NEWSLETTER July 2010
LLPS Quarterly Membership Meeting-Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Guest Speaker: Dr. Bill Walton, Assistant Professor/Marine Fisheries & Allied Aqua-cultures and Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Al.
Little Lagoon Preservation Society (LLPS) invites members and the general public to attend a quarterly membership meeting on Tuesday, July 20, 5:45 PM, at the Adult Activity Center in Gulf Shores. The first 15 minutes of our meeting (5:45 to 6:00) is an opportunity to mingle and enjoy refreshments with LLPS members, officers, guest speakers, and the general public. Featured guest speaker will be Dr. Bill Walton from Auburn University. Dr. Walton will speak to us about "Trying to Get a Grip on the Ecological Effects of the Oil Spill on Alabama's Coastal Waters: Oysters as an Indicator". "For an animal that can't talk, oysters have a lot to say. As the oil spill continues, oysters will be one of the most reliable measures of the extent and potential effects of the spill on Alabama's coastal plants and animals. These filter-feeding organisms will be used by a number of resource managers and scientists as indicator species throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Walton, assistant professor in Auburn University's Department of Fisheries & Allied Aquacultures and Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialist, studies the fisheries, restoration and aquaculture of oysters and other marine invertebrates (e.g., crabs, shrimp) at Auburn University's Shellfish Laboratory on Dauphin Island; he will provide a general overview of the potential short and long-term ecological effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the plants and animals that live within Alabama's coastal waters. In addition, he will focus on the potential effects of this spill on oysters, as both a commercially important species that supports a substantial industry as well as valuable indicator species".
Other topics to be discussed following our guest speakers include: 1) Review of efforts by COGS, ALDOT, FWS, and LLPS to protect Little Lagoon from oil spill impact, 2) Review ALDOT, COGS, and LLPS pass redesign plans, 3) Review of LLPS effort to have the Lagoon designated as GAPC (Geographic Area of Particular Concern), 4) Review of redesigned beta LLPS website, 5) Treasurers report.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM APRIL MEMBERS MEETING.
Guest Speaker-Dr. Hugh MacIntyre outlined key results of 3 years of studies by him, and DISL graduate students, with assistance from LLPS volunteers. He then "rolled out" new research projects recently funded by NSF (National Science Foundation), MS-AL Sea Grant, and ADCNR ($1,237,415). Dr. MacIntyre noted that grantors were impressed with LLPS Water Quality Team contributions to this effort.
Current studies show:
1) Water quality in Little Lagoon is not seriously compromised,
2) Nutrient levels are comparable to Mobile Bay but there is no evidence for widespread hypoxia, 3) Micro-algal biomass is correlated with nutrient levels, both groundwater and sediments are likely sources of nutrients,
4) The lagoon is a hot-spot for a toxic diatom (Pseudo-nitzschia spp.), the diatom has been shown to be toxic but there is no evidence to date for trophic transfer and intoxication/ecological consequences,
5) Fecal coli form bacteria are frequently well above regulatory thresholds, abundance is not correlated with any parameter measured to date.
New grant objectives are:
1) Trace groundwater discharge and measure benthic (bottom) fluxes,
2) Continue to monitor nutrients and micro biological community composition,
3) Assess likelihood of fertilizer/nutrient source,
4) Determine if Pseudo-nitzschia toxin is transported into food-chain,
5) Determine most probable origin of fecal coli forms,
6) Construct circulation and flushing model to estimate pollutant residence time and conduct "what if scenario" runs,
7) Couple algal growth model with circulation/flushing model.
Other topics reviewed:
1) ALDOT's Draft Concept Design Report- six concepts for redesign of the pass, Barney and Dennis independently preferred F. Barney and Dennis have proposed changes to the plan and court order which would: a) address measuring, triggering, and dredging flood tidal shoal sands, b) add a depth requirement to the maintenance section in the court order, and c) revise trigger and commencement of dredging operation process to facilitate dredge reservation cost savings by ALDOT without compromising Lagoon water quality. All changes will be reviewed by LLPS and legal counsel. COGS was preparing draft language for a change in the court order which would allow for placement of current and future dredge spoils more than 1 mile west of the pass vs. the current 1,000' allowed. LLPS is on record, in writing, that we do not object to this change. COGS had not yet obtained necessary permits from Corps of Engineers, ADEM, and Fish & Wildlife Service.
2) Lagoon designation as GAPC (Geographic Area of Particular Concern). Barney discussed recently with Barnett Lawley, ADCNR head, the status of LLPS’s application to have the Little Lagoon designated a Geographical Area of Concern. The problem has been that ADEM and ADCNR have failed to update their regulations covering this designation since the two agencies were separated. State Lands Director has been asked by Mr. Lawley to investigate and provide update on process. Barney will continue to "bird dog" on behalf of LLPS.
3) Red Clay- Dennis reports that the red clay legislation is dead at this time. The Baldwin County
Commission, COGS, and Orange Beach did not support it. The bill would prohibit the use of red clay on Pleasure Island and in Baldwin County south of I-10 below the 10’ contour. Criteria for materials which would be approved were outlined as well as procedures for permitting and enforcement. Emphasis is now on a bottom up approach, getting local ordinances in area municipalities. There have been some enforcement activities recently from the City of Gulf Shores.
4) Treasurer report- J. R. Rinaudo reported a bank balance of $30,940.08 at the end of the first quarter. Bills are outstanding for Officers’ and Directors’ insurance and for the laptop computer and projector which was purchased for LLPS.
