On Thursday, August 20, Governor Kay Ivey announced more than $52 million for 21 projects in Coastal Alabama supported by funds from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GoMESA). These projects focus on environmental education and outreach, boating access, water quality improvements, recreational access improvements and other important projects that are included in the original intent and authorized use of GoMESA funds.
“Alabama’s coast is one of our state’s greatest treasures, and we have a responsibility to protect it while ensuring Alabamians and our visitors can enjoy all it has to offer,” said Governor Ivey. “These investments will strengthen our coastal communities, improve access to our waterways and preserve the natural resources that support jobs, tourism and our way of life. I am especially proud that, working alongside Commissioner Blankenship and his team at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we have now awarded more than $310 million in GoMESA projects during my Administration – investments that will benefit Coastal Alabama for generations to come.”
GoMESA provides funding for the four Gulf Producing States and their eligible coastal political subdivisions to share 37.5 percent of the qualified revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases issued since December 20, 2006. With approval from the Governor's Office, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) administers the funds. Mobile and Baldwin counties receive separate GoMESA disbursements directly from the federal government.
“The GoMESA projects announced today continue a long list of important environmental and quality of life improvements in Coastal Alabama,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “I am grateful for Governor Ivey’s leadership and her support for our coastal restoration projects throughout her Administration. I’m also thankful for our staff at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our project partners as we’ve worked to enhance environmental education, improve water quality and expand access to outdoor recreation along our coast for generations to come.”
Governor Ivey’s announcement comes a week after the August 12, 2026, Gulf lease sale conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior Marine Minerals Administration. Lease sales are part of the offshore oil and gas development process, an important economic driver for high-wage jobs, low-cost energy and revenue sharing programs that are vital to Alabama’s coastal communities. The August 12 sale generated nearly $83 million for 59 blocks of federal waters within the Gulf and was the third sale required under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as The One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
2026 State of Alabama Funded GOMESA Projects
- City of Mobile Brookley by the Bay: Southern Activation Zone, Phase 1b – $9,000,000
- Alabama Port Authority Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Creation Construction Project – $5,000,000
- Mobile County Commission Byrnewood Boat Ramp and Public Access – $5,000,000
- City of Daphne Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier Construction at Bayfront Park – $5,000,000
- University of South Alabama’s Outdoor Classroom for Habitat Conservation and Stormwater Management – $3,000,000
- ADCNR Boggy Point Boat Launch Renovations – $2,950,000
- City of Fairhope Flying Creek Nature Preserve, Phase 3 – $2,500,000
- ADCNR Weeks Bay Reserve Public Access Improvements, Phase 2 – $2,500,000
- City of Saraland Walter Cofield Park and Boat Launch Improvements, Phase 1 – $2,500,000
- Town of Dauphin Island East End Exploration and Visitor Center at Dauphin Island Campground –$2,200,000
- ADEM Collection of Ambient Water Quality Data in Coastal Alabama Watersheds to Support the Protection and Restoration of Alabama’s Coastal Water Resources – $2,000,000
- Town of Magnolia Springs Town Center – $2,000,000
- City of Semmes Amphitheater and Nature Park – $1,600,000
- Town of Elberta Public Park Improvements – $1,600,000
- City of Orange Beach Shooting Complex Clubhouse – $1,500,000
- City of Bay Minette Kids Park Improvements – $900,000
- Riviera Utilities Coastal Wastewater Resiliency Improvement Project – $800,000
- Perdido Bay Water, Sewer and Fire Protection District Elberta Youth Sportsplex and Hurricane Protection Project – $660,000
- Town of Perdido Beach Comprehensive Drainage Improvements for Hurricane/Coastal Storm Protection – $400,000
- City of Chickasaw Brooks Park Boat Launch – $400,000
- City of Bayou La Batre Rolston Pier Extension Project –$310,000
- GoMESA Administration – $519,529
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