Dale County Chronicle
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday that more than $52 million will be invested in 21 projects across Coastal Alabama through funding from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, known as GoMESA.
The projects include investments in environmental education and outreach, boating access, water quality, recreational facilities, coastal resiliency and other improvements intended to benefit Alabama’s coastal communities.
“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. “These investments will strengthen our coastal communities, improve access to our waterways and preserve the natural resources that support jobs, tourism and our way of life.”
Ivey also highlighted the total amount of GoMESA funding awarded during her administration.
“I am especially proud that, working alongside Commissioner Blankenship and his team at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we have now awarded more than $310 million in GoMESA projects during my Administration – investments that will benefit Coastal Alabama for generations to come,” she said.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the state’s GoMESA funds with approval from the governor’s office. The program allows the four Gulf-producing states and eligible coastal political subdivisions to receive 37.5% of qualified revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases issued since Dec. 20, 2006.
Mobile and Baldwin counties receive separate GoMESA disbursements directly from the federal government.
Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said the latest projects build on previous coastal investments.
“The GoMESA projects announced today continue a long list of important environmental and quality of life improvements in Coastal Alabama,” Blankenship said. “I am grateful for Governor Ivey’s leadership and her support for our coastal restoration projects throughout her Administration.”
Blankenship also credited ADCNR employees and local project partners for their work.
“I’m also thankful for our staff at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our project partners as we’ve worked to enhance environmental education, improve water quality and expand access to outdoor recreation along our coast for generations to come,” he said.
The announcement came one week after an Aug. 12 Gulf lease sale conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. According to the governor’s office, the sale generated nearly $83 million from 59 blocks of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
The lease sale was the third required under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
2026 GoMESA-funded projects
The projects receiving state GoMESA funding include:
City of Mobile, Brookley by the Bay: Southern Activation Zone, Phase 1b — $9 million
Alabama Port Authority, Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Creation Construction Project — $5 million
Mobile County Commission, Byrnewood Boat Ramp and Public Access — $5 million
City of Daphne, Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier Construction at Bayfront Park — $5 million
University of South Alabama, Outdoor Classroom for Habitat Conservation and Stormwater Management — $3 million
ADCNR, Boggy Point Boat Launch Renovations — $2.95 million
City of Fairhope, Flying Creek Nature Preserve, Phase 3 — $2.5 million
ADCNR, Weeks Bay Reserve Public Access Improvements, Phase 2 — $2.5 million
City of Saraland, Walter Cofield Park and Boat Launch Improvements, Phase 1 — $2.5 million
Town of Dauphin Island, East End Exploration and Visitor Center at Dauphin Island Campground — $2.2 million
Alabama Department of Environmental Management, collection of ambient water quality data in coastal Alabama watersheds — $2 million
Town of Magnolia Springs, Town Center — $2 million
City of Semmes, Amphitheater and Nature Park — $1.6 million
Town of Elberta, Public Park Improvements — $1.6 million
City of Orange Beach, Shooting Complex Clubhouse — $1.5 million
City of Bay Minette, Kids Park Improvements — $900,000
Riviera Utilities, Coastal Wastewater Resiliency Improvement Project — $800,000
Perdido Bay Water, Sewer and Fire Protection District, Elberta Youth Sportsplex and Hurricane Protection Project — $660,000
Town of Perdido Beach, Comprehensive Drainage Improvements for Hurricane/Coastal Storm Protection — $400,000
City of Chickasaw, Brooks Park Boat Launch — $400,000
City of Bayou La Batre, Rolston Pier Extension Project — $310,000
GoMESA Administration — $519,529
The projects represent a broad range of investments designed to improve public access to Alabama’s waterways, protect coastal resources, strengthen infrastructure and expand recreational opportunities.
For Coastal Alabama communities, the funding also represents a direct connection between offshore energy development and investments in the state’s coastal environment and quality of life.
Did you like this feature?