Feds OK $51M for Ala. coastal project

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (AP) - Federal officials have approved Alabama's plan for using $51 million in Coastal Impact Assistance Program money.

At a Spanish Fort news conference Tuesday, U.S. Minerals Management Service Acting Director Walter Cruickshank signed an approval letter for the state's spending plan that includes Mobile and Baldwin County projects.

The signing was held with state Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley.

A grant application must be submitted and approved for each project. Funds come from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas production lease fees.

Alabama's allocation of each year's $25.5 million will be divided with $16.6 million going to the state and $8.9 million being split between the two coastal counties, Mobile and Baldwin.