One of the largest funding mechanisms for funding of projects along the Alabama Gulf Coast is GOMESA ( Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act ). The coastal region of the State regularly gets grants from the Governor's office to cover the expense of local projects. Last year Governor Ivey awarded $67 million in funds from the oil and gas exploration.

Ahead of the 2024 disbursement under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA), the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), through its State Lands Division (SLD), is now open to receiving proposals for projects and programs eligible for funding through the Alabama GOMESA Program. The GOMESA, established by Congress in 2006, plays a crucial role in expanding oil and gas leasing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and in revenue sharing within the Gulf of Mexico region.

The GOMESA sets forth authorized uses of proceeds for the following purposes:

a. Projects and activities for the purposes of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetland losses;
b. Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources;
c. Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan;
d. Mitigation of the impact of outer Continental Shelf activities through the funding of onshore infrastructure projects;
e. Planning assistance and the administrative costs of complying with GOMESA.

The ADCNR is accepting project suggestions that meet the authorized uses listed above. Projects submitted to the Alabama Restoration Project Portal will also be considered for funding.

How to Submit a Project Suggestion:

Please see the Project Submittal Format below for submission guidelines. You can also contact Jeremiah Kolb via email at jeremiah.kolb@dcnr.alabama.gov with any questions.

Project suggestions can be submitted as detailed below by email to gomesa@dcnr.alabama.gov*, hand delivery, overnight courier, or regular mail (however, due to recently experienced delays with regular mail, the listed alternative delivery methods are strongly suggested):

State Lands Division
c/o Jeremiah Kolb
31115 Five Rivers Blvd
Spanish Fort, AL 36527

*Please note: Electronic submissions should be emailed in Portable Document Format (.pdf) to gomesa@dcnr.alabama.gov with “GOMESA Project Suggestion” in the subject line.

To ensure sufficient time for review, please submit project suggestions by April 23, 2024, at 5 p.m. project suggestions submitted after this deadline will be reviewed only as time permits. It shall be the sole responsibility of the submitting party to ensure actual receipt by the State Lands Division prior to this deadline.

The ADCNR makes no guarantee that a project suggestion will be implemented.

GOMESA Program Project Submittal Format:

Project Name

Submitter Contact Information (including email and phone number)

Project Location

Project Description

Justification (Provide an explanation of how the project is consistent with one, or more, of the authorized uses of GOMESA funding.)

Estimated Cost and Detailed Budget (If land acquisition proposal, state whether land cost estimate was derived from an existing appraisal or an alternative method.)

Goals and Objectives of the Project

Project Schedule that Includes Key Milestones

Cost Sharing (Describe cost sharing, in-kind services, or leveraging of resources, if any.)

Relationship to Other Efforts (Please describe relationship, if any, to other existing programs, plans, or projects.)

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management, and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.