Alabama will receive over $67 million from offshore oil and gas lease revenues to fund 27 environmental projects across the coast.

The projects range from sewer and water infrastructure improvements to recreational access improvements, Gov. Kay Ivey said at a press conference in Mobile on Friday.

“These new projects will ensure that coastal Alabama remains a place of beauty, that our people will be able to enjoy these beautiful places for years to come,” Ivey said.

Approved projects include boat ramp replacements and improvements, amphitheaters in Daphne and Robertsdale, research at the University of South Alabama, and improving public access to beaches, rivers and trails.

[Click here to see the full list of approved projects]

“Outdoor recreation is a huge part of the quality of life in coastal Alabama,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “The slate of projects includes 11 public access and park improvement projects that will help our citizens and visitors enjoy the great outdoors.”

The money will come from revenues collected under The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. Known as GoMESA, the program provides 36.5% of revenue from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases to gulf states Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Historically, GoMESA revenues in Alabama have funded park expansions, land acquisitions for conservation projects and beach access, new boat ramps, fishing piers, litter traps and more.

The funds that were announced today are an approximately 93% increase from last year’s $35 million.

During Ivey’s tenure as governor, the state has been awarded over $180 million to complete 78 projects with GoMESA funds, and she said she “look(s) forward to announcing many more millions of dollars in projects to come in future years.” The governor received praise from many speakers at the event for the attention she gives to the coastal Alabama region.