DAPHNE, Ala. — The Olde Towne Daphne Association will host a public discussion meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Daphne Public Library to discuss a proposed watershed management amendment.

There are no federal or state laws that manage storm-water quantity, the association stated in a news release, yet excessive storm water can cause flooding and erosion. Baldwin County’s political, business and environmental leaders formed the Baldwin County Watershed Coalition in 2004 to address the problem of storm-water management in the region.

Tuesday’s meeting is set to discuss the proposed Baldwin County Local Amendment 1 for a public corporation to handle excessive storm water in the county. The public can vote on the amendment Nov. 2.

“This is a presentation of what the problem is and why it was brought to the legislature to begin with,” said Sara Shields, member of the coalition. “The point of the public meetings is to say, ‘This is what we’ve come up with, now what would you like to be different.’”

The amendment states: “Relating to Baldwin County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to authorize the Legislature to provide by general or local law for the formation of a public corporation for the purpose of managing storm water in the county; and to authorize the levy and collection of storm water service charges on certain property containing impervious areas in the county.”

Marian MacPherson, steering committee chair, stated that while some people may be worried about the fee associated with the amendment, voting in favor does not implement any charges. It only allows authority to implement charges if need be, she said, and the possibility of fees will be discussed later if the amendment passes.

The steering committee is part of the coalition. Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Kraft, Daphne Mayor Fred Small, Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant and Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery are committee members, according to the coalition’s website.

Watershed management has been a focal point in Baldwin County for the past few years. The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and Thompson Engineering unveiled a plan June 29 to manage the D’Olive Watershed.

MacPherson said the D’Olive Watershed Management Plan is not related to the amendment except in the subject of storm-water management.

The coalition’s first meeting was held in Robertsdale on Sept. 16, MacPherson said.

According to the coalition’s website, www.baldwincountywathershedcoalition.org, the coalition will host a public meeting about the proposed amendment at the Foley Civic Center at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and another at Daphne City Hall at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21.

At those meetings, MacPherson said, “We’ll be available to answer questions and hopefully move the coalition forward.”

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story reported that the Baldwin County Watershed Coalition's official  meeting now set for Oct. 21, would take place Oct. 18. Organizers rescheduled the meeting for Oct. 21.