Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council opens a 45-day public comment period – adds $33 million to plan
On Wednesday, the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council (AGCRC) released an amendment to the State Expenditure Plan (SEP) for a 45-day public comment period. The Council is considering adding $33 million to the budgets for the projects due to cost overruns and dropping repairs to the Alabama Point Seawall Repair Project altogether as the cost of the project has proven to be cost prohibitive. The Council is seeking public comment on these proposed changes to the SEP. In 2019, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE) approved the State’s initial SEP. This SEP contained 29 projects totaling approximately $132 Million. All 29 of these projects were found to address one or more goals of the RESTORE Council’s Comprehensive Plan. In 2021, the State’s SEP was amended to add $37,161,000 in contingency funds to augment the budgets of the approved SEP projects and programs in response to cost increases for labor, materials, and other considerations. The planned projects are proving to be even more expensive. This latest amendment to the State’s SEP proposes approving an additional $33,000,000 in contingency funds to further augment the budgets of the approved SEP projects and programs. This is needed due to cost increases for labor, materials, and other considerations. All other projects, programs, and the corresponding details/provisions approved in the initial Alabama SEP remain in full effect. The contingency funding aims to enable approved SEP projects and programs to be completed as previously described in the SEP. These funds are not to be used for new projects or programs or to change the overall scope or objective of approved SEP projects or programs. Proposed repairs to the Alabama Point Seawall have proven too expensive for the AGCRC to accomplish. As a result, this amendment proposes closing the SEP #21 Alabama Point Seawall Repair project without accomplishing the full design and construction. Surveyors discovered that the damage to the seawall structure was more severe than expected. A cost analysis determined the construction budget was not sufficient to cover the full cost of the repairs. If this amendment is approved, then the funds that were appropriated for the Seawall repair will be returned to the contingency fund to be used to cover costs associated with the other 28 SEP projects. The AGCRC was created by the passage of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). The 10-member AGCRC council is headed by the Governor, who serves as the chair. The other members of the Council are; the Director of the Alabama State Port Authority, who serves as vice-chair; the Chairman of the Baldwin County Commission; the President of the Mobile County Commission; and the Mayors of Bayou La Batre, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Gulf Shores, Mobile, and Orange Beach. The public comment period on this Draft State Expenditure Plan Amendment will be open until October 6, 2023. Comments can be submitted online at agcrc@dcnr.alabama.gov or mailed to: Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council, 31115 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL 36527. The AGCRC will hold an in-person public meeting on November 1, 2023, at 10 am to vote on the amendment. In addition to the 45-day comment period, public comments will be accepted at the in-person meeting. Comments received by the October 6, 2023 deadline and any received at the public meeting will be reviewed and considered in preparing the Final State Expenditure Plan Amendment. The RESTORE Act was passed in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill that released millions of gallons of oil into the gulf, killing wildlife and leaving Gulf Coast economies in shambles due to the loss of tourist and seafood revenues. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rauf Bolden: Oil spill monies lost in Orange Beach
