MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Coastal Alabama projects will receive around $52 million supported by funding from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Thursday.
The 21 projects focus on environmental education and outreach, boating and recreation access, water quality improvements and other topics included in the 2006 legislation.
The GoMESA shares 37.5% of qualified revenue from oil and gas leases in the Gulf with Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas as well as local governments in those states.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers Alabama’s funds, with Mobile and Baldwin counties receiving separate funding directly from the federal government.
Ivey said that Alabama and the ADCNR has awarded more than $310 million to projects through GoMESA funding during her time as governor.
“Alabama’s coast is one of our state’s greatest treasures, and we have a responsibility to protect it while ensuring Alabamians and our visitors can enjoy all it has to offer,” Ivey said in a press release. “These investments will strengthen our coastal communities, improve access to our waterways and preserve the natural resources that support jobs, tourism and our way of life.
Her announcement came one week after the U.S. Department of the Interior Marine Minerals Administration sold 59 blocks of federal waters in the Gulf, an expansion of offshore oil and gas development. The sale, the third required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, generated around $83 million.
ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said the projects will make environmental and quality of life improvements in Alabama.
“I am grateful for Governor Ivey’s leadership and her support for our coastal restoration projects throughout her Administration,” Blankenship said. “I’m also thankful for our staff at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our project partners as we’ve worked to enhance environmental education, improve water quality and expand access to outdoor recreation along our coast for generations to come.”
The 21 projects set to receive GoMESA funding are:
- City of Mobile Brookley by the Bay: Southern Activation Zone, Phase 1b – $9,000,000
- Alabama Port Authority Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Creation Construction Project – $5,000,000
- Mobile County Commission Byrnewood Boat Ramp and Public Access – $5,000,000
- City of Daphne Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier Construction at Bayfront Park – $5,000,000
- University of South Alabama’s Outdoor Classroom for Habitat Conservation and Stormwater Management – $3,000,000
- ADCNR Boggy Point Boat Launch Renovations – $2,950,000
- City of Fairhope Flying Creek Nature Preserve, Phase 3 – $2,500,000
- ADCNR Weeks Bay Reserve Public Access Improvements, Phase 2 – $2,500,000
- City of Saraland Walter Cofield Park and Boat Launch Improvements, Phase 1 – $2,500,000
- Town of Dauphin Island East End Exploration and Visitor Center at Dauphin Island Campground –$2,200,000
- ADEM Collection of Ambient Water Quality Data in Coastal Alabama Watersheds to Support the Protection and Restoration of Alabama’s Coastal Water Resources – $2,000,000
- Town of Magnolia Springs Town Center – $2,000,000
- City of Semmes Amphitheater and Nature Park – $1,600,000
- Town of Elberta Public Park Improvements – $1,600,000
- City of Orange Beach Shooting Complex Clubhouse – $1,500,000
- City of Bay Minette Kids Park Improvements – $900,000
- Riviera Utilities Coastal Wastewater Resiliency Improvement Project – $800,000
- Perdido Bay Water, Sewer and Fire Protection District Elberta Youth Sportsplex and Hurricane Protection Project – $660,000
- Town of Perdido Beach Comprehensive Drainage Improvements for Hurricane/Coastal Storm Protection – $400,000
- City of Chickasaw Brooks Park Boat Launch – $400,000
- City of Bayou La Batre Rolston Pier Extension Project –$310,000
- GoMESA Administration – $519,529