Posted on June 15, 2026
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MONTOGMERY, Ala. (WALA) – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced on Thursday that the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) approved more than $403 million in funding decisions for restoration efforts spanning the Gulf Coast states.
Among the projects are Alabama Projects Approved by the RESTORE Council is $24 million for Upper Bay Marsh Beneficial Use Wetland Creation .
Here is some information on the project from the Governor’s announcement:
Alabama will construct the first 100-acre wetland restoration cell of a planned 1,200-acre tidal wetland restoration project in Upper Mobile Bay.
The project will use suitable dredged material to create wetlands, restore habitat and strengthen the long-term health and resilience of Mobile Bay.
This project is a continuation of the Upper Mobile Bay Beneficial Use Wetland Creation Site initiative and supports the RESTORE Comprehensive Plan’s goal of restoring and conserving habitat.
The project will create new estuarine marsh through the beneficial use of dredged material while establishing the foundation for future wetland restoration efforts.
“Berth dredging at the Port of Mobile is critical to supporting Alabama’s economic growth, and approval of the project allows us to use this routine practice to restore and strengthen one of our most important natural resources,” said Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO Doug Otto. “This will be one of the largest coastal restoration efforts in Alabama history – one that keeps valuable sediment in Mobile Bay and puts it to work restoring critical wetlands and wildlife habitat. We’re proud to be part of this effort and grateful to ADCNR, the RESTORE Council and the many partners who have helped advance it over the last several years.”
Governor Ivey also says Alabama will benefit with projects totaling $87 million for restoration activities to address injuries resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
Alabama’s projects are part of the RESTORE Council’s Funded Priorities List (FPL) 4.
