Monday. “Since Hurricane Frederick, and after Hurricane Ivan, we’ve explored possibilities for a launch facility.” 

Wetlands and the sandbar created by Ivan have been obstacles to choosing a definite site. The increase in boat traffic over recent years has put a heavy traffic load on Cotton Bayou and Bayou Point. The city wants to provide for boaters who do not own suitable launch and slip facilities . The coast belongs to all of the citizens of Alabama, and providing for them while protecting the local residents and the natural environment is a challenge.

“That’s who we are and what we do,” Blalock said. 

The urgency of getting on with the project was expressed by Gene Myers of Paradise Marina, located on Highway 59 at County Road 8.

“Access to water is a vanishing thing,” Myers said.

The Council was in agreement on two main considerations — providing and protecting. The new site must do both. Safety is already an issue as the existing launching areas lack “no wake” areas. It’s a matter of time before serious accidents occur. The new site will have a no wake zone and will be attended by official personnel. Their presence will reduce violations of water safety. The city has no jurisdiction on state properties, but wishes to exert influences on the treatment of state facilities. 

At the outset, Phillip West, manager of Coastal Resources, delivered a comprehensive overview of the proposed project. It will be located off Highway 182 on some five acres that belongs to the state. The launch area has depth, flow and flush related to accessing the Gulf. The facility area will have 112 vehicle parking places (a reduction of the 175 originally proposed) with pervious paving. The landscaping will feature native dune vegetation, and there will be a pavilion. West pointed out the displayed location and facility graphics as he talked. 

West covered the obvious questions in the overall approach: The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab have indicated that the water quality will not be affected, and that the flushing compares favorably with Bird and Robinson islands; traffic along Highway 182 was studied on Labor Day by Carr/Burgess Traffic Analysts, and they concluded that there is no significant traffic generation to affect the launching area. There are no indications at this time that the beach mouse population will be affected. 

Concerns that the new facility’s proximity to Florida might entice a caravan of boats to come for launching was answered by Blalock: “There will be boats coming from Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and other states also, and we’ll accommodate them within our capacity. That’s what we do.”

Blalock responded favorably to the suggestion that non-Alabama boats might be charged a meaningful fee to offset the operational costs. Councilman Jeff Silvers said that safety is a council priority, and he welcomes shifting launching to the new site to protect boaters from the dangers of crossing Highway 161. Councilwoman Tracy Holliday said that normally she has voted against the encroachment on pristine areas, but in this instance she sees how this project is going to make a positive contribution to the whole coast. 

Myers, of Paradise Marina, is very protective of the environment . He dislikes abuse and littering.

“What was the name of that lady who said that we need to get our children out there on the water and teach them the value of respect and care for it?” he asked. “She was right. When I go up to Alaska I don’t see littering, because they have awe and respect for the environment. It’s learned behavior.” 

He believes the coast belongs to all and all have responsibility. He praised the OB Council and city government for their dedication to providing and protecting.