James Madison said, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance.” In Orange Beach we need to seek knowledge from our elected officials. Searching the Internet I found $192,416,759 in oil spill funds was approved by the US Treasury (USDT) and the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council (AGCRC) for the State of Alabama’s multiyear implementation plan for Gulf Coast Recovery (RESTORE). The bad news is Orange Beach’s projects did not receive one award for funding. This fact was never shared with the constituents of Orange Beach in a council meeting or in a press release. Should we follow James Madison’s lead, seeking knowledge over ignorance, asking who was responsible for administering grant applications, quizzing them, perhaps we were just outplayed or out-coached, and unable to get across the finish line. Our taxpayers should know why we were excluded from these monies, knowing our coast was directly affected by the oil spill. Fifteen projects were approved in their respective jurisdictions, according to a report by Elizabeth Patton in Alabama Today: Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability, City of Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, Ala. Aloe Bay Harbour Town Phases I, II and III, Town of Dauphin Island, Mobile County, Ala. Redevelop Bayou La Batre City Docks Phases I, II and III, City of Bayou La Batre, Mobile County, Ala. Water Distribution System Upgrades, City of Bayou La Batre, Mobile County, Ala. Northwest Satsuma Water and Sewer Project, City of Satsuma, Mobile County, Ala. Mount Vernon Water Treatment Plant (WTP), Town of Mount Vernon, Mobile County, Ala. Mobile County Blueway Trail Development, Mobile County, Ala. Baldwin Beach Express I-10 to I-65 Extension, Baldwin County, Ala. Baldwin County ALDOT Capacity Improvements, Baldwin County, Ala. Alabama State Port Authority Automotive Logistics/RO-RO Terminal, City of Mobile, Mobile County, Ala. Historic Africatown Welcome Center, City of Mobile, Mobile County, Ala. Innovating St. Louis Street, Mobile’s Technology Corridor, City of Mobile, Mobile County, Ala. Mobile Greenway Initiative, City of Mobile, Mobile County, Ala. Working Waterfront and Green-space Restoration Project, City of Fairhope, Baldwin County, Ala. Planning Grant to Amend Multiyear Implementation Plan, Mobile and Baldwin Counties, Ala., The decision-makers planned the process and evaluated the selections. The judging panel consisted of elected officials at the city, county and state level: The mayor of Orange Beach The mayor of Gulf Shores The mayor of Fairhope The mayor of Mobile The mayor of Bayou La Batre The mayor of Dauphin Island The chairman of the Baldwin County Commission The president of the Mobile County Commission The governor, who served as chair, with former Congressman Jo Bonner serving as Governor Ivey’s representative in her absence The director of the Alabama State Port Authority, who serves as vice-chair, Every decision-maker secured funding for a project in his or her jurisdiction except Orange Beach. Are we so rich we can let $192,416,759 in RESTORE funding slide through our fingers like grains of sand? The final multiyear implementation plan details the parameters the decision makers faced, dividing up $192,416,759 in RESTORE funds, according to the Federal Office of Budget Management (OMB Approval No. 1505-0250). The key issue for constituents is why we were not kept in the loop at every step of the way, meaning notification at the beginning, middle, and end of each project submittal? Council is very good at promoting positive information about school progress, or bridges, but the silence was deafening, regarding project applications, and evaluations for RESTORE monies. Taxpayers should know what went wrong. I understand the process was very competitive, having counted 37 submissions and 15 winners. Perhaps Orange Beach’s projects like: Restoration of Cotton Bayou and Terry Cove Canals (ID #84); and a Storm Water Quality Rehabilitation Project (ID #98) were too small or they lacked innovation, as suggested by the voting tabulation sheet (pgs. 43-44)? Losing out on $192,416,759 in grants is more than just a little hiccup. It is a political disaster. We had a seat at the table, and Orange Beach was the only board member to come away empty handed, having nothing to show from this round of oil spill reparations ($192,416,759) that damaged the ecology of our coast. Orange Beach has realistic project needs like a boat launch on the south side of the island, or a high-capacity drainage system when it floods in Bear Point. Orange Beach could have submitted for eco-trail improvements, extending from Hwy 161 to the canoe launch on Mississippi Avenue, or possibly building a state-of-the-art wildlife rescue facility on Power Line Road, or a five-bed trauma center with helicopter pad, essentially any single project paid for with RESTORE monies would have been welcome. This was an opportunity lost, and taxpayers do not know why. Rauf Bolden is retired IT Director at the City of Orange Beach, working as an IT & Web Consultant on the Beach Road. He can be reached by email: publisher@velvetillusion.com.
