Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday she has given initial approval to move forward with development and implementation of 15 projects from the Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act Program distribution. The combined total of all projects, when implemented, will be $28,722,000.
“I am proud to be from Alabama the beautiful. When the oil spill impacted our Gulf Coast, we began working tirelessly to make sure we protected that area’s abundant natural resources, so that future generations could still know us as Alabama the beautiful,” Ivey said. “With projects like these, we’re able to restore and conserve our state’s natural beauty. Once all details are finalized, I look forward to seeing the full implementation of these 15 approved projects.”
In January 2019, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued a call for project suggestions for the Alabama GOMESA distribution. The ADCNR received 58 project suggestions from the public. These project suggestions, as well as projects submitted through the Alabama Restoration Project Portal, were considered for GOMESA funding.
Many of the submitted project suggestions would be beneficial to the state of Alabama. However, the amount of GOMESA funding each year restricts the number of projects that can be selected for implementation.
The ADNCR will work with the project sponsors on the implementation of the 15 projects and provide support to accomplish the goals and objectives of the recommended projects.
“ADCNR staff will now work with the project submitters to further develop the projects to obtain all the information that is needed for final approval and implementation,” said ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “Several of these projects will increase boating access and recreational opportunities in coastal Alabama that is so important to the quality of life along the coast.”
The governor and ADCNR expect future GOMESA disbursements. The Governor’s Office and the ADCNR will continue to evaluate funding opportunities for GOMESA projects.
U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt recently announced that the department was disbursing almost $30.6 million to Alabama and its coastal Baldwin and Mobile counties.
This represents the second disbursement under Phase II of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. The funds are derived from qualified oil and gas leasing revenues on the Outer Continental Shelf and disbursed in accordance with the revenue-sharing provisions of the GOMESA legislation.
