Important dates and events in the history of promoting the authorization and funding of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project:
- 1986 – South Terrebonne Tidewater Management & Conservation District was created (now TLCD)
- 1986-1990 – Local Investigation of Hurricane Protection System begins with USACE suggesting Comprehensive Study and EIS
- 1992 – USACE led Reconnaissance Study begins (MTG was initiated – 20 years ago)
- 1992 – Hurricane Andrew floods project area
- 1995 – USACE begins Feasibility Study with 50/50 cost share with the State
- 1998 – USACE instructed to begin advance design of the HNC Lock (PL 105-62)
- 2000 – Morganza to the Gulf receives Authorization in Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) contingent upon a signed Chief’s Report by December 2000 (December deadline not met by USACE)
- 2001 – Local sales tax passes and currently generates approximately $6 Million per year for construction of Morganza
- 2001 – Tropical Storm Allyson floods project area
- 2002 – USACE Feasibility Report completed and submitted to Congress for action
- 2002 – Morganza Project Cost updated for WRDA by USACE
- 2003 – Hurricane Lili and Tropical Storm Bill flood the project area
- 2004 – No WRDA Bill passes; Project Cost updated again by USACE; however, Reach J-1 of Morganza is authorized by Congress
- 2005 – Hurricanes Katrina and Rita flood project area
- 2006 – Again, Project Cost is updated for WRDA
- 2006 – Construction of Reach J-1 initiated with $18 Million State and Local dollars, beginning state and local efforts for construction of Morganza-to-the-Gulf
- 2007 – Project Cost updated for WRDA by USACE
- September 2007 – Morganza is authorized for construction
- December 2007 – USACE informs the local sponsor that the Project Cost has exceeded the authorized limit and Morganza must be reevaluated.
- February 2008 – USACE stops environmental and design work on HNC Lock pending completion of the reevaluation.
- June 2008 – State of Louisiana dedicates $98 Million to Morganza, combined with other local funding totaling $130 Million for Morganza construction, Non-federal dollars
- September 2008 – Hurricanes Gustav and Ike flood the project area
- 2009 – Construction begins on Reach H-3 for $7.2 Million State funding
- August 2009 – August, USACE Post-Authorization Change Study begins and is scheduled for completion in December 2012
- 2009 – Present – TLCD commences construction and/or permitting for Reaches H-2, H-1, G-1, G-2, J-2, J-3, E, F, Bush Canal Floodgate, Placid Canal Floodgate, Bayou Grand Caillou Floodgate, HNC Floodgate all with Non-federal dollars
- December 2012 – Voters in Terrebonne Parish overwhelming approve an additional half-cent sales tax for local completion of the first lift of levees and floodgates along the Morganza alignment.
- May 2013 – U.S. Senate approves 2013 WRDA bill, including re-authorization of Morganza-to-the-Gulf at $10.3 billion.
- May 2013 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Senior Review Panel releases the project’s final draft Post-Authorization Change (PAC) Report for federal and state agency comment.
- July 11, 2013 – USACE signs off on Chief’s Report for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection Project. A 120-day mandated review period by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and the Office of Management and Budget begins.
- December 9, 2013 – Record of Decision released, signaling final approval of project by the Obama Administration.
- May 22, 2014 – U.S. Congress authorizes the federal Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection Project as part of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014.
- January 19, 2021 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commits $12.46 million in New Start Funding for the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project, marking the first federal investment in construction of the critical levee, lock and floodgate system in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.
