Old River Boat Launch

September 21, 2007 -- As anyone who lives in, or travels around Orange Beach on busy summer weekends know, the two boat launches and parking areas are overloaded. Boat trailers lining up on the roadways and watercraft lined up at the launches clearly demonstrate that the Orange Beach boating community is in dire need of additional launch facilities. Following is an article that appears in today's Mobile Press-Resister...

City eyes Old River launch
Faced with protests from Ono, state officials hesitant to allow facility

Friday, September 21, 2007
By RYAN DEZEMBER, Mobile Press-Register Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- City officials unveiled plans this week for a $2 million public boat launch on a state-owned tract, but Alabama's top conservation official said he's unsure whether he'll approve the Perdido Key project amid protests from some Ono Island residents.

At a public meeting Tuesday night, about 70 people viewed plans for the facility, which would include five ramps into Old River just across the waterway from the western tip of the gated island community. City officials have long contended that a third public launch is needed to relieve overcrowding at facilities on Boggy Point and Cotton Bayou. On busy summer weekends, it's not uncommon for boat trailers to be parked haphazardly along roads leading to the ramps.

Click here to read the full story from the Mobile Press-Register.