Mollie Taylor (Florida), Robert Dunn (Georgia) and Wade Burcham, PE, LEED AP, BD+C (Alabama) will present at the Alabama Water Resources Conference at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Mollie Taylor is a Senior Staff Scientist with more than 10 years of experience, focused on watershed management and estuarine habitat quality.

Robert is a Water Resource Scientist and Aquatic Ecologist based in Georgia, focused on natural resource and ecological consulting for streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal ecosystems.

Wade Burcham is a Principal Water Resources Engineer based in Alabama with more than 21 years of professional experience focused on natural stream stabilization, water resources engineering, stormwater management, municipal engineering, and contract administration.
As a forum for the water resources community, the Annual Alabama Water Resources Conference provides opportunities for conversation about the many multidisciplinary aspects of water resources to improve understandings of the complex water issues in Alabama, the region, and the United States. The conference is hosted by the Auburn University Water Resources Center. The Center facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration among Auburn University faculty and staff on water-related research, outreach, and instruction, conducts research to find practical solutions for current and future water issues, and helps citizens to become active stewards of water resources.

Abstracts

Watershed Management Planning along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Mollie Taylor and Wade Burcham
The Gulf Frontal Watershed complex is a truly unique place where people from all backgrounds meet to work, live, and play among the diverse natural resources and over 200 miles of shoreline. Geosyntec was selected by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) to prepare a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (WMP) for the two watersheds that make up the Gulf Frontal Watershed complex—Perdido Pass and Little Lagoon. Our vision was to create a landscape of environmental and economic viability that promotes the protection and restoration of water quality and coastal ecosystems through strong local leadership and sustainable partnerships. With the WMP near completion, the real work and collaboration begin. This presentation tells the story of the watershed planning process, including how the project team engaged the community, created partnerships, and identified management measures to conserve and restore these coastal habitats. This project was supported by MBNEP with funding from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Federal Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies Act.

A Look to the Past and an Eye on the Future—An Overview of the D’Olive Watershed Management Plan (Past and Present). Robert Dunn and Wade Burcham
The D’Olive Watershed contains some of the most sought-after places in the state to live, work, and play. The quality of life in the watershed is a significant part of why Baldwin County is the fastest growing county in Alabama. Since the 1970s, excessive erosion and sedimentation have plagued the watershed, which has some of the highest sediment rates measured by the Geological Survey of Alabama. Therefore, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program led an initiative to restore the watershed—and realize the lower cost of proactive management. The 2010 Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (WMP) defined the primary objectives, identified immediate needs, and prioritized opportunities from 2011 to 2020. Management measures included stream restorations, stormwater retrofits, “Smart Growth,” ordinance development, strengthened regulatory relationships, and development of the Lake Forest Lake Master Plan. Geosyntec was selected by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program to prepare an update to the D’Olive WMP, which will be the first WMP update prepared for a completed WMP for the Program. This presentation will highlight the successes of the 2010 WMP and will provide an update on the top opportunities identified as part of the WMP update process.

More Information

About the event: Alabama Water Resources Conference | Auburn University Water Resources Center
For consultation regarding watershed management, contact Mollie Taylor at mtaylor@geosyntec.com or Wade Burcham at wburcham@geosyntec.com.
Learn more about Mollie: www.linkedin.com/in/mollie-taylor-3a641966/
Learn more about Robert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-dunn-9878b9a4/

Learn more about Wade: www.geosyntec.com/people/wade-burcham