GOMESA Application Details

1. Title of Project: City of D'Iberville's Watershed Protection Plan
2. Location of Project: City of D'Iberville's city limits.
3. Requesting Organization: City of D'Iberville
4a. Name: Bobby Weaver
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 228-392-7966
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: 10383 Auto Mall Pkwy
4e. Address Line 2: P.O. Box 6519
4e. City, State Zip: D'Iberville, MS
4f. Email: bweaver@diberville.ms.us
5. FundingRequested: $350,000
Awarded Amount:: $0
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: No
7a. Amount of Additional Funds: $0
7b. Source of Additional Funds
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $350,000
9. Project Description/Overview: The City of D'Iberville, a fast growing coastal community, is requesting much needed funding for the creation of a local watershed plan. In the 2015 City of D'iberville Comprehensive Plan, one of the land use goals calls for the city to "Guide and direct development in a manner which is sensitive and responsible with respect to the natural environment and natural resources." A local watershed plan would be the tool to further this land use goal for the City of D'iberville by providing a guiding document for city leaders, elected officials, developers and residents to organize themselves and work towards a common goal of clean water. Without having a watershed plan in place, development will continue to expand at a rapid rate with the city using the typical growth management tools of subdivision and zoning laws to guide growth. By taking a watershed approach to understand how development, storm water run off, and flooding can affect water quality, the City of D'Iberville's coveted natural resources would be preserved and enhanced.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: Goals: 1. Improve water quality 2. Reduce the impact of flooding and climate change 3. Expand and enhance water recreation and access opportunities 4. Balance habitat protection with growth and development 5. Work towards a sustainable and high quality of life for all citizen's of D'Iberville
11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?

(A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses: Yes: By taking a watershed planning and management approach, the City will be able to use this document to guide policy, manage resources and coordinate infrastructure improvements in a way that is protective of the city's environmentally sensitive coastline and wetlands.

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: Within the City of D'Iberville, there are two watersheds that contain the impaired water bodies of the Tchoutacabouffa River and Cypress Creek. With GOMESA funding for a local watershed plan, the City of D'Iberville can take action onunderstanding and mitigating the damages to these impaired water bodies which do not support their designated uses. Without a local plan, City of D'Iberville will have to wait on state and federal agencies to take steps to improve the water quality and prevent damage to fish habitat and natural resources provided by the Tchoutacabouffa River and Cypress Creek.

(C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

(D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.

12. Project Timetable/Milestones: It is anticipated that the City of D'Iberville Watershed Protection Plan will take approximately 2.5 years from funding to adoption, with the majority of the time spent on data collection, analysis and report composition. 2025 - 3-6 months Funding for City of D'Iberville's Watershed Protection Plan secured Public Bidding Process for Watershed Consultant Review of qualifications and contract award 2026 - 12-18 months Consultant begins watershed data collection and analysis Community engagement activities to inform and seek input from D'Iberville residents and businesses First draft of report 2027 - 3-6 months Revisions and public hearings Final report and adoption of plan.
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):: Other N/A Funds Budgeted

15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?: The City of D'Iberville has been established as an ethnically diverse, fishing and boating community. By working with the Department of Marine Resources on preserving and enhancing water quality through watershed management, these unique cultural qualities will be passed down to future generations of Mississippi. Population data from the latest census shows D'Iberville continuing a trend of rapid growth (35%) in the last decade. A watershed approach to planning could inform the development community on best management practices and elements of smart coastal growth to ensure present and future generations of D'Iberville residents have access to clean and healthy waterways. The watershed plan will also need to address floodplain issues, storm water infrastructure and pollutants to fully understand the conditions of the watershed planning area. Understanding these issues at a local level would assist the Department of Marine Resources in their goals of enhancing, protecting and conserving water and marine resources.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 3
17. Estimated Completion Date: 10/31/2027

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe: $0
Travel: $0
Architecture & Engineering: $0
Legal: $0
Consulting: $350,000
Construction: $0
Site Work: $0
Equipment: $0
Indirects: $0
Other: $0
Total: $350,000


Internal Project Number: 1289
Application Submission Date: 06/18/2024
Fiscal Year: 2026
Project Status
Application Status: Submitted
Meets Criteria
Internal Notes:

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