Ivey Directs $10M to Battle Alabama Gulf Coast Erosion

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Day.News) — Governor Kay Ivey issued an executive order directing $10 million toward erosion mitigation projects along Alabama's Gulf Coast, targeting beaches in Baldwin County hotspots like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The funding, drawn from state coffers, supports engineering solutions such as dune restoration and beach nourishment to counter annual losses of up to 10 feet of shoreline in vulnerable areas, as reported initially by Alabama Daily News. This action addresses a crisis where erosion imperils $2.5 billion in annual tourism revenue for the region. The order aligns with Ivey's broader resilience agenda, including Executive Order 736 signed May 2023, which established the Alabama Resilience Council to coordinate hazard mitigation across state agencies and private partners. Chaired by the director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the council facilitates updates to the State Hazard Mitigation Plan required under federal law, emphasizing coastal vulnerabilities exacerbated by hurricanes like Sally in 2020, which stripped 1.5 million cubic yards of sand from Fort Morgan beaches. Local officials, including Baldwin County Commission Chair Joseph Burke, praised the investment as vital for protecting infrastructure and habitats in the 60-mile coastline. Environmental experts note that sea levels have risen 8 inches along Alabama's Gulf since 1993, accelerating erosion rates to 2-5 feet per year in Orange Beach. The $10 million will prioritize public-private partnerships for adaptive measures, echoing past efforts like the Coastal Recovery Commission under former Governor Bob Riley post-Deepwater Horizon. Ivey's directive mandates quarterly progress reports to ensure funds deliver measurable shoreline stabilization by 2027.