WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after the Army Corps of Engineers announced which projects will receive funding this year. The announcement included long-sought funding for the Houma Navigational Canal, but lacked dollars for other critical storm protection projects like the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Damage Reduction Project (SELA) and ecosystem restoration in St. Tammany that would bolster the parish’s flood protections.
“While today’s announcement by the Corps includes welcome news for Louisiana, including the $9.4 million for the Houma Navigational Canal and additional funding for Mississippi River dredging, much work remains to fund important hurricane and coastal restoration projects in South Louisiana. Louisiana families and communities rely on adequate Corps of Engineers funding for projects related to hurricane protection, coastal restoration, and river navigation, and I’ll continue to fight for projects like SELA, St. Tammany flood and storm protection, and other important projects that keep our families and communities safe from powerful Gulf storms and flooding,” said Whip Scalise.
Southeast Louisiana Priorities included in the Army Corps of Engineers’ FY 18 Work Plan:
- Provides $9.47 million for dredging and maintenance need of the Houma Navigational Canal, over $8 million more than the project received last year.
- Provides $1.28 million to complete the feasibility study for the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal lock replacement.
- Provides $101.92 million for dredging and maintenance needs for the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Provides additional funding for the dredging and maintenance of Bayou LaFourche and Mississippi River Outlets at Venice, building upon emergency supplemental funding both projects received earlier this year.