Alabama to receive millions for post-oil spill restoration

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama is getting $12.6 million for three projects designed to restore some of the natural resources affected by the Gulf oil spill in 2010. Gov. Robert Bentley says the money approved by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is the initial part of $356 million that is expected for Alabama projects from the federal government's plea deal with BP and Transocean. The governor said $6.8 million will go toward restoring degraded streams and reducing excessive erosion in the D'Olive Watershed. About $3.8 million will be used to restore oyster reefs in Mobile Bay, the Mississippi Sound and Bon Secour Bay. Another $2 million will cover restoration work at the Fowl River Watershed. Bentley said the projects will be coordinated by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program with broad-based community participation.