Danny Davis
January 22, 2007
Panty-clad man arrested in Mulberry area
January 24, 2007Actions by Louisiana’s U.S. senators in recent days indicate Congress’ approval of the Water Development Resources Act (WRDA) may be close.
The bill includes vital flood control projects around the country, including the hurricane protection for the Tri-parish area.
Funding for Morganza to the Gulf, a massive hurricane protection project, is tied up in the WRDA bill. The project would provide category three hurricane protection for Terrebonne and portions of Lafourche Parish. The eastern end of the project will tie into the South Lafourche ring levee system near Larose, although officials are attempting to move the tie-in segment further south for additional protection.
The initial segment of the Morganza project, which was authorized earlier, is under construction near Pointe Aux Chenes. The remainder of the 72-mile system of levees, locks and floodgates requires approval by the U.S. Congress.
U.S. Sen. David Vitter said last week that support from a former opponent of WRDA legislation has been secured, thereby greatly improving the prospect of its passage.
In the waning days of the last Congress, the project was opposed by U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R- OK), however, Vitter noted that, “I have been meeting with Sen. Coburn about this matter, answering may of his questions. He now said he supports including the project as a part of the larger WRDA bill and will not oppose moving it forward.”
Coburn noted in a release that he was “not comfortable rushing through a project costing almost $1 billion. However, I now support this project being a component of the comprehensive WRDA bill. It’s the right way to do it.”
Vitter has noted that he has received commitments from other members of the Environment and Public Works Committee that the legislation will be OK’d by the Senate committee in March. “I’ve been stressing the importance of Morganza and WRDA in general to the chairman and they have made a clear commitment to moving the bill with Morganza in it,” he said.
In a related note, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu acknowledged last week that she will not move forward with her stand alone bill seeking passage of the Morganza project.
In remarks to a gathering of the South Central Industrial Association, Landrieu said instead she will give Congress a deadline to pass the WRDA legislation with Morganza included in it.
If WRDA does not occur, Landreiu has threatened to hold proceedings in the chamber until an amicable resolution to the matter is brought forward. The senator has noted that the new Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate has committed to passing the legislation.
The last WRDA bill was passed in 2000, although the legislation is typically renewed every two years.
Doug Cheramie can be reached at doug@tri-parishtimes.com.
