Alabama's Ivey announces $30M in GOMESA projects

(The Center Square) – Gov. Kay Ivey announced $30 million for 25 projects for coastal Alabama from federal oil and gas royalties on Tuesday.

The $30,399,911 originates from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, better known as GOMESA, which is a revenue-sharing model for oil- and gas-producing Gulf states.

The biggest outlays were slightly more than $3 million for improvements to Mobile's Riverfront Park, and $3 million for the Honor Park in Spanish Fort on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. Nearly $3 million was allocated for sewer improvements at Dauphin Island, which will also receive $1.5 million for improving access to Middle Beach. The nearby Cedar Point Pier, owned by Mobile County on Dauphin Island Parkway, will receive $2.75 million for a new boat ramp.

"Working closely with Commissioner Chris Blankenship and his team at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we have secured more than $30 million to fund the projects that improve and beautify this region we all love," Ivey said in a release. "One of the main themes for this year’s projects is Environmental and Nature Education and Outreach. Teaching future generations about the importance of protecting Alabama the Beautiful and all her natural habitats, wildlife and fish is critical. Several of these projects will make improvements at museums, education facilities, aquariums and along the waterfront – all to educate Alabamians and our visitors from far and wide."

The four Gulf states – Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas – and their eligible political subdivisions such as cities and counties receive 37.5% of the oil and gas lease revenues. Both Mobile and Baldwin counties receive separate GOMESA revenues.

According to state officials, more than $210 million in projects have been awarded during the Ivey administration.

"The GOMESA projects announced today will go a long way to continuing to improve the environment and quality of life in Coastal Alabama," Blankenship said in a release. "I appreciate the work of the staff at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our project partners as they work to leverage GoMESA funded projects with the good work happening with Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill projects and other funding sources."