Mobile and Baldwin counties receive $ 41 million under the Gulf of Mexico energy security law.

Oil producing regions share 37.5% of the revenues from oil and gas leases in the Gulf under GOMESA. These funds are used to improve sewers and land. 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 launch and revitalize a marsh on Dauphin Island.

“Our biggest threat is tropical storms, hurricanes, then sea level rise, whatever goes with it,” he said. “When we carry out projects like this, we need to incorporate best practices so that we can not only protect the natural environment and improve the environment, but also plan for future changes.

Leslie Gahagan is the Director of Environment for Foley. His town received $ 2.5 million to expand the Graham Creek Nature Preserve this year. She said GOMESA is helping the growing Gulf of Alabama conserve natural lands.

“With the exponential growth that Foley is seeing right now, we are very happy to be able to preserve large tracts of land. This one is mainly for this conservation piece, ”she said.

GOMESA has been providing funds to Mobile and Baldwin counties since 2006.