U.S. Senator Secures Critical Funding for La. Waterways, Flood Control

United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., secured critical funding for flood control, dredging and other major Corps of Engineers maintenance priorities for Louisiana’s waterways – including the Mississippi River – as part of year-end spending legislation that passed the Senate. This legislation has already passed the House and now goes to the President to be signed into law. However, Sen. Landrieu believes the funding is still insufficient, and will continue to push for increased funds for region.

“This money supports projects that maintain our waterways, provide flood protection and help keep commerce moving smoothly though our region. While these funds are incredibly important, they are still not enough to truly meet our needs,” Sen. Landrieu said. “I will continue pushing to provide increased Corps of Engineers funding for Louisiana. As most recently evidenced by the Mississippi River flooding earlier this year, investments that we make today in operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of water infrastructure, will save taxpayers money in the future.”

Despite constrained resources, Sen. Landrieu secured the following funding for Louisiana projects:

Mississippi River and Tributaries Flood Control and Navigation Project ($161.324 million):

• $44,694,000 for the construction of Channel Improvement along the Mississippi River and its tributaries across seven states in the Mississippi River valley

• $23,715,000 for the construction of Mississippi River levees along the Mississippi River and its tributaries across seven states in the Mississippi River valley

• $8,042,000 for the Atchafalaya Basin and Floodway system

• $60,053,000 for the operation and maintenance of channel improvement along the Mississippi River and its tributaries across seven states in the Mississippi River valley

• $7,798,000 for the operation and maintenance of levees along the Mississippi River and its tributaries across seven states in the Mississippi River valley

• $10,187,000 for the operation and maintenance of the Atchafalaya Basin and Floodway system

• $1,848,000 for maintenance dredging along on the Tensas Basin, Boeuf & Tensas Rivers

• $41,000 for maintenance dredging in the BR Harbor, Devil Swamp

• $47,000 for maintenance dredging along Bayou Cocodrie & Tributaries

• $2,104,000 for operation and maintenance at the Bonnet Carre diversion structure

• $370,000 for operation and maintenance on the Lower Red River, South Bank Levees

• $2,425,000 for maintenance dredging along the Tensas Basin, Red River Back Water

Continued Studies that are essential to the following projects ($12.556 million):

• $1,913,000 for the Bayou Sorrel Lock, LA

• $957,000 for the Calcasieu Lock, LA

• $9,686,000 for coastal restoration studies under the LA Coastal Area Ecosystem Restoration program

Construction on existing Corps projects ($5.39 million):

• $5,390,000 for the Larose to Golden Meadow Hurricane Protection project

Operation and Maintenance of Existing Corps Navigation and Flood Control Projects ($134.133 million):

• $66,664,000 for maintenance dredging along the Mississippi River from BR to the Gulf of Mexico

• $7,011,000 for maintenance dredging on the Atchafalaya River & Bayou Chene, Boeuf & Black waterway

• $15,170,000 for maintenance dredging along the Calcasieu River &Pass

• $2,016,000 for operation and maintenance of Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

• $7,565,000 for maintenance dredging along the J Bennett Johnston Waterway

• $1,168,000 for the operation and maintenance of Bayou Lafourche& Lafourche Jump Water Way

• $23,000 for the operation and maintenance of Bayou Pierre

• $14,000 for the operation and maintenance of Bayou Teche & Vermillion River

• $129,000 for the operation and maintenance of Bayou Teche

• $215,000 for the operation and maintenance of Caddo Lake

• $1,662,000 for the operation and maintenance of Fresh Water Bayou

• $29,974,000 for maintenance dredging along the Gulf Intracoastal Canal

• $867,000 for maintenance dredging along the Houma Navigational Canal

• $1,225,000 for maintenance dredging along Mermentau River

• $196,000 for the Removal of Aquatic Growth

• $234,000 for the operation and maintenance of Wallace Lake

Other priorities Senator Landrieu secured in the Energy & Water Development section of the spending package:

• $50,000,000 for the State Energy Program – Louisiana State Energy Program funding has been administered very successfully by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources enabling important programs across the state.

• $11,677,000 for the Delta Regional Authority – This agency enhances economic development and improves quality of life for residents in rural counties and parishes in eight states, including more than 50 parishes in Louisiana.

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Dredging Today Staff, December 19, 2011; Image: senate