Funding will support wetlands restoration, boating access, water quality, parks and environmental education across Mobile and Baldwin counties
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (August 20, 2026) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has announced more than $52.3 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funding for 21 environmental, recreational and infrastructure projects across Coastal Alabama.
The 2026 GoMESA awards will support coastal restoration, environmental education, boating and fishing access, stormwater management, water quality improvements, public parks and hurricane resiliency projects.
The latest round brings the total value of GoMESA projects awarded during Ivey’s administration to more than $310 million.
Alabama’s 2026 GoMESA Funding at a Glance
- More than $52.3 million in total funding
- 21 projects across Coastal Alabama
- $9 million for Brookley by the Bay in Mobile
- $5 million for Upper Mobile Bay wetlands creation
- $5 million for Byrnewood Boat Ramp and public access
- $5 million for a recreation and fishing pier in Daphne
- More than $310 million awarded during Ivey’s administration
“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,” Ivey said.
“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,” she continued. “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 Supports Coastal Restoration and Public Access
The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 allows Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, along with eligible coastal political subdivisions, to share 37.5% of qualified revenues generated by certain Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas leases.
In Alabama, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the state’s GoMESA funding with approval from the Governor’s Office. Mobile and Baldwin counties also receive separate GoMESA distributions directly from the federal government.
The program directs funding toward coastal conservation, hurricane protection, infrastructure, environmental restoration and public access projects.
“The GoMESA projects announced today continue a long list of important environmental and quality-of-life improvements in Coastal Alabama,” ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said.
“I am grateful for Governor Ivey’s leadership and her support for our coastal restoration projects throughout her administration,” Blankenship continued. “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.”
Mobile’s Brookley by the Bay Receives $9 Million
The largest award in the 2026 funding round is $9 million for Phase 1b of the Southern Activation Zone at Brookley by the Bay in Mobile.
The waterfront development is intended to transform former industrial property along Mobile Bay into a major public park and recreational destination.
Three projects will each receive $5 million:
- Alabama Port Authority Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Creation Construction Project
- Mobile County Commission Byrnewood Boat Ramp and Public Access
- City of Daphne Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier at Bayfront Park
Other major awards include $3 million for an outdoor classroom at the University of South Alabama, $2.95 million for renovations to the Boggy Point Boat Launch and $2.5 million each for projects in Fairhope, Weeks Bay and Saraland.
Alabama’s 2026 GoMESA-Funded Projects
The projects receiving state-administered GoMESA funding are:
- City of Mobile — Brookley by the Bay Southern Activation Zone, Phase 1b: $9 million
- Alabama Port Authority — Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Creation Construction Project: $5 million
- Mobile County Commission — Byrnewood Boat Ramp and Public Access: $5 million
- City of Daphne — Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier Construction at Bayfront Park: $5 million
- University of South Alabama — Outdoor Classroom for Habitat Conservation and Stormwater Management: $3 million
- Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources — Boggy Point Boat Launch Renovations:$2.95 million
- City of Fairhope — Flying Creek Nature Preserve, Phase 3: $2.5 million
- Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources — Weeks Bay Reserve Public Access Improvements, Phase 2: $2.5 million
- City of Saraland — Walter Cofield Park and Boat Launch Improvements, Phase 1: $2.5 million
- Town of Dauphin Island — East End Exploration and Visitor Center at Dauphin Island Campground: $2.2 million
- Alabama Department of Environmental Management — Collection of Ambient Water Quality Data in Coastal Alabama Watersheds: $2 million
- Town of Magnolia Springs — Town Center: $2 million
- City of Semmes — Amphitheater and Nature Park: $1.6 million
- Town of Elberta — Public Park Improvements: $1.6 million
- City of Orange Beach — Shooting Complex Clubhouse: $1.5 million
- 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 and 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
An additional $519,529 is allocated for GoMESA program administration, bringing the total announced funding to approximately $52.34 million.
Projects Address Water Quality and Coastal Resiliency
Several of the selected projects will address environmental protection and infrastructure resiliency.
The Alabama Port Authority will receive $5 million for wetlands creation in Upper Mobile Bay, while the Alabama Department of Environmental Management will receive $2 million to collect water quality data in coastal watersheds.
Riviera Utilities will use $800,000 for coastal wastewater resiliency improvements. The Town of Perdido Beach will receive $400,000 for drainage improvements designed to provide greater protection during hurricanes and coastal storms.
Funding will also support nature preserves, environmental education and habitat conservation projects at the University of South Alabama, Flying Creek Nature Preserve and Weeks Bay Reserve.
Investments Expand Boating and Fishing Access
A significant portion of the 2026 GoMESA funding will improve public access to Alabama’s coastal waterways.
The Byrnewood Boat Ramp project will receive $5 million, while Daphne will receive another $5 million to construct a recreation and fishing pier at Bayfront Park.
Additional boating and fishing investments include renovations at Boggy Point, improvements to Walter Cofield Park and Boat Launch, the Brooks Park Boat Launch in Chickasaw and an extension of Rolston Pier in Bayou La Batre.
These investments are expected to improve recreational opportunities for residents and visitors while supporting tourism and coastal quality of life.
Gulf Energy Revenues Fund Alabama Coastal Communities
Ivey’s announcement followed an Aug. 12, 2026, Gulf lease sale conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Marine Minerals Administration.
The sale generated nearly $83 million from 59 blocks in federal Gulf waters. It was the third lease sale required under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Revenue generated through eligible Gulf oil and natural gas leases helps finance GoMESA projects in coastal states and communities. Alabama officials said the program supports projects that protect natural resources, strengthen local infrastructure and expand recreational access while contributing to the region’s long-term economic vitality.
