Sixteen environmental and recreational projects across Mobile and Baldwin counties are set to receive a combined $26.1 million after Gov. Kay Ivey approved the latest round of funding from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act Program, known as GOMESA.
GOMESA channels a share of federal oil and gas revenue back to the Gulf Coast states where that energy is produced. Alabama has used its share to fund coastal restoration and public access projects, though the program has periodically faced pressure from lawmakers who wanted to redirect the money elsewhere in the state budget.
In announcing this round of awards, Ivey said the funding reflects the state’s responsibility to protect the coastline that bears the brunt of the impact from Gulf energy production. “Alabama’s Gulf Coast is a foundation for our state’s natural beauty, and it is imperative that we be good stewards to that area,” Ivey said in a statement. “The GOMESA funds made available to Alabama are providing aid to make various improvement and conservation projects possible. From research lab support to improving areas for Alabamians and our visitors to enjoy, these funds will go a long way in preserving this special place in our state.”
The awards followed a call for project proposals issued in January 2020 by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The agency received more than 60 suggestions from the public before narrowing the list down to the 16 selected projects.
Some of the largest grants went to the Baldwin County Commission for a new boat launch on the Intracoastal Waterway, to ADCNR for habitat protection along the Perdido River, to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab for a new marine research vessel, to the Mobile County Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority for a septic-to-sewer conversion project, and to the Mobile County Commission to carry out a public access master plan.
Baldwin County projects
In Baldwin County, funding will go toward parking improvements at the Weeks Bay and Fish River boat ramp ($550,000), construction of public boating access along the Intracoastal Waterway ($2,601,500), an expansion of the city of Foley’s nature parks ($3,000,000), and ADCNR’s habitat protection work in the Perdido River watershed ($3,720,000).
Mobile County projects
Mobile County’s share of the funding includes public access enhancements at Chickasaw’s Brooks Landing ($274,990), public access improvements at the Steele Creek Lodge in Satsuma ($1,024,141), boating access improvements at the Little Billy Goat Hole on Dauphin Island ($450,000), a new marine science research vessel for the Dauphin Island Sea Lab ($3,250,000), a manatee sighting network also run by the Sea Lab ($149,838), exhibit and educational upgrades at GulfQuest ($76,800), a boat launch at Three Mile Creek through the Alabama State Port Authority ($150,000), an Auburn University oyster enhancement project in Little Dauphin Bay ($633,502), septic-to-sewer improvements in Bayou La Batre ($2,427,300), a second phase of septic-to-sewer work through the Mobile County Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority ($3,697,500), and implementation of the Mobile County Commission’s public access master plan ($3,500,000).
Together, the 16 projects touch on habitat restoration, boating and public access, wastewater infrastructure and marine science, reflecting the range of needs identified by coastal Alabama communities during the public comment process.