Vitter reignites push for Water Resources legislation

Shortly after the gavel bang marked the opening of the 110th Congress, U.S. Sen. David Vitter sent a letter urging Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

WRDA has been stalled on Capitol Hill since its last approval in 2000. The all-encompassing bill holds great significance for south Louisiana, as it funds many important projects vital to hurricane protection in the Terrebonne/Lafourche region.

Both the U.S. House and Senate passed a version of WRDA in the waning hours of the 109th Congress; however, they were unable to reach a compromise on key differences and the measure failed.

In Vitter’s letter to key committee chairmen, the senator cited the need for “authorization of the entire $841 million Morganza to the Gulf hurricane protection project” for Terrebonne Parish, as well as “levee lifts and other improvements in Lafourche Parish to meet at least the 100-year level of flood protection for these communities.”

WRDA’s total cost is expected to fall in the $90 million range with “an expedited authorization procedure for additional needs,” the letter explained.

South Lafourche Levee District General Manager Windell Curole noted the significance of Vitter’s letter at the district’s monthly meeting Monday in Galliano. “ Even though we were fortunate and didn’t flood, it appears that our area is finally getting some attention to our flood protection needs,” he said.

In November 2005, South Lafourche voters approved a one-cent sales tax dedicated to improving the 44-mile ring levee system surrounding the area.

Vitter’s letter also asks lawmakers to allow monetary credits to be transferred between various coastal protection restoration projects. It also seeks approval to allow the U.S. Corps of Engineers to accept voluntary non-government payments from individuals, corporations or organizations to share the cost of the work with the state of Louisiana.

In his letter, Vitter also asked that parish governments and levee boards be given monetary credit for work performed on WRDA projects even if the Corps’ share of funds for the project is immediately unavailable.

The final passage of WRDA legislation “is not a luxury or even a priority for the people of Louisiana,” Vitter wrote. “It is a necessity.”

The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which has jurisdiction over any WRDA legislation, is expected to hold field hearings in Louisiana sometimes this year.

Doug Cheramie can be reached at doug@tri-parishtimes.com.