Mobile and Baldwin counties are getting $41 million through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.
Oil Producing Regions share 37.5 percent of the revenue from oil and gas leases in the Gulf under GOMESA. These funds go toward sewer and land improvements. Communities like Dauphin Island, Daphne, Mobile, Dauphin Island and Foley will all benefit this year.
Jeff Collier is the mayor of Dauphin Island. He said GOMESA funds will be used to renovate a boat ramp and revitalize a marsh on Dauphin Island.
“Our biggest threat is tropical storms, hurricanes and then sea level rise, all the things that go with that," he said. "When we do projects like this, we need to incorporate in best practices so that we can not only protect the natural environment and enhance the environment, but also plan for future changes.”
Leslie Gahagan is the environmental director for Foley. Her city received $2.5 million to expand Graham Creek Nature Preserve this year. She said GOMESA helps the growing Alabama gulf conserve natural lands.
“With the exponential growth that Foley is seeing at this time, we are very excited to get to preserve large tracts of land. This one is mainly for that conservation piece,” she said.
GOMESA has provided funds to Mobile and Baldwin counties since 2006.
