Congress Oks LMR restoration

Congress has authorized the creation of a $40M ecological restoration program for the Lower Mississippi River - first federal program for the 1,000-mile length of river downstream of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Environmental advocates have lobbied for years for a program that would mirror a decades-old counterpart in the upper basin. The program was included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes flood control, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects, and approved in December. The program will be up for appropriations later this year. The Lower Mississippi River Basin Demonstration Program will prioritize projects in some key areas: Aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood risk. It will prioritize projects that improve water quality, reduce hypoxia in the lower river and Gulf of Mexico. Legislation requires the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a Lower Mississippi River Restoration Plan for presentation to Congress within two years. Non-federal entities will be able to apply for project funding. The Corps will front 75% and assist with design and construction. The Corps still has two years to sort out the parameters for eligible projects. The Corps was also ordered by Congress in 2020 to develop a Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Management Study aimed at all water use issues along the river that Louisiana and Mississippi have been attempting to get the Corps to address. That includes adjustments in how the Bonnet Carre Spillway and Morganza Floodway are used during high river events. Completion of that 5-year study has been delayed because of the Corps' insistence that half its $25M cost be paid by non-federal sponsors, primarily Louisiana. The WRDA bill included language requiring the study be 100% at federal cost. (NOLA.com 01/23/23) Congress approves lower Miss. River eco-restoration program | Environment | nola.com