The Board of the Property Owners Association on Dauphin Island resolved in September that it was willing to afford public access to the beaches on Dauphin Island and to transfer property to public control as part of any concerted effort to restore the Dauphin Island coastline.

In concrete terms, this would mean the opening of three and a half miles of west end beaches to the public, and the permanent dedication of the east end golf course property (over 180 acres and a mile of beach) to public recreational purposes. It would entail public financial support for acquiring the east end property and for restoring the beaches.

This direction presents Alabama with a unique opportunity to protect a major portion of its very limited coastline and to make that coastline a recreational resource for all its citizens, not just a few.

Discussions with local and state officials and leaders have already been encouraging with regard to finding resources for acquisition of the east end property.

A project of coastal restoration, however, is complicated by the longstanding litigation with the Corps of Engineers. As you know, this involves the effect of the offshore disposal of dredged sand on the natural westward flow of sand that historically replenishes the island shoreline. That litigation, though subject to a possible “settlement,” is likely to drag on for quite some time over the issues of both the Corps’ responsibility and the extent of an appropriate remedy. It is not clear that this formal fault-finding process is the most advantageous route for any of the parties. Certainly the attendant delays are not.

The Katrina disaster presents an historic opportunity to recast Dauphin Island as a coastal and recreational asset that benefits the entire state. By its recent resolution, the property owners have shown their willingness to give their efforts and resources to the pursuit of that goal. Parallel efforts by the state and federal governments could truly result in enormous public benefits to Alabama.

We hope to move forward together, and welcome the opportunity to pursue this matter further.

Very truly yours,

John Wilson Reed
President
jwreed@bellsouth.net