Pic 4 Photo 2048X1152 1 — (Port of Mobile)

The Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Project was at the center of two major developments announced this week by the Alabama Port Authority.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced the project will receive $24 million in funding from the RESTORE Act. The Port Authority also officially signed a permit to begin construction on the project.

The new site is expected to create hundreds of acres of wetlands south of the Causeway, turning eligible dredged material into restored habitat that benefits fisheries, wildlife and coastal resilience.

The project is considered the only dedicated beneficial use site in Mobile Bay.

“Wetland restoration in Mobile Bay is vital to our coastal communities, and I am proud to advocate for RESTORE Act funding for this project. I commend the Port Authority and the Corps for their vision and persistence in securing this permit, which ensures dredged material will be used in the most beneficial way possible.”
Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the ADCNR

Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Project

Proposedconceptdesignlayout — Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Project renderings

The permit for construction marks the final step in a comprehensive process driven by the Port’s commitment to expand beneficial use opportunities.

This project has been in the works for nearly a decade with the engineering, design, and permitting funded by the Restore Council in 2017. This effort ensures that dredged material supports environmental protection, coastal resilience, and economic growth.

“Beneficial use is not just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic approach that allows us to grow responsibly while protecting the natural assets that make Alabama competitive. We are especially grateful to Commissioner Blakenship for his leadership in advocating for RESTORE dollars. Having both the funding commitment and the USACE permit in hand is the catalyst we need to move forward with this project and to pave the way for additional beneficial use opportunities across Mobile Bay.”
Doug Otto, Director & CEO of the Alabama Port Authority

The Port has already advanced several beneficial use projects tied to the construction of the 50-foot channel, including relic shell restoration, shoreline protection at Dauphin Island and wetlands restoration at Deer River.