John Reed's letter to the editor
Today's Mobile Register carries a letter from John Reed to the editor. John explains the current situation on Dauphin Island and why it is necessary to take the steps the Dauphin Island Property Owners are recommending, to declare the west end Dauphin Island beach public property and thereby make it eligible for public funding.
Arriving at the crossroads
Dauphin Island is a unique environmental, recreational and economic resource to Mobile County, the state and the nation. That is why it deserves special intervention and assistance before it literally washes away.
Dauphin Island, which represents one-third of Alabama's short coastline, is the barrier island that protects Mobile County from tropical storms and hurricanes. It has an 18-mile shoreline, bird sanctuaries, wetlands and a golf course.
Since lots were sold by the Mobile Chamber of Commerce in 1953, Dauphin Island has developed responsibly. In 1997, it stopped further development on its fragile west end, where nine miles have never been developed. The island has followed 1953 rules prohibiting buildings over 70 feet high.
Unlike many coastal communities, it has accepted the energy industry, allowing offshore rigs and serving as a support base for that industry.
As Mobile becomes more significant along the Gulf Coast, the island and its assets have become increasingly important elements of the greater Mobile economy.
Today, Dauphin Island faces a critical moment in its history. It deserves a special consideration and stewardship.
Developed by the chamber as a largely private community, the island originally had a west end beach of dunes and sea oats that was 200 to 300 feet wide. That beach ran for three miles in front of, and protected, about 1,000 private lots and houses on the west end.
It was private property, owned and enjoyed by its owners. Signs posted on the property urged others to keep out.
For the past 50 years, that beach has been steadily eroding. With visits from Hurricanes Georges, Isidore, Ivan and Katrina, the beach is now virtually gone.
We have all seen those sad pictures of lonely pilings standing in the water, with the surf rushing under houses.