Steering Committee 3 September 17, 2015 5:30-7:30pm Welcome DOG RIVER www.makingwatershedswork.org
Agenda 1. Welcome 2. Scientific Research: Water Quality 3. Current and Relevant Planning 4. Community Engagement Process 5. General Discussion Current and Relevant Planning DOG RIVER www.makingwatershedswork.org
Document Review 1. Twelve total plans 2. Several are ongoing 3. Looking for relevancy: Policy direction Engagement opportunities 1. Map for Mobile, Comprehensive Plan 2. Mobile Peninsula Corridor Master Plan 3. Mobile Greenway Initiative 4. HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative 5. The Peninsula Plan Heart of the Parkway 6. Dog River Clearwater Revival 7. Evaluating Gains in Ecosystem Services with Coastal Restoration Project Part 1: Monitoring Restoration Activities 8. Dog River Scenic Blueway Master Plan 9. Mobile Bay Sub-Estuary Monitoring Program Report: Dog River Sub-Estuary 10. Dog River Alabama Water Watch 11. Dog River Watershed Management Plan 12. A Survey of the Dog River Watershed: Second Year Findings 1. Map for Mobile: Comprehensive Plan (Ongoing) Advisory Group, public, staff, consultant Framework for growth, comprehensive view of city Will address land use and development policies and provide the basis for updated development regulations
2. Mobile Peninsula Corridor Master Plan (Ongoing) Peninsula of Mobile Group Designing improvements to the corridor, Investigating low-impact development standards and creating form-based recommendations. Developing low-impact development standards and identifying locations for site improvements. 3. Mobile Greenway Initiative (Ongoing) Mobile Bay Keepers Install interconnected paths, trails neighborhoods and communities to parks and waterways Increased awareness and appreciation of assets.
4. HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (ongoing) Mobile Housing Board (Staff, consultants with significant public involvement) Helping to transform neighborhoods by revitalizing housing and investing in education and employment opportunities No specific recommendations yet 5. The Peninsula Plan Heart of the Parkway (completed 2015) ALDOT (Staff) Trail construction and extensions, plus creating a blueway for increased recreational opportunities Promote stewardship and awareness
6. Dog River Clearwater Revival (completed July 2015) Dog River Clearwater Revival Actively cleaning the Dog River Sub-Estuary Reduce litter, test water quality, educate youth and increase volunteers to promote health of watershed 7. Evaluating Gains in Ecosystem Services with Coastal Restoration (completed Sept. 2014) Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Studying the restoration of fringe coastal communities Stabilizing shoreline and restoring grass marsh at Helen Wood Park
8. Dog River Scenic Blueway Master Plan (completed Sept. 2011) Dog River Clearwater Revival Creating a blueway for increased recreational opportunities How will it improve the Dog River Watershed? Promote stewardship and awareness within the watershed 9. Mobile Bay Sub-Estuary Monitoring Program Report: Dog River (completed Dec. 2008) Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Studying the restoration of fringe coastal communities Stabilizing shoreline and restoring grass marsh along Dog River
10. Dog River Alabama Water Watch (completed Aug. 2004) Alabama Water Watch Association Raising public awareness through water quality monitoring programs Raise awareness of the conditions to minimize future human impact (litter) 11. Dog River Watershed Management Plan (completed Dec. 2000) Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources Reducing pollution and promoting involvement and awareness Stricter development guidelines and protection of riparian habitats within the watershed will improve its health
12. A Survey of the Dog River Watershed: Second Year Findings (completed Nov. 1995) Alabama Dept. of Environmental Management Studying current conditions of streambed, erosion and ecosystem Creating an action plan to improve aquatic life and water quality What s Missing? 1. Are there plans not included in this list? 2. Other organizations we are not aware of? 3. Have the completed plans been successful in their initiatives?
Discuss Implications Community Engagement Process DOG RIVER www.makingwatershedswork.org
Engagement Strategy Phase 1 1. Geographic (door to door) 2. Topic (small groups) 3. Online Geographic Three Locations: 1. Airport and Government Blvds. 2. Neighborhood 1: Harrison Family Tract 3. Area Neighborhood 2: Southeast of Mobile Airport
Topic Three Groups: 1. Recreational Users 2. Builders/Developers/ Architects 3. Youth/Educators
Online Project Website: 1. Collect Input on Critical Questions 2. Make Educational Material Available