LITTLE LAGOON PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Email: littlelagoonps@gmail.com
Post Office Box 3193
Gulf Shores, AL 36547-3193
LLPS Quarterly Membership Meeting-Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Guest Speaker: Dr. Bill Walton, Assistant Professor/Marine Fisheries & Allied Aqua-cultures and Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Al.
Little Lagoon Preservation Society (LLPS) invites members and the general public to attend a quarterly membership meeting on Tuesday, July 20, 5:45 PM, at the Adult Activity Center in Gulf Shores. The first 15 minutes of our meeting (5:45 to 6:00) is an opportunity to mingle and enjoy refreshments with LLPS members, officers, guest speakers, and the general public. Featured guest speaker will be Dr. Bill Walton from Auburn University. Dr. Walton will speak to us about "Trying to Get a Grip on the Ecological Effects of the Oil Spill on Alabama's Coastal Waters: Oysters as an Indicator". "For an animal that can't talk, oysters have a lot to say. As the oil spill continues, oysters will be one of the most reliable measures of the extent and potential effects of the spill on Alabama's coastal plants and animals. These filter-feeding organisms will be used by a number of resource managers and scientists as indicator species throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Walton, assistant professor in Auburn University's Department of Fisheries & Allied Aquacultures and Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialist, studies the fisheries, restoration and aquaculture of oysters and other marine invertebrates (e.g., crabs, shrimp) at Auburn University's Shellfish Laboratory on Dauphin Island; he will provide a general overview of the potential short and long-term ecological effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the plants and animals that live within Alabama's coastal waters. In addition, he will focus on the potential effects of this spill on oysters, as both a commercially important species that supports a substantial industry as well as valuable indicator species".
Other topics to be discussed following our guest speakers include: 1) Review of efforts by COGS, ALDOT, FWS, and LLPS to protect Little Lagoon from oil spill impact, 2) Review ALDOT, COGS, and LLPS pass redesign plans, 3) Review of LLPS effort to have the Lagoon designated as GAPC (Geographic Area of Particular Concern), 4) Review of redesigned beta LLPS website, 5) Treasurers report.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM APRIL MEMBERS MEETING.
Guest Speaker-Dr. Hugh MacIntyre outlined key results of 3 years of studies by him, and DISL graduate students, with assistance from LLPS volunteers. He then "rolled out" new research projects recently funded by NSF (National Science Foundation), MS-AL Sea Grant, and ADCNR ($1,237,415). Dr. MacIntyre noted that grantors were impressed with LLPS Water Quality Team contributions to this effort.
Current studies show:
1) Water quality in Little Lagoon is not seriously compromised,
2) Nutrient levels are comparable to Mobile Bay but there is no evidence for widespread hypoxia, 3) Micro-algal biomass is correlated with nutrient levels, both groundwater and sediments are likely sources of nutrients,
4) The lagoon is a hot-spot for a toxic diatom (Pseudo-nitzschia spp.), the diatom has been shown to be toxic but there is no evidence to date for trophic transfer and intoxication/ecological consequences,
5) Fecal coli form bacteria are frequently well above regulatory thresholds, abundance is not correlated with any parameter measured to date.
New grant objectives are:
1) Trace groundwater discharge and measure benthic (bottom) fluxes,
2) Continue to monitor nutrients and micro biological community composition,
3) Assess likelihood of fertilizer/nutrient source,
4) Determine if Pseudo-nitzschia toxin is transported into food-chain,
5) Determine most probable origin of fecal coli forms,
6) Construct circulation and flushing model to estimate pollutant residence time and conduct "what if scenario" runs,
7) Couple algal growth model with circulation/flushing model.
Other topics reviewed:
1) ALDOT's Draft Concept Design Report- six concepts for redesign of the pass, Barney and Dennis independently preferred F. Barney and Dennis have proposed changes to the plan and court order which would: a) address measuring, triggering, and dredging flood tidal shoal sands, b) add a depth requirement to the maintenance section in the court order, and c) revise trigger and commencement of dredging operation process to facilitate dredge reservation cost savings by ALDOT without compromising Lagoon water quality. All changes will be reviewed by LLPS and legal counsel. COGS was preparing draft language for a change in the court order which would allow for placement of current and future dredge spoils more than 1 mile west of the pass vs. the current 1,000' allowed. LLPS is on record, in writing, that we do not object to this change. COGS had not yet obtained necessary permits from Corps of Engineers, ADEM, and Fish & Wildlife Service.
2) Lagoon designation as GAPC (Geographic Area of Particular Concern). Barney discussed recently with Barnett Lawley, ADCNR head, the status of LLPS’s application to have the Little Lagoon designated a Geographical Area of Concern. The problem has been that ADEM and ADCNR have failed to update their regulations covering this designation since the two agencies were separated. State Lands Director has been asked by Mr. Lawley to investigate and provide update on process. Barney will continue to "bird dog" on behalf of LLPS.
3) Red Clay- Dennis reports that the red clay legislation is dead at this time. The Baldwin County
Commission, COGS, and Orange Beach did not support it. The bill would prohibit the use of red clay on Pleasure Island and in Baldwin County south of I-10 below the 10’ contour. Criteria for materials which would be approved were outlined as well as procedures for permitting and enforcement. Emphasis is now on a bottom up approach, getting local ordinances in area municipalities. There have been some enforcement activities recently from the City of Gulf Shores.
4) Treasurer report- J. R. Rinaudo reported a bank balance of $30,940.08 at the end of the first quarter. Bills are outstanding for Officers’ and Directors’ insurance and for the laptop computer and projector which was purchased for LLPS.
LITTLE LAGOON PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Email: littlelagoonps@gmail.com
Post Office Box 3193
Gulf Shores, AL 36547-3193
