Little Lagoon Restoration Project

The City of Gulf Shores has been awarded $5.9M in RESTORE funding to work in partnership with ADCNR, Auburn University, the University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and Mississippi State University to implement programs that improve water quality, increase and enhance habitat area, and improve ecological productivity. The five-year project will have secondary beneficial impacts to the region including more resilient and sustainable infrastructure, and increased recreational and ecotourism opportunities.

Specific programs will include living shorelines, improved hydrologic connectivity of the existing canal system, conversion of approximately 200 individual septic systems to municipal sewer, shellfish restoration programs, marsh and seagrass restoration, hydrodynamic modeling, ecological research and long-term water quality monitoring.

Objectives of this project will include:

• The construction of approximately 1000 feet of living shorelines and shoreline habitat.
• Improvements to the hydrology of the existing canal system.
• The connection of approximately 200 individual septic systems to city sewer.
• The establishment of an oyster restoration program.
• Marsh and seagrass bed restoration.
• Hydrodynamic modeling of Little Lagoon.
• Ecological research and long-term monitoring by university partners
• The project team will also work with local community groups including the Little Lagoon Preservation Society and Gulf Shores High School’s Sustainability Academy to develop opportunities for volunteer involvement, and public outreach/education.

These objectives will be accomplished through the implementation of seven discrete programs: 

• Shellfish Restoration Program - Auburn University
•  Septic to Sewer Conversion Program - City of Gulf Shores
• Shoreline Restoration Program - Mississippi State University
• Living Shoreline Projects - City of Gulf Shores
•  Hydrologic Connectivity Program - City of Gulf Shores
• Hydrodynamic Modeling/Monitoring - University of South Alabama 
• Seagrass Restoration Program - Dauphin Island Sea Lab

As the sole sub-recipient of the Grant Funding, the  City of Gulf Shores will administer funding and provide oversight to the sub-awardees throughout the duration of the project. The City will act as the overall program manager for the seven individual components, and will procure professional services, including planning, costing, survey, geotechnical, engineering, environmental, permitting, inspections, and grant administration services as needed. The project team will also work with local community groups including the Little Lagoon Preservation Society and Gulf Shores High School’s Sustainability Academy to develop opportunities for volunteer involvement and public outreach/education.

Questions?

For more information concerning this project, please contact Dan Bond, Environmental/Grants Coordinator, at (251) 968-1124.