Drainage Plan

Arbor’s Drainage Plan fails to do two things: (1) provide an ecological assessment of the effects on human beach bathers (swimmers) and marine life of the Arbor plan that allows contaminated groundwater from the development to drain into the MS Sound through two new 42-inch pipes installed under Highway 90 and across the sand beach, and (2) report potential drainage/flooding problems for existing neighborhoods from the new subdivision whose General Plan fails to include retention ponds.

The Mississippi Code 65-33-51 subsection (2) does not allow water pollution that would endanger the health of swimmers or bathers. Yet, contaminated storm water from the golf course that contains fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum pollutants from vehicles, and toxic chemicals will drain into the MS Sound through Arbor’s two new 42-inch pipelines. Additionally, keeping current detention ponds and adding more retention ponds on the golf course would keep contaminated groundwater on site and prohibit it from entering the MS Sound. Additionally, The Gulfport Code of Ordinances, Ch. 9 SUBDIVISIONS (Item 9-50) states that natural scenic features [2 ponds/wetlands] shall be considered to be community assets, and the design of the subdivision shall protect and utilize such natural scenic features. Concerned community leaders contacted the Board of Supervisors to review the need for retention ponds on the development, and the Board of Supervisors is aware that the golf course is contaminated with dangerous chemicals.

Arbor requested authority from MDEQ to approve their large construction permit, but the permit application is inaccurate and the storm water prevention plan lacks sufficient detail. The concerned citizens have asked MDEQ to reopen complaint # 54157 and respond to a Freedom of Information Act request to share records about soil testing results, allow the affected communities to participate in MDEQ’s environmental decision-making process, and to reject and return Arbor’s large construction permit application #MSR108797. At this time MDEQ has not issued a permit to Arbor.

Currently, Arbor plans to eliminate existing ponds, wetlands, and sand traps which are are used to manage storm water runoff and protect against flooding. Disturbing contaminated soil and dumping it into the MS Sound will adversely affect marine and wildlife that inhabit the ponds on the golf course and depend upon nesting and fishing in the MS Sound: Giant Blue Herons, Sea Gulls, migrating Geese, the Brown Pelican, Cranes, and Egrets.. The current drainage plan also threatens the endangered Least Tern’s largest breeding area on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the nest of the Kemps Ridley Sea Turtles on the beach, and the largest breeding area in the US for Bottlenose Dolphins..  

Arbor’s Drainage Plan fails to do two things: (1) provide an ecological assessment of the effects on human beach bathers (swimmers) and marine life of the Arbor plan that allows contaminated groundwater from the development to drain into the MS Sound through two new 42-inch pipes installed under Highway 90 and across the sand beach, and (2) report potential drainage/flooding problems for existing neighborhoods from the new subdivision whose General Plan fails to include retention ponds.

The Mississippi Code 65-33-51 subsection (2) does not allow water pollution that would endanger the health of swimmers or bathers. Yet, contaminated storm water from the golf course that contains fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum pollutants from vehicles, and toxic chemicals will drain into the MS Sound through Arbor’s two new 42-inch pipelines. Additionally, keeping current detention ponds and adding more retention ponds on the golf course would keep contaminated groundwater on site and prohibit it from entering the MS Sound. Additionally, The Gulfport Code of Ordinances, Ch. 9 SUBDIVISIONS (Item 9-50) states that natural scenic features [2 ponds/wetlands] shall be considered to be community assets, and the design of the subdivision shall protect and utilize such natural scenic features. Concerned community leaders contacted the Board of Supervisors to review the need for retention ponds on the development, and the Board of Supervisors is aware that the golf course is contaminated with dangerous chemicals.

Arbor requested authority from MDEQ to approve their large construction permit, but the permit application is inaccurate and the storm water prevention plan lacks sufficient detail. The concerned citizens have asked MDEQ to reopen complaint # 54157 and respond to a Freedom of Information Act request to share records about soil testing results, allow the affected communities to participate in MDEQ’s environmental decision-making process, and to reject and return Arbor’s large construction permit application #MSR108797. At this time MDEQ has not issued a permit to Arbor.

Currently, Arbor plans to eliminate existing ponds, wetlands, and sand traps which are are used to manage storm water runoff and protect against flooding. Disturbing contaminated soil and dumping it into the MS Sound will adversely affect marine and wildlife that inhabit the ponds on the golf course and depend upon nesting and fishing in the MS Sound: Giant Blue Herons, Sea Gulls, migrating Geese, the Brown Pelican, Cranes, and Egrets.. The current drainage plan also threatens the endangered Least Tern’s largest breeding area on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the nest of the Kemps Ridley Sea Turtles on the beach, and the largest breeding area in the US for Bottlenose Dolphins.