Nearly US$600 million earmarked for southern Louisiana marine works

US Congressman from Louisiana Garret Graves has confirmed that a number of key projects entailing dredging, flood protection, and infrastructure works will receive funding totalling nearly US$600 million.

The work plan is the regular release of how the US Army Corps of Engineers will be funding its projects, after the passage of the annual congressional spending bill.

Mr Graves said the projects seek to address the continued loss of coast and vulnerability to flooding.

Funding highlights include the following:

• US$28 million for hurricane protection in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes through the Morganza-to-the-Gulf project
• US$1.3 million to progress new designs for the Bayou Sorrel lock redesign and Houma Navigation Canal deepening
• US$2.5 million to continue developing a new system to manage water on the Mississippi and Atchafalaya river systems
• Over US$80 million in the Atchafalaya Basin (including dredging)
• US$210 million to dredge the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico

Other important priorities will be receiving construction, study, dredging, and maintenance funding. Among these are the following:

• US$18 million for upgrades and deepening at Calcasieu River and Pass, including dike construction
• US$4.87 million for beneficial use of dredge materials through the Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Restoration program, to support projects around the Calcasieu River
• US$19,055,000 to dredge and replace guide walls at Atchafalaya Basin Locks
• Houma Navigation Canal: US$5,769,000 to maintain the current channel
• Calcasieu River Pass US$54,861,694 to maintain the existing channel and support donor and energy transfer port activities