Dauphin Island Levee Controversy

Hurricane Hurricane Gustav Protecting Dauphin Island when hurricanes hit there's a new plan buzzing around town.

by Diana Lucio

Published: Tue, May 05, 2009 - 10:02 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, May 06, 2009 - 11:49 am CST

Could a levee be the answer to Dauphin Island's erosion problems?
FEMA is considering that question and it may even give island officials money to build the levee. Mayor Jeff Collier says the levee would be constructed right along the south side of Bienville Boulevard.

FEMA decided against rebuilding a two year old berm that got washed out during Gustav.
Collier says it is still too early to determine a cost for the proposed levee, but some homeowners are already giving the idea a thumbs down.
"What this levee will do is...it's a 7 foot high wall of sand and it's going to cover the access to all of the road access and there will be no way to get to the properties in the event of emergencies, service of utilities or anything like that,"Said Gary Bratt, a homeowner.
"A lot of this is just talk at this particular point. This is not the only item on the table, hopefully, that we can look to some other ways as well to try to find some alternatives to this alternative,"Said Mayor Collier.

Island leaders are inviting everyone to voice their concerns at a town hall meeting May 13th.
The meeting will begin at 6pm at the Catholic Parish Hall.

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ickthus Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 7:50 pm

Everything west of the old public pier, where the island gets narrow, should be removed. Buy the people out and Return it to nature. Let it becomes part of the gulf islands parks. It is going to happen anyway. Just a matter of time.

SamRock Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 10:17 am

Jetties serve the east end well. Probably too much rip-rap for the west end. Maybe spaced apart strategically would help a lot better than a berm or levee.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 10:15 am

They are going to bulldoze a bait shop and build a pier on the mainland.

cmb1 Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 9:56 am

What a they going to do about the DI pier? LOL I know it is part of MObile County but lets put our money somewhere else and let the people who choose to live there pay for it! Hurricanes a way of life.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 7:53 am

Barrier islands move and re-build themselves constantly. Part of Mother Natures plan and when man messes around with it the results are never good.

I think the eastern part of the island is on some type of geological foundation that gives it some permanence, but the west end is just the typical shifting sands.

Wait4Me Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 7:47 am

The island is continuously shifting as with the Miss. River, who are we to try and out-wit mother nature. Let them continue to try stopping it if they want to live there.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 7:22 am

Barrier islands serve a purpose, but there is no way to stop the shifting sands. Maybe these people should get houseboats and go with the flow.

Wait4Me Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 7:17 am

I agree, let the winds and tides take out the houses and DONT let anyone rebuild on that spot. Eventually we could have a very nice park for ALL to enjoy. All you islanders need to quite whining you moved there, you knew the pros and cons, you were willing to pay for the insurance. We tax payers are tired of you money-pit island.

cmb1 Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 7:14 am

Dauphin Island quit putting money into it, the next hurricane will just destroy it again. DUH!