Local officials in Mobile County say a study will look at safety concerns with building a proposed oil pipeline near the lake that provides most of Mobile's drinking water.
The pipeline project is on hold for now after the city of Semmes placed a stop-work order on construction. The Alabama Public Service Commission approved the pipeline and Mobile County granted a license agreement in March - though county officials say they were unaware of possible threats to Big Creek Lake.
The Mobile Area Water and Sewer Service has ordered a safety report paid for by Plains Southcap, which wants to build the pipeline. County Attorney Jay Ross says he hopes the company can find alternate routes to keep the project away from key parts of the watershed.