The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $572,355 in federal funding to the alabama department of conservation and natural resources through the bipartisan…

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $572,355 in federal funding to the alabama department of conservation and natural resources through the bipartisan infrastructure law. This funding will build the capacity of the weeks BAY national estuarine research reserve (NERR) within the alabama department of conservation and natural resources to support the planning of conservation and restoration projects through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, the weeks BAY NERR will utilize these funds to refine and finalize a holistic restoration plan for the 360 acre damson tract that addresses hydrological impairments. The long-term goal is to utilize the resulting plan to further future efforts to identify and secure funding sources so that necessary on the ground actions can be implemented. This work will be supported by contracting with a professional engineering firm to address the impact of roadbed construction and drainage on the tract. The engineering firm will complete a hydrological assessment and provide design solutions, with cost estimates, for addressing hydrological impairments caused by the three 1,700 linear foot roadways that cross the damson tract and ditches that parallel the roadways.