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Lafayette Reporter

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Senate approves water resources act with key benefits for Louisiana

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Senator John Kennedy | John Kennedy Official Website

Senator John Kennedy | John Kennedy Official Website

The United States Senate has passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes several key provisions for Louisiana, championed by Senator John Kennedy. The legislation is now awaiting the president's approval.

"Louisiana depends on crucial water projects to help keep our communities safe. This year’s WRDA will ensure that the Army Corps of Engineers can complete projects quickly and efficiently," stated Senator Kennedy.

A significant component of the act is a provision ensuring that Louisiana will not incur interest on construction costs for the Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS), potentially saving the state millions.

Senator Kennedy also secured several other provisions directing the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake various projects across Louisiana. These include channel improvements to Mile Branch in Covington as part of the St. Tammany Flood Risk Management Project, installation of closure gates in Lake Pontchartrain Basin, expansion of flood damage mitigation efforts from Alexandria to the Gulf, and levee enhancements to protect communities from flooding.

Additional measures involve improvements to Pointe Celeste Pump Station in Plaquemines Parish and investigations into geotechnical data on Larose and Golden Meadow levees aimed at reducing flood control design costs throughout coastal Louisiana. The bill also addresses restoration efforts in New Orleans under the West Bank and Vicinity Hurricane Protection Project, connects Morganza to the Gulf with Upper Barataria Basin Projects, extends a Non-Federal Project Implementation Pilot Program until 2030, prioritizes engineering for Upper Barataria Risk Reduction System, authorizes Port Fourchon studies for channel deepening, allows further dredging for Port Fourchon Belle Pass Deepening Project, and modifies Mississippi River and Tributaries Project for Ouachita River Levee System inclusion.

The WRDA mandates a Government Accountability Office study by the Comptroller General on Army Corps' policies to avert delays in water resource projects.

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