State of Alabama Coastal Impact Assistance Program

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58) was signed into law by President Bush on August 8, 2005. Section 384 of the Act establishes the Coastal Impact Assistanc Program (CIAP), which authorizes funds to be distributed to Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas producing States for the conservation, protection and preservation of coastal areas, including wetlands. The CIAP legislation appropriated $250 million per year for fiscal years 2007 through 2010 to be distributed among eligible producing States and the coastal political subdivisions. The State of Alabama is one of six states eligible to receive CIAP funding. In addition to Alabama, other CIAP recipient states include: Alaska, California, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) was designated as the lead agency for development and implementation of the CIAP. The State Lands Division provides primary day-to-day management of the program for the ADCNR and has coordinated closely with the coastal political subdivisions in development of a CIAP Plan. A CIAP Plan must first be approved by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) prior to receiving CIAP funding for any specific project identified in the Plan.

In Alabama, the CIAP eligible recipients are the State of Alabama (through the ADCNR), the Baldwin County Commission and the Mobile County Commission. In total, the state will receive $51,103,214.08 for fiscal years 2007 and 2008. Of this funding amount, $33,217,089.16 will be available to the State of Alabama, $7,894,094.64 will be available to the Baldwin County Commission and $9,902,030.28 will be available to the Mobile County Commission. This funding will be utilized to implement projects outlined in the CIAP Plan. Approved projects must meet the following authorized uses, as established by Congress:

1. Projects and activities for the conservation, protection or restoration of coastal areas, including wetlands;

2. Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife or natural resources;

3. Planning assistance and the administrative costs of complying with CIAP;

4. Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal or comprehensive conservation management plan; and

5. Mitigation of the impact of OCS activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects and public service needs.

On April 21, 2009, the BOEMRE approved the State of Alabama Final CIAP Plan for FY 2007 and 2008. A copy of the State of Alabama Final CIAP Plan for FY 2007 and FY 2008 is available for download below:

State of Alabama CIAP Plan for FY 2007 and FY 2008

The State of Alabama, Baldwin County Commission, and Mobile County Commission are developing the State of Alabama CIAP Plan Amendment for FY 2009 and FY 2010. For more information please click the link below:

State of Alabama CIAP Plan Amendment for FY 2009 and FY 2010

Federal CIAP Resources

ALDCNR Offshore Infrastructure Geodatabase

For additional information regarding the State of Alabama CIAP, please contact us via email at dcnr.ciap@dcnr.alabama.gov or as indicated below: