Alabama Awards $52 Million for Gulf Coast Projects

More than $52 million is headed to Alabama's Gulf Coast for projects ranging from new boat ramps and fishing piers to parks, wetlands and water quality improvements.

Governor Kay Ivey announced Thursday that 21 projects in Coastal Alabama will receive funding through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, commonly known as GoMESA.

The projects are spread throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties and focus on environmental education, water quality, boating and recreational access, conservation and other coastal improvements.

“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.

The largest award is $9 million for the next phase of Brookley by the Bay in Mobile.

Several other projects will receive $5 million each, including the Alabama Port Authority's Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Creation project, improvements to the Byrnewood Boat Ramp and public access area in Mobile County and construction of the Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier at Bayfront Park in Daphne.

Other major investments include $3 million for an outdoor classroom focused on habitat conservation and stormwater management at the University of South Alabama, nearly $3 million for renovations to the Boggy Point Boat Launch and $2.5 million each for projects at the Flying Creek Nature Preserve in Fairhope, Weeks Bay Reserve and Walter Cofield Park in Saraland.

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Dauphin Island will receive $2.2 million for an East End Exploration and Visitor Center at the Dauphin Island Campground.

Projects are also planned in communities including Magnolia Springs, Semmes, Elberta, Orange Beach, Bay Minette, Perdido Beach, Chickasaw and Bayou La Batre.

According to Ivey's office, more than $310 million in GoMESA projects have now been awarded during her administration.

Some of the Largest Awards

* Brookley by the Bay in Mobile – $9 million
* Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Creation – $5 million
* Byrnewood Boat Ramp and Public Access – $5 million
* Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier in Daphne – $5 million
* University of South Alabama Outdoor Classroom – $3 million
* Boggy Point Boat Launch Renovations – $2.95 million
* Flying Creek Nature Preserve in Fairhope – $2.5 million
* Weeks Bay Reserve Public Access Improvements – $2.5 million
* Walter Cofield Park and Boat Launch in Saraland – $2.5 million
* Dauphin Island East End Exploration and Visitor Center – $2.2 million

GoMESA allows four Gulf-producing states and eligible coastal communities to receive a share of revenues generated from certain offshore oil and gas leases in the Gulf. In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the state's funding with approval from the governor's office. Mobile and Baldwin counties also receive separate GoMESA payments directly from the federal government.

The latest announcement follows an August 12 Gulf lease sale that generated nearly $83 million for 59 blocks of federal waters.

ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said the latest projects will continue efforts to improve quality of life along Alabama's coast while protecting its natural resources.

“The GoMESA projects announced today continue a long list of important environmental and quality of life improvements in Coastal Alabama,” Blankenship said.

From new places to fish and launch a boat to improvements aimed at protecting wetlands and water quality, the $52 million investment will touch communities across Alabama's Gulf Coast.