Plan to protect Mobile Bay in place

FAIRHOPE, Alabama (WALA) - After flying over the coastline Monday, Governor Bob Riley and several other officials finalized their plans to protect Mobile Bay from oil.

"What we're planning on doing is laying 26,000 feet of ocean boom around the opening of the outside of the Mobile ship channel out in the Gulf waters," said Raymond Butler, project manager for BP.

The boom containment system will essentially close the Bay from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island, but it will feature a gate-like opening to allow shipping to continue.

"We'll put an overlapping gate when the ships come in and out of the ship channel on that section of boom," said Butler. "We're going to do similar booming on the inside which is about 26,000 feet."

If the oil is able to pass through the initial boom barrier, a second similar system will be set up along the causeway to protect the bay's estuaries.

"In the case weather is bad, we're going to back up to the causeway and do essentially the same thing," said Governor Riley. "There's three openings in the causeway that go from Mobile Bay into the estuaries. So we're gonna build the same type of containment system up there."

Unlike some of the inland boom that has washed ashore, officials say ocean boom is 42 inches tall, compared to between 18 to 24 inch inland boom. The increased size makes it better equipped to handle strong currents. Governor Riley added the boom will also be secured by 2,000 pound anchors on each side.

"The boom is that tall. It's huge. But if you can get it in, get it secure, then have the two gates, then we're hoping we can keep everything out of the bay," Governor Riley said.

Governor Riley said everything needed for the system is already in place.

Butler said there's no timetable to begin this bay boom effort, it will only be deployed when oil looks like it will make landfall. Officials said if it appears the oil will hit the shores in 72 hours, the system will be deployed.

Also mentioned at Monday's press conference, State Senator Ben Brooks of Mobile County said there will be additional protection of local rivers. Brooks said the mouths of Dog River and East Fowl River will be double boomed to protect from oil.