HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THESE WATERS
Folks across Coastal Alabama spoke up about flooding, sewage spills, disappearing wetlands, muddy runoff, and growth happening faster than infrastructure can keep up.
Over the past year, Baykeeper listened to what communities were experiencing and worked with residents, scientists, community leaders, and others to develop a Smart Growth Policy Blueprint focused on healthier waterways, stronger infrastructure, and protecting the quality of life that makes this place special. Again and again, we heard the same thing.
Most folks aren’t asking growth to stop. They’re asking for it to make sense.
Growth is not the problem. Growth without better rules, stronger infrastructure, and protections for our waterways is.
Because ordinary folks deserve a voice in what happens to the place they call home.
Help shape the future of these waters
Folks across Coastal Alabama spoke up about flooding, sewage spills, disappearing wetlands, muddy runoff, and growth happening faster than infrastructure can keep up.
Over the past year, Baykeeper listened to what communities were experiencing and worked with residents, scientists, community leaders, and others to develop a Smart Growth Policy Blueprint focused on healthier waterways, stronger infrastructure, and protecting the quality of life that makes this place special. Again and again, we heard the same thing.
Most folks aren’t asking growth to stop. They’re asking for it to make sense.
Growth is not the problem. Growth without better rules, stronger infrastructure, and protections for our waterways is.
Because ordinary folks deserve a voice in what happens to the place they call home.
The Path Forward
What the communities are asking for
If Baldwin County is going to keep growing, it has to do it in a way that protects the water we all depend on.
01
Infastructure that keeps up
New development should not move forward unless sewer systems, drainage infrastructure, and stormwater systems can support it. Communities should not be left dealing with flooding and sewage spills after the fact.
02
Stormwater under control
Muddy runoff, stormwater pollution, and unchecked construction runoff are impacting creeks, rivers, wetlands, and Mobile Bay. Better stormwater protections and smarter site planning can help keep pollution out of our waters before it becomes somebody else’s problem downstream.
03
Protect wetlands, buffers, and natural flood protection
Wetlands and natural buffers absorb floodwaters, filter pollution, and protect communities during heavy rain. Once they are gone, communities lose one of the strongest natural defenses they have against flooding and water pollution.
04
Smarter land use
Build the same number of homes on a smaller footprint: cluster development, cut impervious pavement, and keep large blocks of open space and farmland intact instead of paving them over.
05
efficient, objective permitting
Communities and developers both benefit from clear, consistent expectations. Strong baseline protections create fairness, accountability, and a clearer path forward for responsible growth.
06
Enact Responsible Protections from Data Centers and Energy Projects
A single data center can use millions of gallons of water a day, drawn from the same aquifers our homes and farms depend on. Make data centers and large energy projects prove their impact and build on already-disturbed land — not our working farms, forests, and wetlands.
Tracking Progress Towards Smart Growth
Baldwin County residents have been clear about what needs to change. Now we’re tracking whether local leaders turn those demands into action.
The scorecard shows what has not started, what is moving forward, and what has been completed. We’ll update it as Baldwin County acts on the community’s Smart Growth Policy Blueprint, so you can see where progress is being made and where pressure is still needed.
Take Action
Progress doesn’t happen because a plan exists. It happens when the community keeps asking for it.
Local leaders need to hear from the people living with these issues every day.
Communities across Coastal Alabama are speaking up for healthier waterways, stronger infrastructure, and growth that actually makes sense.
Send a message to your commissioner and let them know you support Smart Growth regulations that protect our waterways, strengthen infrastructure, and preserve the quality of life that makes Coastal Alabama special.
This work only happens because people like you step up
Baykeeper is bringing communities, scientists, local leaders, anglers, oyster farmers, shrimpers, and residents together around healthier waterways, smarter growth, and stronger infrastructure for Coastal Alabama.
Your support helps fuel the science, organizing, restoration, and community action needed to protect the waters and communities that connect us.
This work only happens because people like you step up
Baykeeper is bringing communities, scientists, local leaders, anglers, oyster farmers, shrimpers, and residents together around healthier waterways, smarter growth, and stronger infrastructure for Coastal Alabama.
Your support helps fuel the science, organizing, restoration, and community action needed to protect the waters and communities that connect us.
Read the Full Smart Growth Policy Blueprint
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