MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Gov. Kay Ivey announced more than $30 million for 25 coastal Alabama projects related to outreach and environmental education, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, water quality improvements and recreational access improvements.
The projects are supported by funds from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. The 2006 act created a revenue-sharing model for oil- and gas-producing gulf states. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas receive a portion of the revenue generated from oil and gas production offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“Working closely with Commissioner (Chris) Blankenship and his team at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural resources, we have secured more than $30 million dollars to fund the projects that improve and beautify this region we all love,” Ivey said. “With this announcement, more than $210 million dollars in GoMESA projects have been awarded during the Ivey Administration.”
Last year’s allocation was $67 million.
Blankenship said the funds will improve quality of life in coastal Alabama.
“The nature-based education, water quality improvements and public access expansion projects announced today will have a long term positive impact,” he said.
According to the act, money can be distributed to the states and coastal political subdivisions, defined as within a coastal zone and not more than 200 nautical miles from the center of a leased track.
2024 funded GoMESA projects, totaling $30,399,911:
- City of Creola Park, conservation and education project: $1,000,000
- Exploreum Science Center traveling exhibit gallery refurbishment: $829,012
- Dauphin Island programmatic dredge permit: $300,000
- Loxley Municipal Park wetlands acquisition project: $650,000
- Fairhope Flying Creek Nature Preserve phase II: $1,328,400
- Summerdale Miracle League Ballfields: $1,538,000
- Dauphin Island Middle Beach access improvements: $1,500,000
- Orange Beach Schools Sea, Sand, and Stars Education project: $979,864
- Meaher State Park Headquarters camp store project: $1,100,000
- Mobile County Cedar Point boat ramp phase II: $2,753,440
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s manatee sighting network: $182,461
- Town of Perdido Beach comprehensive drainage improvements: $307,670
- National Maritime Museum improvements (Mobile): $2,250,000
- Saraland water and sewer system upgrades: $1,523,700
- Blakeley Park waterfront access improvement project: $1,970,500
- Mobile Riverfront Park enhancements – phase II: $3,023,667
- Dauphin Island sewer collection system improvements 2024: $2,965,981
- Daphne sewer lift station permanent bypass pumps – priority 1: $499,500
- Daphne sewer lift station permanent bypass pumps – priority 2: $445,500
- Mobile County/TNC Coden Bayou land acquisition project: $753,575
- City of Prichard Sweeney Lane Bridge: $650,000
- Honor Park – a City of Spanish Fort project: $3,000,000
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab Alabama Aquarium improvements: $200,000
- USA Lower Alabama Beach Education facility: $250,000
- GoMESA Administration: $398,641