The U.S. Senate has approved $19.333 million for the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project(MtG) with passage of the federal omnibus spending bill March 10, 2022, the Morganza Action Coalition announced today. This is the final step for Congressional approval and the President is expected to sign the measure into law, making funds available for MtG this fiscal year.
The funding is specifically included in the FY2022 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations measure that was part of the larger budget package. Earlier this week, MAC applauded the passage of that measure by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The $19.333 million for MtG is directed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via the Mississippi River and Tributaries Program to fund design of elements of the levee and floodgate system. These new funds build upon earlier Louisiana Congressional Delegation wins for the MtG project, including $12 million in New Start funding in 2021 and $378.5 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) announced just over a month ago.
The Morganza to the Gulf project provides critical flood risk reduction to approximately 200,000 people living within a 1,900 square mile area within Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes and consists of the following features:
98 miles of earthen levees and T-walls
22 navigation floodgates and the HNC Lock Complex
23 water control structures
9 road gates
Pump Station Fronting Protection
“This is another milestone achievement in securing critical funding for Morganza,” said Jay Walker, President, Morganza Action Coalition. “Senators Cassidy and Kennedy should be celebrated for fighting to provide vital funding to advance this project to protect our region.”
“In this first year of congressionally directed spending for Morganza, Senator Cassidy has added to the funds provided by the bipartisan infrastructure measure that he worked so hard to pass last year,” said Reggie Dupre, Executive Director, Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District. “These two wins for our community will not only design important features, but the IIJA will provide meaningful funding to build portions of Morganza.” Dupre, a former state legislator, is a colleague of Senator Cassidy with both having served concurrently in the Louisiana State Senate.
“The recent success in achieving federal funding demonstrates the power of collaboration. We are grateful for our Congressional Delegation’s hard work.” said Dwayne Bourgeois, Executive Director, North Lafourche Levee District. “This success demonstrates that Senator Kennedy’s role as the lead Republican on a key subcommittee enables tangible progress and positions the Morganza project for ongoing success.”
