Morgan County Helps Install Firebreaks In Wetland Mitigation Bank

There is almost an audible sigh of relief coming from the local vegetation when the bottom falls out of an afternoon thundershower. These showers give a few moments of relief from summer heat to plants, people, and wildlife, but they also bring dangerous lightening. Lightening and dry vegetation make a bad combination. Although people are the number one cause of wild fires, lightening can be a likely culprit especially in an area where the vegetation is struggling for water.

Having the responsibility of a 647 wetland property in a drought stricken area of the state, the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with NRCS and the Morgan County Commission, is taking precautions concerning fire prevention on the Flint Creek Wetland Mitigation Bank property. Flint Creek Watershed Coordinator Brad Bole, NRCS District Conservationist Foy Kirkland, and District Two Commissioner Ken Livingston coordinated their efforts to create firebreaks on the wetland property. "These firebreaks are being installed so that if a fire breaks out in one section of the wetland it can be slowed and stopped before it burns all of the wetland," states Brad. These firebreaks will also protect homes and businesses surrounding the wetlands. The installation of these firebreaks is part of the master development plan for the wetland property.

The Flint Creek Wetlands Mitigation Bank was initiated by Robinsong Ecological Resources in 1998. It was the first privately-owned mitigation bank in Alabama. Since its inception, it has sold its "credits" (acres of wetlands) to airports, municipalities, and private industry whose growth imperiled wetlands within the watershed. Now that all the acreage credits are sold, the wetlands bank has become a wetland preserve that will be protected in perpetuity by the Morgan County Commission and the Flint Creek Watershed Conservancy District.

Activities scheduled for future development include the first phase of educational trails and construction of an observation deck. This will provide area students and teachers access to the wetland area where they can enjoy the wildlife and plant life while learning about the importance of conservation.