Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The State of Alabama is seeking project ideas for a federal grant program related to Gulf oil and gas revenue called GOMESA. The state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is managing it, and the State Lands Division will collect and review all project proposals.

The deadline to submit a project idea is May 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. Congress passed GOMESA in 2006 to expand offshore energy leasing and share revenue with the Gulf states. Alabama is now inviting individuals and organizations to propose how that money should be allocated.

Eligible projects must fall into one of five approved categories. Coastal protection, conservation, and restoration all qualify. So does hurricane protection and infrastructure damaged by wetland loss. Reducing damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources is also included.

Other approved uses include implementing a federally approved coastal or marine conservation plan. Funding can also help reduce the impact of offshore drilling by covering onshore infrastructure costs. Planning assistance and administrative expenses for meeting GOMESA requirements are also eligible.

Project ideas can be sent via email togomesa@dcnr.alabama.gov. Electronic files should be in PDF format with "GOMESA Project Suggestion" in the subject line. Proposals may also be mailed or hand-delivered to the State Lands Division in Spanish Fort.

The address for hard copies is State Lands Division, c/o Jeremiah Kolb, 31115 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527. Officials warn that regular mail has experienced recent delays. They strongly recommend using overnight courier or hand delivery instead.

GOMESA Program Project Suggestion Submittal Format

1. Project Name
2. Submitter Contact Information (including email and phone number)
3. Project Location
4. Project Description
5. Justification (Provide an explanation of how the project is consistent with one or more of the Authorized Uses of GOMESA funding listed above.)
6. Estimated Cost and Detailed Budget (If land acquisition proposal, state whether land cost estimate was derived from an existing appraisal or an alternative method.)
7. Goals and Objectives of the Project
8. Project Schedule that Includes Key Milestones
9. Cost Sharing/Leveraging (Describe cost sharing, in-kind services, or leveraging of resources, if any. Please note that GOMESA funding cannot be used as a non-federal source match for federal funding.)
10. Relationship to Other Efforts (Please describe the relationship, if any, to other existing programs, plans, or projects.)

Ideas submitted after the May 29 deadline will only be reviewed if time permits. It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure the State Lands Division receives the proposal before the deadline. The ADCNR does not guarantee that any project will be funded or implemented.

Questions about the submission process can be emailed togomesa@dcnr.alabama.gov. Updates will be posted at www.outdooralabama.com. The ADCNR manages Alabama's natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.