Posted on December 18, 2024
BATON ROUGE, LA – Congress is sending legislation to the President’s desk that will provide the authority and financial flexibility to better protect and restore coastal Louisiana in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) unanimously, following the U.S. House of Representatives passage of the bill by a 399-18 vote on December 10.
Of the 17 projects cleared for construction, Louisiana secured the largest project authorization in this bill, with the $5.9 billion St. Tammany Flood Risk Management Project, which is more than twice the size of the next largest project. Upon completion, the project will significantly reduce flood risks for over 26,000 structures, most of which are residences, throughout St. Tammany Parish, LA. For this project, the 65 percent federal share exceeds $3.7 billion, with the 35 percent non-Federal share comprised of nearly $2.3 billion.
“By authorizing the St. Tammany project for construction, Congress recognizes again the national importance of Louisiana and that CPRA can work with the Federal Government to execute a multi-billion coastal protection project successfully,” said Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Chairman Gordy Dove. “As we deliver these game-changing projects in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CPRA continues to prove that federal investments in coastal Louisiana pays off.”
WRDA 2024 also provided Louisiana the opportunity to broaden its partnership with USACE across coastal Louisiana. Congress authorized a study of the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction project, allowing USACE to determine if a Coastal Master Plan proposal to reduce flood risk in the nine parishes that border the lake is in the federal interest. Additionally, the legislation expanded the scope of the Alexandria to the Gulf study to include seven other parishes, aligning the study with the Louisiana Watershed Initiative’s Region 5 territory.
“The strong partnership between CPRA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays a crucial role in achieving the vision of the Coastal Master Plan,” said CPRA Executive Director Glenn Ledet, Jr. “Thanks to the hard work of our delegation, this WRDA provides a foundation for delivering the benefits of this partnership to 16 parishes through these studies.”
A selection of the notable provisions for coastal Louisiana within WRDA 2024 include:
- Authorization of construction of the $5.9 billion St. Tammany Flood Risk Management project.
- Authorizing an investigation of the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction project to provide risk reduction for Orleans, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes.
- Authorization of a $50 million environmental infrastructure project for the Pointe Celeste Pumping Station in Plaquemines Parish.
- Expansion of the study area for Alexandria to the Gulf to include Point Coupee, Allen, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Iberville, and Cameron within the scope of that investigation.
- Provision to maintain interest relief related to the Greater New Orleans Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System.
- Provision to allow credit to be secured for the non-Federal cost share of the Morganza to the Gulf project from local work conducted since 1989. Added language connecting the Morganza to the Gulf project with the Upper Barataria Basin project to prevent a gap in protection.
- Study providing a pathway for the Larose to Golden Meadows project to re-enter USACE’s Rehab and Inspection Program.
- Clarifying that the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of the Algiers Canal levees, and associated infrastructure will be funded at 100% federal expense.
- Extension of authorities will keep HSDRRS effective in the future and secure credit for state-led projects.
- Provisions that provide more flexibility in USACE’s ability to accept project land rights that are consistent with state law and practice.
Congress enacts a WRDA every two years to guide USACE projects and policies. Given USACE’s role as a vital federal partner with CPRA on ecosystem restoration and flood control projects, WRDA is a critical piece of legislation for the protection and restoration of Louisiana’s Coast.
As one of the premier non-Federal sponsors of USACE projects in the country, CPRA has been a sought-after resource by Congress for WRDA policy. For example, in November 2023, the then CPRA chairman testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for a WRDA hearing on Project Partnership Agreements. Through this WRDA, Congress authorized a process that could lead to key PPA reforms on indemnification and indefinite maintenance per CPRA’s recommendations.
CPRA greatly appreciates the support of the entire Louisiana federal delegation on this WRDA.
The full text of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 can be viewed here.
