$100 million in offshore oil revenues to help Mississippi coastal restoration projects

Over $100 million from a federal revenue-sharing initiative will help upgrade infrastructure and restoration efforts along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) of 2006 created a revenue-sharing model for oil- and gas-producing gulf states. Under the act, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas receive a portion of the revenue generated from oil and gas production offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed House Bill 1636 on Wednesday, April 13 that appropriated $101.1 million to projects in the state.

Projects include:

•    $2,000,000 to assist the City of Pascagoula with the Live Oak Corridor Drainage to Remedy Flooding

•    $1,200,000 to assist the City of Gulfport with the North Gulfport Wastewater Treatment Plant UV Disinfection

•    $10,650,000 to assist the Hancock County Utility Authority with the Stennis Space Center Wastewater Conveyance Project

•    $2,693,000 to assist the City of Long Beach with the Small Craft Harbor Eastern Bulkhead Improvements

•    $2,590,000 to assist the City of Pass Christian with the West Breakwater Wall Hurricane Mitigation Improvements

•    $2,000,000 to assist the Department of Marine Resources with Oyster Spat

•    $1,000,000 to assist the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies with Monitoring and Evaluation of Sea Turtle Nesting in Mississippi

•    $532,242 to assist the University of Southern Mississippi with the Mississippi Coastal Fishery Resource Assessment

•    $1,749,220 to assist the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission with Bank Mitigation

•    $1,195,571 to assist the University of Southern Mississippi with Oak Island Oyster Company in the Development and Testing of an Off Bottom Oyster Structure

•    $750,000 to assist Jackson County with Coastal Roadway Hurricane Protection