Fairhope, Alabama. (fairhopetimes@att.net)
SEEKING HELP FROM COUNCIL
The city's Environmental Advisory Committee met twice recently to develop recommendations to the city council in time for next year's budget-cycle addressing many issues facing the city.
Various pollution/water-quality ones were discussed; but the most-pressing was thought to be the health hazard created by chronic Canada goose overpopulation at waterfront parks.
The long-standing issue flared up again last month when human-looking feces were noticed on Magnolia beach on June 6th, prompting speculation and numerous "viral" tv news reports and videos; but when tested later was found to be 80% of goose origins -- and the rest sea gulls and other animals (0% human).
(A close-up frame from the video taken by Elliot Gordon appears at right.)
At least two studies done in the last decade cited evidence of various infections in humans from pathogens after swimming at the beaches.
Runoff from inland homes, streets, and farms (cows, fertilizers, etc.) were also areas of concern in past studies.
OTHER ISSUES
Also discussed at this first meeting in June was the possible re-design of the "treatment pond" north of the main duck ponds so that it could handle (filter) higher volume before it goes into the bay. City engineer Jinright is working on a preliminary survey and elevations, members were told.
A re-design of the main ponds themselves is also possible, to direct more outflow north through the treatment pond; this could prove costly though, according to Public Works officials.
(The committee also discussed how to better communicate the real "facts" to the public, BP fine money distribution -- and voted to change its meeting time to later in the day (3PM) to accommodate members who had work conflicts.)
NO-FEEDING SIGNS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
After a lengthy discussion, committee members also recommended unanimously the city council put up signs in the duck pond area prohibiting the feeding of geese and other birds -- and explaining it is because of serious health hazards (feces/bacteria) to children/adults ... and the geese themselves who become domesticated and too dependent on humans.
Members conceded it would be a controversial step and enforcement would be problem; but the serious health issues are the overriding concern. One said just putting the signs up could reduce feeding (and feces) by 80%.
Still under discussion are other methods such as treating grass with a "food coloring" the geese find distasteful, mowing higher, and less watering and fertilizers to limit new-grass growth.
Apparently the geese prefer the young new shoots of grass over the older tougher ones.
(The Times has learned an experimental, flashing optical device designed specifically for Canada geese dispersal without harming them is to be tried as well)
OFFICIALS ATTEND NEXT MEETING
General superintendent Gilespie and Public Works director Fidler attended the committee's next monthly meeting in July -- to give requested progress reports and try to answer questions.
Gilespie told the committee plans are in the works to dig out city marina slips in Fly Creek: a private contractor will be hired to dig out the "spoils", put it in leakproof dumpsters and transport it to a landfill -- possibly the city's own C and D landfill.
(Sometimes the material can be "laid out" exposed to the sun for about a month to let uv rays neutralize contaminants.)
Contractors will also be responsible for "doing it right" and all the necessary testing and permitting required.
There are no current plans for dredging at the main pier marina at this time: that would be the joint responsibility of the city and Rick Gambino, the new restaurant/marina operator.
DUCK POND DRAINAGE ISSUES
Public works director Fidler then gave an update on the many issues facing the duck ponds and municipal beaches: She said the ponds are not functioning way they were designed ... to direct the outflow through the wetlands at the extreme northern end ... which should be filtering and treating the water before it discharges out into into the bay. Currently water is "spilling over dams" far short ... and going directly out into the bay over the beach, she said.
She said she had already met with city (contracted) engineer Trey Jinright (Jade Consulting) as requested by the committee at an earlier meeting, -- and he thought the wetland treatment pond on the north-end would need to be expanded at least (That pond was added for that purpose in about 1999).
But, because each pond is at a different elevation -- and the low point is near the middle-part (Northwest side) not at the far north end -- earthen berms or other devices may need to be constructed to make all water discharge through the northern treatment pond.
Fidler suggested the committee may want to recommend sufficient funding be put in next year's budget ("Beach fund") for the necessary surveys and engineering work: "How do we solve the elevation issues? We need a survey first ... won't be an inexpensive fix ... ."
Member Ron Allen, a former EPA official, called it a "serious issue" and said the council needed to "get it done' and start by funding the necessary surveys and studies -- and plan to implement solutions over the next 2 to 3 years.
By their next meeting, the committee asked Fidler to get back with Jinright for some rough cost estimates to do the surveying and engineering work -- plus some possible final solutions such as changing pond elevations (berms?), relocating storm drains from the bluff above, diverting natural springs, enlarging the treatment pond, and additional aeration.
