$67M in Alabama coastal conservation, water quality and recreational projects unveiled

Twenty-seven coastal conservation projects totaling over $67 million were unveiled by Governor Kay Ivey last week.

The funding for the projects come from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GoMESA) which supports sewer infrastructure, water quality improvements, research, land acquisitions and recreational access improvements 

“Working closely with Commissioner Blankenship, I am pleased to report today that over $67 million dollars have been allocated to fund projects to further protect this region and provide quality public accessibility to the rivers, bay and other waterways of South Alabama,” Gov. Ivey said at the GulfQuest Maritime Museum announcement.

How does GoMESA Work?

GoMESA provides for the four Gulf producing states (AL. MS. LA. TX) and their eligible coastal political subdivisions (CPS) to share 37.5 percent of the qualified revenues from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas leases issued since December 20, 2006. With approval from the Governor’s Office, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the funds. Mobile and Baldwin Counties receive separate GOMESA disbursements directly from the Federal government.

Projects

Below is the list of 27 projects that include the acquisition of more than 4740 acres in the West Fowl River and Heron Bay and various recreational projects.

2023 State of Alabama Funded GoMESA Projects

•  Dauphin Island Beach Renourishment Engineering, Design and Permitting:$1,250,000

•  Lewis Landing Public Access Mobile County:$1,500,000

•  Chocolatta Bay Boat Ramp Replacement Mobile Causeway:$650,000

•  Cedar Point Boat Ramp Mobile County:$4,300,000 

•  Foley Nature Parks Expansion:$5,000,000

•  The Launch at CR6 Boat Ramp Baldwin County:$4,820,000

•  Viewpoint Boat Ramp Improvement Weeks Bay:$1,678,800

•  Daphne Bayfront Park Amphitheater and Park Improvements:$7,200,000

•  Chickasaw Stormwater Management Improvements Phase I: $2,474,500

•  Daphne Utilities Hwy 90 Force Main Stabilization:$187,500

•  Robertsdale Centennial Park Amphitheater:$2,000,000

•  Fairhope Magnolia Beach Renourishment: $620,000

•  Fairhope Fly Creek Stream Restoration Project: $2,740,000

•  Mobile County Water, Sewer, and Fire Septic to Sewer Project:$1,327,500

•  Chickasaw Brooks Park Public Access Phase II: $485,000

•  Dauphin Island Water and Sewer Rehabilitation Project: $3,246,455

•  Port of Mobile Coastal Resiliency Study: $200,000

•  Bartram and Perdido Canoe Trails Expansion: $1,906,000

•  USA Healthy Oceans Initiative Phase II: $1,229,154

•  City of Mobile Hall’s Mill Creek Public Access Project: $2,500,000

•  Perdido Watershed Land Acquisition Fund: $7,000,000

•  Spanish Fort Causeway Improvements:$3,000,000

•  GoMESA 2023 Administration: $397,988

•  West Fowl River and Heron Bay Land Acquisition (4,740 acres):$5,214,000 

•  Beach Club West Acquisition: $4,000,000

•  Mt. Vernon Boating Access Improvements:$2,000,000

•  GoMESA Administration 2022: $278,686

Total: $67,205,633

With this announcement, 78 GoMESA projects, worth more than $180 million, have been awarded during the Ivey Administration.

Stay up to date on what’s happening around Alabama—follow The Bama Buzz on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok + LinkedIn.