Bill to fund Morganza refilled

The Morganza to the Gulf hurricane protection project, which will provide hurricane protection to Terrebonne and parts of Lafourche parishes, will receive another shot at funding via legislation introduced this week by U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.

Work on a three-mile section of the project began in the Pointe aux Chienes area early last year. However, the remainder of the 72-mile, Category 3 hurricane levee project has been stalled in the U.S. Congress awaiting funding authorization for almost seven years.

Almost $886 million is needed to finish the work.

Landrieu and Rep. Charlie Melancon tried unsuccessfully in the waning moments of the 109th Congress to pass similar legislation, which would have funded the project. The two vowed to make another attempt after the opening of this congressional session.

“This project and its proper funding is about the life or death of thousands of people, a way of life, and a vital part of our state’s economy,” Landrieu said. “The people of Lafourche and Terrebonne have been patient through nearly seven long and challenging years, watching essential hurricane protection be promised to them once, only to be kicked down the field time and time again.”

Melancon noted that “several hundred thousand people have almost no protection from deadly hurricanes and the storm surges and flooding they cause even though they have been levying taxes on themselves to pay for their share of the project.”

The bill seeks funding for the entire Morganza project. As of now, only the first three-mile segment, which is now being constructed, has been authorized and funded.

The legislation calls for the federal government to pay 65 percent n or $576 million n of the $886 million price tag.

State and local funds would pay the remaining 35 percent, or some $310 million. Any funds already expended on the project would be credited to the state’s portion of the cost, according to the legislation.

Local officials lauded Louisiana lawmakers’ support of the local project.

“We would like to thank our congressional delegation for putting this most important project as a priority for funding,” said Jerome Zeringue, director of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District. “Every avenue will be explored to get this authorized so more work can be done to protect the area from flooding.”

The Terrebonne Levee District is the local sponsor for the Morganza to the Gulf project.

The Morganza project could also get a much-needed push if lawmakers OK the water resources bill, which stalled in the final days of the last Congress. The WRDA bill is also expected to resurface during this session, with Morganza to the Gulf listed as one of its major provisions.

The hurricane protection project was originally authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, but a favorable feasibility report on it was submitted late by the U.S, Army Corps of Engineers, well after the authorization period for the project in the 2000 legislation had expired. Local officials are hopeful that lawmakers are hopeful that the previous authorization teamed with the favorable report will convince other congressional leaders to give the bill final approval.

U.S. Sen. David Vitter joined the fight Friday, issing a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and U.S. Senate Environment Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer urging completion of the recovery priorities negotiated in WRDA.

“The WRDA bill was a step away from becoming law last year, and therefore its completion must be at the top of the agenda for this year,” Vitter said. “Specifically, I have been advocating the Morganza to the Gulf project since my days in the U.S. House and actually authorized $30 million for its first down payment in the Fourth Supplemental Appropriations bill last year. This key project is just one of the many that illustrates why the passage of WRDA is not a luxury or event a priority for the people of Louisiana. It is a necessity.”

Vitter’s letter detailed the extensive negotiated agreements included in the WRDA bill, including full authorization for the Louisiana Coastal Area restoration program, as well as the entire Morganza project, progressing the closure of the MR-GO and full authorization for flood and hurricane protection for nearly all of the great New Orleans area to the true 100-year flood protection.

“These bipartisan agreements between the House and Senate were reached on virtually all issues pertaining to Louisiana in the bill, and as we continue deliberations on the WRDA bill this year, negotiations must build from these previously-settled agreements,” he wrote.