Projects in Southeast Receive Five Star Restoration Grants - Two in Alabama
ATLANTA June 20, 20011 – Seven new wetland, riparian and coastal conservation grants awarded through the Five Star Restoration program were announced today in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi by Southern Company and its environmental stewardship partners.
Five Star Restoration is a national program providing financial and technical support for water-related conservation. Southern Company serves as the Southern region lead corporate sponsor, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Association of Counties and the Wildlife Habitat Council.
Southern Company this year is providing $190,704 in grants that, combined with partner matching funds, will result in a total of $503,543 to help restore 33.54 wetland acres and 6,050 feet of riparian buffer across the four states in which the company’s retail business operates.
The following projects in Alabama have been awarded Five Star Restoration grants for 2011:
Prichard Reading Park Stream Bank Restoration
Recipient: Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium
To restore 350 feet of urban stream to its natural function by restoring aquatic and terrestrial habitat, which will reduce sediment loading, turbidity and nutrient enrichment in Eight Mile and Chickasaw Creeks in Prichard, Ala. This site will serve to showcase environmentally appropriate technologies for managing riparian buffer areas in an urban setting. It also will provide education, citizen involvement and capacity development opportunities to a grassroots citizens group as a pilot project for future community urban environmental efforts. Partners include the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Mobile County Soil and Water Conservation District, Coastal Alabama Clean Water Partnership, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Prichard Environmental Restorative Keepers (PERK), City of Prichard, Mobile Baykeeper and Auburn University.
Restoring Stream Functions in Holland Creek
Recipient: Auburn University
To stabilize stream banks along 500 feet of Holland Creek, an impaired stream near the mouth of the Chattahoochee River in Phenix City, Ala., where extreme erosion has increased turbidity, decreased water and habitat quality and exposed sewer infrastructure. In-stream structures will be installed to help redistribute flow, dissipate energy, reduce velocities that scour stream banks and create scour pools to increase habitat diversity. Invasive plants will be removed and sanitary sewer manholes relocated to minimize overflow events. This highly visible site will be used to foster citizen environmental stewardship through tours, workshops and training over the course of this two-year effort. Partners include Auburn University, Alabama Clean Water Partnership, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, City of Phenix City, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc. and the Mill Creek Watershed Project.
