Lafayette Reporter

Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) has received an initial reimbursement of $6.1 million from the State of Louisiana for the Bayou Vermilion Flood Control project. This amount is part of a larger $27 million that had been withheld due to process and permitting issues. The reimbursement covers work completed in 2022 on the Homewood Detention Ponds and Coulee Ile De Cannes detention ponds.

The Boulet administration has focused on rebuilding credibility with both the Corps of Engineers and state funding agencies, marking this as a significant step toward meeting financial and permitting requirements. This progress is crucial for obtaining full reimbursement and advancing towards project completion.

The State of Louisiana had previously withheld over $27 million because of missing federal permits. Currently, Rigid Construction is addressing deficiencies under warranty as part of ongoing work. LCG has submitted applications for after-the-fact permits to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which are necessary to continue and complete work on the detention ponds. A response from USACE is awaited.

Securing the remaining $21 million in reimbursements is vital for maintaining Lafayette Parish's financial health and ensuring project completion. Additional efforts are needed to connect the detention ponds to Vermilion River, with LCG committed to resolving outstanding issues with the Corps of Engineers and the State.

Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet stated, "My team has worked diligently to get the proper permits in place to receive full reimbursement and move this project to completion. It needs to be an asset for Milton and for Lafayette Parish." She added, "We still have a lot of work to do but this is the first major success in moving forward and stabilizing the parish finances."