Posted on July 24, 2023
More than $67 million will be coming to Alabama for 27 projects funded by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, known as GOMESA. Gov. Kay Ivey made the announcement on Friday during an event at the GulfQuest Maritime Museum in Mobile.
The projects focus on sewer infrastructure, water quality improvements, research, land acquisitions and recreational access improvements. These types of projects are included in the original intent and use of GOMESA funds, according to the press release.
The 2006 act created a revenue-sharing model for oil- and gas-producing gulf states. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas receive a portion of the revenue generated from oil and gas production offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The department’s website says GOMESA funds are to be used for coastal conservation, restoration and hurricane protection. According to the act, money can be distributed to the states and coastal political subdivisions, defined as within a coastal zone and not more than 200 nautical miles from the center of a leased track. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the state funds. Mobile and Baldwin counties receive separate GOMESA disbursements directly from the federal government.
Since 2009, the state and the two counties have received about $190 million in funding.
Ivey shared her appreciation for the partnerships and communities that help implement these projects.
“Other projects announced today will vastly improve water quality in Mobile Bay by making sewer infrastructure improvements, convert septic tanks to sanitary sewers and perform vital streambank and shoreline restorations,” she said. “The remainder will study ways to improve the resiliency of our port and bolster the scientific knowledge base of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as prepare our next generation of scientists and leaders through the University of South Alabama’s Healthy Oceans Initiative.”
2023 funded GoMESA projects:
- Dauphin Island Beach Renourishment Engineering, Design and Permitting: $1,200,000
- Lewis Landing Public Access Mobile County: $1,500,000
- Chocolatta Bay Boat Ramp Replacement Mobile Causeway: $650,000
- Cedar Point Boat Ramp Mobile County: $4,300,000
- Foley Nature Parks Expansion: $5,000,000
- The Launch at CR6 Boat Ramp Baldwin County: $4,820,000
- Viewpoint Boat Ramp Improvement Weeks Bay: $1,678,800
- Daphne Bayfront Park Amphitheater and Park Improvements: $7,200,000
- Chickasaw Stormwater Management Improvements Phase I: $2,474,500
- Daphne Utilities Hwy 90 Force Main Stabilization: $187,500
- Robertsdale Centennial Park Amphitheater: $2,000,000
- Fairhope Magnolia Beach Renourishment: $620,000
- Fairhope Fly Creek Stream Restoration Project: $2,740,000
- Mobile County Water, Sewer, and Fire Septic to Sewer Project: $1,327,500
- Chickasaw Brooks Park Public Access Phase II: $485,000
- Dauphin Island Water and Sewer Rehabilitation Project: $3,246,455
- Port of Mobile Coastal Resiliency Study: $200,000
- Bartram and Perdido Canoe Trails Expansion: $1,906,000
- USA Healthy Oceans Initiative Phase II: $1,229,154
- City of Mobile Hall’s Mill Creek Public Access Project: $2,500,000
- Perdido Watershed Land Acquisition Fund: $7,000,000
- Spanish Fort Causeway Improvements: $3,000,000
- GoMESA 2023 Administration: $397,988
- West Fowl River and Heron Bay Land Acquisition (4,740 acres): $5,214,000
- Beach Club West Acquisition: $4,000,000
- Mt. Vernon Boating Access Improvements: $2,000,000
- GoMESA Administration 2022: $278,686
