FAQs

What is the Upper Mobile Bay Beneficial Use Wetland Creation Site Project?

The Upper Mobile Bay Beneficial Use Wetland Creation Site (Planning) Project (hereafter referred to as “the Project”) provides planning for the creation of approximately 1,200 acres of wetlands in the Upper Mobile Bay south of the US Highway 90/98 causeway through the beneficial use of dredged sediments.

In 2026, the RESTORE Council approved an additional $24 million allocation to the project, which will fund its first phase of construction.

Who is overseeing the Project, and how is it funded?  

The $2.5 million planning Project is funded by the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf States Act (RESTORE Act)-Bucket 2. It is a Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council-approved project, sponsored and directed by the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA).    

All activities will be regulated under a US Army Corps of Engineers individual permit.  This permitting process includes extensive coordination with multiple federal and state regulatory agencies, including the EPA, NOAA, USFWS, ADEM, and ADCNR. 

Why is the project necessary and how will the public benefit?

Utilizing dredged sediment to create wetlands is a wise use of this valuable Alabama natural resource. Benefits resulting from this wetland creation project will include improved water quality and more habitat for living coastal and marine organisms. The implementation of improved dredging practices also supports navigation-related industries and Alabama’s economy.

Specifically, the benefits include:

  • Increased nursery habitat where shrimp, crabs, mullet, trout, and other finfish species will breed and grow

  • Increases in future natural resources including sport fishing and other opportunities for people to recreate

  • Increases in submerged aquatic vegetation habitat

  • Wise environmental stewardship practices that put to good use the beneficial, nutrient-rich dredge material that would otherwise be lost from the Upper Mobile Bay system

  • A reduction in sedimentation and an increase in dissolved oxygen

  • Reduced damage resulting from storm surge

  • Reduced wave action and erosion within the area

  • Lessened state and federal taxpayer cost burden

What is the Project objective?

To develop plans for and construct wetlands through the beneficial use of dredged sediments — reducing maintenance costs, and restoring critical habitat in Mobile Bay.

Shouldn’t the APA pay for this project since the Port will benefit from it?

Under the RESTORE Act, funding dollars are available for programs, projects, and activities that restore and protect the environment and the economy of the Gulf Coast region. This Project will restore fisheries and wildlife habitat while enhancing the economy of the region.

The APA is contributing program management and grant administration resources to deliver the project and oversee its implementation.

The project reduces the overall cost of dredging and dredge material management to ensure safe navigation of all commercial vessels using the berths at the Port of Mobile.

Will my family and I be able to use the Upper Mobile Bay area for recreation?  

For safety, citizens will not be able to access the wetland creation area during construction.

However, when the habitat is established, the wetland area will be open to the public for recreation.

What will I see once the project is complete?

As the created wetland grows and becomes established, people should see increased wildlife as well as reduced wave action and erosion.

What resources will be affected by this project (e.g. natural, cultural)?  

A thorough evaluation was completed to avoid and minimize interaction with cultural resources. Natural resources are meant to be enhanced by the Project; thus, existing submerged aquatic vegetation areas will be avoided. It is anticipated that the soft-bottom mud habitat will be affected by the footprint of the Project. However, the creation of the highly productive wetland habitats will replace the soft-bottom mud habitats, which will maximize the environmental net benefit of the Project.

Where can I learn more?

More information is available at www.UpperMoBayWetlands.com. You can also reach out to the Project team directly by emailing UpperMoBayWetlands@alports.com.

What is the timeline for the Project?

Planning activities are expected to be complete by the end of 2021. Members of the Project team, who include local coastal engineers and scientists, will perform investigations, studies, and engineering design work for meeting all federal and state compliance requirements. Work to define the exact location of the wetland site and identify sources of material for construction of the wetland will take place during the latter part of the year. As part of the planning process, a construction permit application will be filed with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Is the Project associated with the Mobile Harbor Deepening and Widening Project?

No. the Upper Mobile Bay Beneficial Use Wetlands Creation Site Project is a separate and distinct effort.

Once the Project planning activities and design work are complete, when will construction begin?

In 2026, the RESTORE Council approved an additional $24 million allocation to the project, which will fund its first phase of construction.

This project, which is expected to begin construction in early 2027, will build out the first 100 acres of wetlands. An additional 1,100 acres of wetlands will be created over the next 10 to 20 years.

Where will the wetland construction sediment come from?

Dredged materials will come from the public seaport terminal berths and be placed within the identified wetland creation area. Sediment will be tested to ensure the material is safe for wetland creation before placement.

What am I likely to see during the planning, design, and construction phases of the Project? Will my activities in upper Mobile Bay be affected?

Most citizens will not see or be impacted by the planning and design work associated with the Project. Nor will people see a great amount of activity during anticipated construction as work to create the wetlands will occur in the Bay about 1.5 to 2.5 miles south of the Causeway (Hwy 90/98) and I-10.  

During construction, individuals may see equipment on the horizon of the Bay and a dredge pipeline transporting the material to the beneficial use wetland creation site.