U.S. Treasury approves Alabama’s multiyear implementation plan for Gulf Coast recovery
A multiyear plan developed to help restore the Gulf Coast in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been approved by the U.S. Department of Treasury (USDT). Developed by the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council (AGCRC), the plan proposes 15 activities for Direct Component RESTORE funding for a total estimated cost of $192,416,759. Now that the plan has been approved, individual grant applications must be submitted to Treasury and awarded before project activity can begin. “This is a watershed day in the reinvestment of Alabama’s Gulf Coast communities,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “The members of the Council have worked long and hard over the past year to get us to this point; at long last, oil spill funds guaranteed to the people of Alabama through the RESTORE Act are about to be invested. I am especially grateful there has been so much public input in this process.” The projects The projects proposed in the plan are all located within Mobile and Baldwin Counties. The money for the projects comes from penalties paid by companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico through the RESTORE Act, which established a trust fund to hold much of that money aside for “programs, projects, and activities that restore and protect the environment and economy of the Gulf Coast region.” All 15 projects are in accordance with the focus areas selected by 10-member Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council that include infrastructure projects benefiting the economy and related planning assistance. Aloe Bay Harbour Town Phases I, II and III: The purpose of this project is to enhance economic opportunities and ensure long-term economic sustainability by creating a walkable district in and around Aloe Bay, including short-term lodging, event, and retail space. Location: Town of Dauphin Island, Mobile County, Ala. Redevelop Bayou La Batre City Docks Phases I, II and III: The purpose of the project is to redevelop the City docks to breathe life back into the space. This new vision will support many areas of the local economy and will serve as a public space and meeting place for festivals and area residents and visitors to enjoy. Location: City of Bayou La Batre, Mobile County, Ala. Water Distribution System Upgrades: The purpose of the project is to replace undersized water mains with larger lines to provide adequate water pressure and fire protection for many areas within Bayou La Batre Utilities Board service area. Location: City of Bayou La Batre, Mobile County, Ala. Northwest Satsuma Water and Sewer Project: The purpose of this project will extend water and sewer under Interstate 65 via directional boring to bring potable water, fire protection, and gravity sanitary sewer access to the households currently relying on individual wells and on-site septic tanks. This project will reduce health problems due to inadequate treatment from private wells, improve water quality, as approximately 100 on-site septic tanks will be abandoned, and will provide growth opportunities for the City of Satsuma. Residences will be connected to the infrastructure by homeowners per city ordinance. Location: City of Satsuma, Mobile County, Ala. Mount Vernon Water Treatment Plant (WTP): The purpose of this project is to upgrade the Town of Mount Vernon’s 972,000 gallons per day (GPD) Water Treatment Plant to provide more reliable service, ensuring improved environmental conditions, and allowing for future growth. Location: Town of Mount Vernon, Mobile County, Ala. Mobile County Blueway Trail Development: This water-based trail development project will increase the potential for trail business and revenue income in Mobile County, increase and enhance the public’s access to local waters, protect sensitive environments along the coast, and promote nature-based tourism. Location: Mobile County, Ala. Baldwin Beach Express I-10 to I-65 Extension: The purpose of this Activity is to 1) acquire land from willing sellers as associated with an infrastructure project in conformance with the RESTORE Act and regulations; and 2) construct the 24.5-mile Baldwin Beach Express Extension from I-10 to I-65 to complete the 51-mile Baldwin Beach Express program. Location: Baldwin County, Ala. Baldwin County ALDOT Capacity Improvements: Upgrade long under-performing state corridors in the State’s fastest growing county. Location: Baldwin County, Ala. Alabama State Port Authority Automotive Logistics/RO-RO Terminal: The purpose of this project is to allow automobile and equipment manufacturers in Alabama and other neighboring states access to a more cost-effective deep-water gateway for exporting American made products, as well as importing commodities and components that support those manufacturers. This will help the nation compete in the global economy, creating jobs and improving the regional and national economy. Location: City of Mobile, Mobile County, Ala. Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability: The purpose of the infrastructure project is to house a sustainably-designed ecotourism program where visitors can learn about the ecology, biodiversity, sustainability, and resource management of the northern Gulf of Mexico to raise environmental awareness and to promote conservation and stewardship of our natural resources. Location: City of Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, Ala. Historic Africatown Welcome Center: The purpose of this project is to plan, design, and build a building to serve as a welcome center and tourist destination for the Africatown community. This activity will not only help promote economic development and tourism, but also lay the foundation for national historic preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the area. Location: City of Mobile, Mobile County, Ala. Innovating St. Louis Street: Mobile’s Technology Corridor: The project purpose includes the design and reconstruction of the road bed, adjacent, and subsurface infrastructure within the St. Louis Street right-of-way. The planning, design, and reconstruction of existing utility, streetscape, roadway, and storm drainage infrastructure along St. Louis Street would represent a significant milestone for the City of Mobile. Comprehensively, this initiative correlates with broader objectives for fostering additional business development and economic revitalization opportunities within the corridor and the surrounding area. The City’s vision, in partnership with the University of South Alabama and other stakeholders, includes the creation of a “vibrant, live, work, play and learn district” in downtown Mobile. The St. Louis Street corridor is poised to become Mobile’s Downtown Technology Corridor, which will house “Innovate Mobile,” a regional science and research park. The University of South
Port of Mobile taps partners to develop $60M auto export facility
The Port of Mobile is poised to become a major hub of auto export activity, with a new facility that will allow vehicles to be driven directly onto cargo ships bound for markets around the world. Representatives of the Alabama State Port Authority and AutoMobile International Terminal, a joint venture of Terminal Zárate S.A. and SAAM Puertos S.A., signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week to develop and operate a vehicle processing roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) facility at the Port of Mobile. The signing took place in Buenos Aires, the headquarters of Terminal Zárate S.A. and also the site of a trade mission involving Alabama business leaders. The state delegation is visiting Argentina and Ecuador this week to find new markets for Alabama products and services. The agreement is a giant step forward in supporting automotive logistics in the Americas and abroad, according to James K. Lyons, director and CEO of the Port Authority. “This agreement represents a key step in diversifying the Port Authority’s business while providing a strategic asset to regional automotive shippers,” Lyons said. Important infrastructure Automobiles have long been Alabama’s top export, topping $7.75 billion last year alone. State-made models are currently loaded onto ships at ports in other states, so the new RO/RO facility at the Port of Mobile will provide a more convenient option for state automakers. “Alabama is the No. 3 auto exporter among U.S. states, with shipments to 88 countries last year,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “This new facility is an important piece of infrastructure that will help our automakers maintain their competitive edge as they continue to grow.” Construction on the automotive RO/RO terminal is scheduled to start by the end of this year, with completion expected by the end of 2019. The new terminal would convert about 57 acres of a former bulk material handling facility into a state-of-the-art automotive processing and logistics terminal. The 40-foot ship draft facility is served by five Class I railroads serving all of North America and immediate, unencumbered access to two interstate systems (I-65 and I-10). The overall project represents a total investment of about $60 million. Proceeds from the Port Authority’s recently awarded $12.7 million Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant and the $28.8 million grant from the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council as authorized under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourism Opportunities and Revived Economy of the Gulf Coast (RESTORE) Act of 2011 would help pay the cost of the project. Ideal partners In late 2016, the Port Authority initiated a Request for Proposal process to identify a potential partner in the construction of the facility to meet the region’s growing demand for finished automobile import/export facilities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The authority selected the partnership between Terminal Zárate S.A. and SAAM Puertos S.A. and began concession agreement discussions for the construction and operation of the new facility. Terminal Zárate S.A. specializes in port services; cars, containers and project cargo handling operations; storage and logistics services; warehousing; equipment rental and other activities providing value to client logistic chains, economic sectors and overseas trade. It is among the largest RO/RO terminals in the Americas, with a 9 million vehicle throughput to date. “This project is a significant component of our growth strategy, and given our strong experience as a RO/RO terminal we are convinced we will develop AutoMobile International Terminal into a world class RO/RO processing and handling facility,” said Robert Murchison, president of Terminal Zárate S.A. The other partner in the joint venture, SAAM Puertos S.A., is a subsidiary of Sociedad Matriz SAAM S.A., a Chilean multinational company that provides foreign trade services by means of port terminal operations, towage and logistics. With a network of 11 ports in six countries, SAAM Puertos S.A. is one of the major port operators in South America and partners with the world’s leading shipping companies. “We look forward to work together with Terminal Zárate and the Alabama State Port Authority and bring all our knowledge and experience to the service of the terminal, and consolidate our position in America,” said Yurik Díaz, manager of SAAM Puertos S.A. Republished with the permission of the Alabama Newscenter.
