The city of Foley is taking proactive measures to bolster its stormwater management program, unveiling a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing drainage and curbing storm-related damages along the Bon Secour River.

The City Council convened on Monday, March 18, to approve the application for a grant from the Alabama Coastal Management Program. This grant, if secured, would cover a portion of the expenses incurred in crafting a comprehensive stormwater management plan tailored specifically for the Bon Secour River.

Leslie Gahagan, Foley's environmental director, explained that they've already seen success with similar plans in other parts of the city.

“A portion of the Beulah Heights area has a stormwater plan,” Gahagan said. “We’re underway with the Magnolia River. We’d like to apply for some funding to start with the Bon Secour River. This would be a stormwater management plan working with our existing infrastructure, seeing where we might have priority projects to fund in the future.”

In the past, Foley has made improvements to drainage systems after flooding. For example, drainage was improved on Wolf Creek in the Beulah Heights community after flooding from heavy rains washed out a portion of South Pecan Street in 2014. After the improvements, the roadway was rebuilt to better standards and was not damaged in later storms, including the heavy rains from Hurricane Sally in 2020.

Since 2023, Foley has been clearing debris and enhancing drainage infrastructure along the Bon Secour River, a vital undertaking worsened by the aftermath of Hurricane Sally's assault on the Gulf Coast.

At the council meeting, Gahagan said that the stormwater management plan will help identify future projects, such as public works drainage improvements.

“It tells us where we need to look at increasing our ditch sizes and things like that, so it’s something good to have on hand,” she said.

Gahagan said city crews also plan to install several additional litter traps along the river in the near future. The traps remove garbage from waterways for disposal or recycling and allow officials to study what kind of debris is being washed into streams.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said having a plan like this makes it easier to get funding for future projects.

“Having these types of plans helps us with grants,” Hellmich said. “It’s really imperative to have this. If you don’t have a plan, they’re not going to give you anything.”

If the Alabama Coastal Management Program approves the grant, the city could be eligible for up to $50,000 in funding.

The Bon Secour River drainage area encompasses a portion of downtown Foley, reaching toward the vicinity of U.S. Highway 98 and Alabama State Route 59, and extending south through the Aaronville community. The area also extends northward to Orchid Avenue, encompassing some city schools, including Foley Elementary and Mathis Elementary.