Foley eyes Bon Secour stormwater management plan

Olivia Wilson
·2 min read

FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — The City of Foley is working to reduce the risks of storm-related flooding in the Bon Scour River area.

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According to a press release from the city, Foley is working to expand its existing stormwater management program.

“We’d like to apply for some funding to start with the Bon Secour River,” Foley Environmental Director Leslie Gahagan said. “This would be a stormwater management plan working with our existing infrastructure, seeing where we might have priority projects to fund in the future.”

“A stormwater management plan would allow Foley to improve drainage and reduce flooding on the Bon Secour River,” a city news release said. “The city is applying for a state grant to develop the plan.” (Courtesy: City of Foley)
“A stormwater management plan would allow Foley to improve drainage and reduce flooding on the Bon Secour River,” a city news release said. “The city is applying for a state grant to develop the plan.” (Courtesy: City of Foley)

Stormwater management programs help to decrease the negative effects of storms in other parts of the city, officials said.

Specifically, they pointed to how strategically rebuilding a portion of South Pecan Street prevented it from being damaged in later storms, including the heavy rains from Hurricane Sally in 2020.

“A portion of the Beulah Heights area has a stormwater plan,” Gahagan said, adding, “We’re underway with the Magnolia River.”

The Foley City Council voted on March 18 to apply for a grant from the Alabama Coastal Management Program.

If approved for the grant, Foley could be eligible for $50,000 in funding, which would help pay for some of the Bon Secour stormwater management plan development costs, according to the release.

There’s a bonus benefit for proper planning.

According to Mayor Ralph Hellmich, the plan could help Foley to receive more funding in the future.

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“Having these types of plans helps us with grants,” Hellmich said., “It’s really imperative to have this. If you don’t have a plan, they’re not going to give you anything.”

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