BAY MINETTE, Ala. – A grassroots effort to preserve the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and keep it out of federal hands is gaining speed.

A week after the Baldwin County Commission passed a resolution showing their opposition, residents have organized a rally, started a Facebook page and even secured the services of an attorney.

Earlier this year, the Mobile County Commission approved a resolution to take another look at creating a National Park out of the Delta. In 1979, a study was done to determine the feasibility of naming the area a National Park or Reserve. Pundits said the move was to create an ecotourism market for Mobile County. But when word got out, Baldwin residents were incensed and showed up at the county commission meeting Sept. 3.

Citizen rally

The residents of the Delta are in the process of organizing a rally on Sept. 22 at Live Oak Landing. The two-hour event is slated to start at 2:30 p.m.

Stockton resident David Peterson created “Save Our Delta” and is circulating a petition against federal control of the Delta at locations across Baldwin County. Former Public Service Commissioner Jim Zeigler is serving as volunteer attorney for “Save Our Delta” and will serve as program chairman for the rally.

Peterson and his sister Linda Peterson Johnson have designed T-shirts for Save Our Delta, which will be on sale at the rally. The speakers will outline how each citizen can have an impact in keeping local control of the Delta, according to Zeigler.

The rally will feature south Alabama music. Rally attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs and bottled water. The event is non-alcoholic. Attendees may bring their own picnic lunches.

Troy Garrett started the Facebook page coordinating opposition to the takeover at “Save the Mobile/Tensaw Delta.” It gained over 2,700 followers in the first week. Thursday morning, it had more than 3,100 followers.

Orange Beach real estate developer and Congressional candidate Dean Young is leading a citizen effort to get the Mobile County Commissioners to reverse themselves and withdraw a resolution of support for a Delta national park study. One commissioner, Jerry Carl, has already agreed to change his vote and withdraw the resolution.

The resolution passed by the Mobile County Commission supported an update of a study done in 1979 on the feasibility of designating the Delta as a national park and reserve. Mobile Commissioner Merceria Ludgood said the commission’s vote was solely a show of support that the federal government update its study.