Prichard mayor claims Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council failed to consider his city
The Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council — tasked with distributing funds earned from the civil penalties paid by companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill — made recommendations last week to fund more than 40 improvement projects to the region. Totaling $315 million (which includes $118 million for projects in Baldwin County and $161 for projects in Mobile County), the projects are mostly economic or environmental in nature. But not everyone who hoped to get funding for a project got it. Prichard Mayor Jimmie Gardner voiced his dismay over his city being left out of the funding projects during a news conference on Monday. “I understand that the City of Mobile is the hub of this area,” Gardner said during the news conference. “I support that, but if we don’t start funding these other cities who may not have the budget that a city like Mobile may have, you’re just a part of a problem in allowing these cities to deteriorate. Help them do better.” Prichard had hoped money to receive funds for drainage and sewer infrastructure improvements on West Turner Road and Lovejoy Loop. “As in most of our counties in Alabama, the infrastructure underneath the ground is poor. The city of Prichard has very old pipes which causes for the flooding. The BP restore act money was for drainage to be corrected on West Turner Road and Lovejoy Loop,” the city Tweeted. As in most of our counties in Alabama, the infrastructure underneath the ground is poor. The city of Prichard has very old pipes which causes for the flooding. The BP restore act money was for drainage to be corrected on West Turner Road and Lovejoy Loop. https://t.co/oqhdEBJiXx — The City of Prichard (@PrichardPride) March 10, 2018 Gardner also criticized the fact his Mobile-County city was not represented on the 10-member council — which includes Baldwin County Commissioner Frank Burt, Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier, Bayou La Batre Mayor Terry Downey, Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft, Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon, Fairhope Mayor Karin Wilson, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood, Alabama State Port Authority Executive Director Jimmy Lyons and former U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, who is serving as a liaison to Gov. Kay Ivey — that selected the projects. “We got to look at a better way to make sure that everyone has a fair opportunity, beyond someone else suggesting ‘my project is better than your project,’” Gardner added. He is now asking its residents to make use of the public comment period to request funding for Prichard. “Everyone please remember there is a 45-day public comment period. The city of Prichard and a couple of other municipalities did not receive any BP Restore funds. I believe there was a slight disparity in the allocation of the funds + heaviness towards Baldwin and mobile counties,” Tweeted the city person Gardner’s request. Everyone please remember there is a 45-day public comment period. The city of Prichard and a couple of other municipalities did not receive any BP Restore funds. I believe there was a slight disparity in the allocation of the funds + heaviness towards Baldwin and mobile counties. https://t.co/YssnWdjyw1 — The City of Prichard (@PrichardPride) March 10, 2018
$315 million to fund projects in Mobile and Baldwin counties
A $315 million from the RESTORE Act and the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council will help fund projects in southwestern areas of the state. Fifty projects will be given funding for infrastructure, environmental restoration and economic development, AL.com reported. The biggest include $56 million for five major road expansion projects in Baldwin County, $28 million for a new facility at the Port of Mobile, $27 million for projects affecting Dauphin Island’s Aloe Bay and $21 million to redevelop the docks in Bayou La Batre. Funds will also help improve water-sewer systems and eliminate sewage overflows. The money comes from penalties paid by companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The RESTORE Act established a trust fund to hold much of that money aside for “programs, projects, and activities that restore and protect the environment and economy of the Gulf Coast region.” Eliska Morgan, the council’s executive director, said more than 400 projects were submitted by various organizations and government entities. Some that didn’t make the cut will be considered in the future. “There are some really great ones,” Morgan said. “We’ve been working toward this end for some time.” Mobile County had more requests, totaling nearly twice the money as Baldwin County requests. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
