Houma Nav. Canal could get dredging funding

More than $8 million was allocated last week by the U.S. Senate’s Appropriations Committee for three projects in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. The Energy and Water Appropriations Bill containing the money will be voted on by the full Senate later this year.

U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) secured $2.5 million for normal operations and maintenance of the Houma Navigation Canal in the bill, said his spokesman.

The money will pay for dredging the canal to its authorized dimensions, according to a release from Vitter’s office.

Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said the Army Corps of Engineers needs to ensure that the material dredged as part of the canal’s maintenance will be used beneficially. Maintenance dredging is different from deepening the canal, which is opposed by the Terrebonne Parish Council until locks are in place, Claudet said.

In addition, the money in the bill would pay for dredging Cat Island Pass in Terrebonne.

Vitter also secured $5.8 million for the Larose to Golden Meadow hurricane protection levee system in the bill.

“It’s for construction work between the LA 1 bridge in Larose and the floodgates,” said Windell Curole, general manager of the South Lafourche Levee District.

The money will pay for studies to improve the levee to post-Katrina standards and to raise the levee district to new 100-year standards, Curole said.

“We’re always pleased to get construction money,” he said.