Final Alabama Gulf Coast Deepwater Horizon restoration grants awarded

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has approved 5 new coastal restoration projects in Alabama totaling more than $47 million. 

The projects are the final funding obligations from the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF). The restoration fund was created 10 years ago, undertaken by NFWF to support projects in Alabama following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon tragedy. 

Since its inception, projects in Alabama totaled more than $356 million.

The final five projects in program granted are:

• Dauphin Island East End Restoration—Phase II                      
• Gulf Highlands Conservation Acquisition—Amendment          
• Lower Fish River Watershed Restoration—Phase II             
• Wolf and Sandy Creek Headwaters Restoration—Phase II       
• Alabama Coastal Adaptive Management                                       

“As we celebrate Alabama’s 2022 slate of NFWF projects and announce the final allocation of Alabama’s portion of the Gulf Environmental Benefit Funds, we recognize another landmark in Alabama’s recovery from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill disaster,” said Governor Kay Ivey in a news release.

Grants Making a Difference

 Over the past decade, NFWF’s investments have made significant contributions to the long-term sustainability of critical coastal resources in Alabama, including:

• Nearly 9,000 acres of important habitats acquired, conserved, restored or enhanced
• Nearly 11 miles of vulnerable shoreline protected
• Improved water quality through three miles of stream restoration that will avoid 50-70 million pounds of sediment annually 
• More than 250 acres of artificial reef habitat and thousands of artificial reefs installed to enhance fish productivity
• Sustainable fisheries management through comprehensive science and monitoring
• Increased capacity and habitat enhancements to bolster populations of coastal birds, marine mammals, and sea turtles
• Restoration of more than 800 acres of oyster reef habitat

Since its inception, the GEBF has supported 47 natural resource projects in Alabama and worked with 39 implementing partners. These projects leverage or complement nearly $200 million in other funding for a total conservation impact of more than $555 million to benefit natural resources negatively affected by the 2010 oil spill.

“Today’s announcement represents the culmination of historic conservation investments in Alabama following the Deepwater Horizon tragedy,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF.  “Working closely with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we have made strategic investments that support fish and wildlife and their habitats. These projects will continue to enhance the productivity and resilience of the Alabama coast for decades to come.”

Interactive Map

An interactive story map of Alabama projects supported by GEBF can be found here.

For more information on coastal restoration projects in Alabama from all Deepwater Horizon funding sources, please visit https://www.alabamacoastalrestoration.org.