WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is allocating an additional $115 million through the Infrastructure Law for construction on the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Hurricane Protection project. The project is a coastal restoration and storm mitigation effort that encompasses 4,700 square miles in Calcasieu, Cameron, and Vermilion parishes.
“Again, while I opposed the Infrastructure bill in its totality, there are elements within the bill that my office fully supports. We have long prioritized funding for dredging, waterway maintenance, and storm mitigation efforts in South Louisiana. That certainly includes the Southwest Coastal Louisiana project,” said Congressman Higgins. “We secured language in the 2018 Water Resources bill prioritizing Southwest Coastal for construction, and we have continued to advocate for funding through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”
Background on funding efforts for the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Hurricane Protection project:
- In September 2018, Congressman Higgins authored and secured an amendment in S. 3021, America’s Water Infrastructure Act, which prioritized the Southwest Coastal Louisiana project for construction.
- In February 2021, Congressman Higgins met with members of Louisiana’s Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority (CPRA) and local stakeholders to discuss funding efforts for the Southwest Coastal Louisiana project.
- In July 2021, Congressman Higgins secured language in a House Energy & Water appropriations bill to award funding for construction on the Southwest Coastal Louisiana project.
- In January 2022, Congressman Higgins announced $125 million for the Southwest Coastal Louisiana project through the Infrastructure Law.
- In March 2022, Congressman Higgins secured an additional $10 million for construction on the Southwest Coastal Louisiana project in an omnibus spending bill.
