Robin's Blog for Dauphin Island

Feds question use of $51M in coastal funds

Celebration of $51 million in Coastal Impact Assistance Program funds awarded to the state and Mobile and Baldwin counties last year has given way to confusion over whether some of it can be spent for public access and recreation.

In recent months, state and county officials have debated the federal Minerals Management Service about using the funds to promote boating, kayaking, hiking, picnicking and fishing, said Julie Batchelor, senior natural resource planner for Baldwin County.

"They are asking us to justify how some of these projects benefit the coastal environment. We believe that is how people learn to appreciate the environment and wildlife, by enjoying it and accessing it," Batche lor said. "They don't always seem to see it the same way. They have not said in writing they are not going to fund these projects, but it is just a verbal thing right now."

Among the proposals being scrutinized is $8 million for rebuilding Gulf State Park Pier, about half the cost of the work now under way, said Will Brantley, natural resource manager — state lands for the state Conservation Department.

"The point we've tried to make is (conservation and public access) are not mutually exclusive," Brantley said. "The education component is critical — if you don't educate the next generation, you may lose something in the future."

"MMS is in the process of working with the state of Alabama to approve its CIAP plan. It would be premature to comment on the discussions or the plan before it is approved," said Eileen P. Angelico, spokeswoman for the Minerals Management Service.

The coastal program was established to mitigate the impact of Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas production. It calls for $250 million per year from 2007 through 2010 for governments in Alabama, Alaska, California, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Last fall the Interior Department announced Alabama would receive:

$33.2 million for the state.

$9.9 million for Mobile County.

$7.8 million for Baldwin County.

So far, the money has not been released. In Baldwin County, federal officials are questioning about $5 million in proposed spending, Batchelor said.

"Some of these things they may say 'no' to, so we're being cautious," she said.

Last month, Gov. Bob Riley signed a letter along with the governors of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas challenging the Interior Department's interpretation of "authorized use" of the funds that excludes "recreational, public access and economic development projects."

The letter to Dirk Kempthorne, secretary of the Interior Department, states that it is "limiting the potential of these lands to be used to the fullest extent for public use and enjoyment while staying within the state conservation guidelines."

The governors asked that coastal program funds for non-disputed projects be released rather than holding up the entire plan while some projects are debated. And the letter calls the process and time frame for releasing funds "unreasonable and unacceptable."

Brantley, Batchelor and Bill Melton, environmental services director for Mobile County, are submitting a written response next week seeking to break the impasse. Brantley is optimistic they can work it out and hopes the dispute stems from a different agency overseeing the program this time than in 2001, when it was handled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Melton hopes that is all it will take, but he's not sure.

"I think there is a difference in philosophy, and we will learn how much effort it will take to resolve it when this is submitted," Melton said. "They've questioned every one of them that had to do with public access. ... We were under the impression that when you invite the public to a project site, it fosters an appreciation for the coast and that is a benefit."