Bureau of Land Management Acquires Fowl River Access Site in Alabama
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FLOWOOD, Miss. – The Bureau of Land Management is increasing outdoor recreational opportunities by acquiring 5.1 acres that opens access to more than 40 acres of public land and 300 river miles along the Fowl River in Mobile County, Alabama. The BLM and its partners celebrated the acquisition of the Fowl River Access Site with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 9. The 5.1-acre property was purchased through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a fund authorized by Congress to protect federal lands and waters, support voluntary conservation on private land, and secure public access that bolsters opportunities for recreation.
“The Fowl River Access Site is a great example of how the Bureau of Land Management and its partners are working together to conserve and expand access to public lands for all to enjoy the great outdoors,” said BLM Eastern States State Director Mitchell Leverette. “This acquisition demonstrates the important role of the Land and Water Conservation Fund in ensuring natural resources are protected and promoting outdoor recreation for the benefit of the local community and outdoor enthusiasts for generations to come.”
The BLM partnered with The Trust for Public Land on the acquisition, with the shared goal to provide public access to the adjoining BLM-managed lands in Mobile County.
“Working with The Trust for Public Land on this acquisition was important to serve our shared constituents, who enjoy fishing, boating and kayaking,” said BLM District Manager Robert Swithers. “We have an amazing backdrop for those activities on the Fowl River and what we accomplished here ensures access that is uncomplicated, provides outdoor experiences along refuges and wildlife areas managed by other agencies, and is in the end a tremendous public benefit.”
“The Fowl River is an amazing resource for the people of Mobile County, and this acquisition will ensure more equitable access to the river by providing a launch point for small boats and walk-in access to adjacent BLM lands,” said Stacey Shankle, Senior Project Manager with Trust for Public Land. “We’re excited to partner with BLM to open such a beautiful site to the public and create more opportunities for people to get outside and enjoy nature.”
This project supports the federal government’s America the Beautiful initiative, a decade-long challenge to pursue locally led and voluntary efforts nationwide to conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030. The initiative centers on collaborative conservation, expanding access to public lands, and making outdoor recreation accessible. The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides funding for the acquisition of land, and interest in land, for the benefit of present and future generations. The funding BLM receives is used to support specific conservation, recreation, and other projects to enhance public access to and the management of public land, waters, and resources.
The Fowl River Access Site is located on Rebel Road in Theodore, Alabama, one quarter mile north of the Delchamps Road intersection. The BLM encourages responsible recreation on public lands. To learn more, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation. For information about the Fowl River Access Site, contact BLM Southeastern States Assistant District Manager of Resources Gant Massey at (601) 919-4653.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.