DAPHNE, Ala.—The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program has released a Request for Qualifications in preparation for selecting an environmental or engineering planning firm to develop a Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the watersheds of D’Olive Creek, Tiawasee Creek and Joe’s Branch in Baldwin County.

The objectives of this plan are to: reduce upstream sediment inputs into D’Olive Bay, Lake Forest Lake, the D’Olive/Tiawasee Creek system; remediate and restore past effects of these sediment loads; reduce outgoing sediment loads into D’Olive Bay and the Mobile Bay Estuary; and identify opportunities to mitigate future impacts of development in the watersheds where feasible.

Growth and development in an approximately 15-square-mile area in the D’Olive Creek, Tiawasee Creek, Joe’s Branch and Yancey Branch watersheds encompassing Daphne, Spanish Fort and associated unincorporated areas of Baldwin County on the Eastern Shore has intensified problems with nonpoint source polluted runoff.  Increased volume and velocity of storm water runoff as well as changes to local drainage patterns, have exacerbated erosion, sediment and other nonpoint source pollutant impacts to D’Olive Bay and its tributaries, and the lake located within the Lake Forest subdivision.

Although problems associated with increased erosion, sedimentation, flooding and other non-point source pollution are of long standing, local leaders have joined forces to study the situation, develop appropriate data and create a plan of action aimed at satisfying broad environmental needs as well as addressing local concerns.

Funding for developing the plan is being provided by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the cities of Daphne and Spanish Fort, the Lake Forest Property Owners Association and other organizations and interests. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Geological Survey funded studies and were instrumental in obtaining new data upon which to base planning activities. 

The firm selected must be able to develop a concept that maximizes public benefit by improving water quality, lessening erosion and accelerated sedimentation into certain waters of the United States while preserving a lake that exists as an amenity on private property.

The most current RFQ document is available at www.mobilebaynep.com. A pre-submittal conference will be held on Dec. 15 and Statements of Qualifications are due by Feb. 15.

Potential respondents interested in this RFQ should contact the estuary program and request placement on the RFQ mailing list to ensure receipt of amendments and other relevant information.

Inquiries should be directed to Roberta Swann at rswann@mobilebaynep.com or by phone, 431-6409.