The committee would then formulate its formal requests/recommendations to take directly to the mayor and council.
Since the mayor has already started composing next year's budget and time is running short, a special meeting could be called before the regularly scheduled one in August.
(Around $10K was one figure mentioned for preliminary work.)
SEEKING HELP FROM COUNCIL
 |
| Environmental Committee, June 2015 |
The city's Environmental Advisory Committee met twice recently to develop recommendations to the city council in time for next year's budget-cycle addressing many issues facing the city.
Various pollution/water-quality ones were discussed; but the most-pressing was thought to be the health hazard created by chronic Canada goose overpopulation at waterfront parks.
The long-standing issue flared up again last month when human-looking feces were noticed on Magnolia beach on June 6th, prompting speculation and numerous "viral" tv news reports and videos; but when tested later was found to be 80% of goose origins -- and the rest sea gulls and other animals (0% human).
 |
| Magnolia Beach evidence |
(A close-up frame from the video taken by Elliot Gordon appears at right.)
At least two studies done in the last decade cited evidence of various infections in humans from pathogens after swimming at the beaches.
Runoff from inland homes, streets, and farms (cows, fertilizers, etc.) were also areas of concern in past studies.
OTHER ISSUES
Also discussed at this first meeting in June was the possible re-design of the "treatment pond" north of the main duck ponds so that it could handle (filter) higher volume before it goes into the bay. City engineer Jinright is working on a preliminary survey and elevations, members were told.
 |
| Chairman Mike Shelton at right |
(The committee also discussed how to better communicate the real "facts" to the public, BP fine money distribution -- and voted to change its meeting time to later in the day (3PM) to accommodate members who had work conflicts.)
NO-FEEDING SIGNS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
After a lengthy discussion, committee members also recommended unanimously the city council put up signs in the duck pond area prohibiting the feeding of geese and other birds -- and explaining it is because of serious health hazards (feces/bacteria) to children/adults ... and the geese themselves who become domesticated and too dependent on humans.
 |
| Canada geese overpopulation |
Still under discussion are other methods such as treating grass with a "food coloring" the geese find distasteful, mowing higher, and less watering and fertilizers to limit new-grass growth.
Apparently the geese prefer the young new shoots of grass over the older tougher ones.
(The Times has learned an experimental, flashing optical device designed specifically for Canada geese dispersal without harming them is to be tried as well)
OFFICIALS ATTEND NEXT MEETING
 |
| Gilespie, July meeting |
Gilespie told the committee plans are in the works to dig out city marina slips in Fly Creek: a private contractor will be hired to dig out the "spoils", put it in leakproof dumpsters and transport it to a landfill -- possibly the city's own C and D landfill.
(Sometimes the material can be "laid out" exposed to the sun for about a month to let uv rays neutralize contaminants.)
Contractors will also be responsible for "doing it right" and all the necessary testing and permitting required.
There are no current plans for dredging at the main pier marina at this time: that would be the joint responsibility of the city and Rick Gambino, the new restaurant/marina operator.
DUCK POND DRAINAGE ISSUES
 |
| July meeting. Fidler at right |
She said she had already met with city (contracted) engineer Trey Jinright (Jade Consulting) as requested by the committee at an earlier meeting, -- and he thought the wetland treatment pond on the north-end would need to be expanded at least (That pond was added for that purpose in about 1999).
But, because each pond is at a different elevation -- and the low point is near the middle-part (Northwest side) not at the far north end -- earthen berms or other devices may need to be constructed to make all water discharge through the northern treatment pond.
Fidler suggested the committee may want to recommend sufficient funding be put in next year's budget ("Beach fund") for the necessary surveys and engineering work: "How do we solve the elevation issues? We need a survey first ... won't be an inexpensive fix ... ."
Member Ron Allen, a former EPA official, called it a "serious issue" and said the council needed to "get it done' and start by funding the necessary surveys and studies -- and plan to implement solutions over the next 2 to 3 years.
 |
| Gary Gover at right |
The committee would then formulate its formal requests/recommendations to take directly to the mayor and council.
Since the mayor has already started composing next year's budget and time is running short, a special meeting could be called before the regularly scheduled one in August.
(Around $10K was one figure mentioned for preliminary work.)
 |
| ponds drain over beach now |
 |
| July environmental committee |
Comments
I have no doubt they test something but they didn't test a piece of that.
Why does the mayor hate waterfowl and not the developers that are ruining our bay?
God bless America we sure need it.