GREENWAY PROJECT

Apr 30th, 2003

Linking 50 miles of hiking, biking and jogging paths in Mobile

ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc. in conjunction with the Dog River Clearwater Revival, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and the City of Mobile are pleased to announce the kickoff of the Montlimar Canal Greenway project.

Please join us Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. on the bank of the Montlimar Canal behind Outback Steakhouse, 901 Montlimar Drive, and Sonic Drive-In, 951 Montlimar Drive to launch this project.

The Master Plan for Green Spaces, commissioned by the Mobile Tricentennial, calls for a 100% increase in the amount of green space dedicated for public use. The Montlimar Canal Project will be "mile one" of the 50 miles of hiking and biking paths proposed to link green areas throughout the city of Mobile.

Elements of the Master Plan include:

• Remediation of a one-mile section of Montlimar Canal between Michael Blvd. And Airport Blvd.
  
• Stabilization of one of the major tributaries entering Montlimar Canal from the west and construction of a bridge over the tributary to provide access.
  
• Development of a greenway and a hike, bike and exercise trail along the western bank of this section of Montlimar Canal.
  
• Plantings of shrubs and trees along the canal to reduce erosion.
  
• Creation of environmental education stations that will discuss how activities along an urban waterway can affect the water quality in Mobile Bay and steps people can take to improve urban water quality.
  

The grading of the area, the materials to be used in the construction of the greenway and the planting of trees and shrubs will work to reduce erosion along Montlimar Canal.

This should decrease sediment loading in the canal, Dog Creek River, and ultimately, Mobile Bay.

The project is funded by ATFINA , will demonstrate that the improvement and preservation of an urban stream can enhance downstream water quality while providing recreational, educational, and pollution prevention benefits to the people of Mobile.


The project has received enthusiastic support from ReBloom Mobile, the Alabama Rivers Project and the Hearin-Chandler Family YMCA.

Parking is available behind the Outback Steakhouse. For more information on this project, please call Will Kiser, Project Engineer, ATOFINA at 829-4324, or Gina Gregory, Public Relations Director, City of Mobile, 208-7590.