Dauphin Island Levee Controversy

Could a levee be the answer to Dauphin Island's erosion problems?
FEMA is considering that question and it may even give island officials money to build the levee. Mayor Jeff Collier says the levee would be constructed right along the south side of Bienville Boulevard.

FEMA decided against rebuilding a two year old berm that got washed out during Gustav.
Collier says it is still too early to determine a cost for the proposed levee, but some homeowners are already giving the idea a thumbs down.
"What this levee will do is...it's a 7 foot high wall of sand and it's going to cover the access to all of the road access and there will be no way to get to the properties in the event of emergencies, service of utilities or anything like that,"Said Gary Bratt, a homeowner.
"A lot of this is just talk at this particular point. This is not the only item on the table, hopefully, that we can look to some other ways as well to try to find some alternatives to this alternative,"Said Mayor Collier.

Island leaders are inviting everyone to voice their concerns at a town hall meeting May 13th.
The meeting will begin at 6pm at the Catholic Parish Hall.