Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) FY 2018 Work Plan will provide significant funding increases for waterway projects in Louisiana’s 3rd District. This follows the Corps’ announcement last month that Louisiana waterways would receive an additional $205 million as part of a disaster recovery package passed by Congress.
Under the Corps FY 2018 Work Plan, 3rd District projects will receive:
- $15.645 million for the Atchafalaya River & Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black;
- $50,000 for Bayou Teche;
- $34.556 million for the Calcasieu River & Pass;
- $1.824 million for Freshwater Bayou;
- $26.871 million for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway;
- $3.476 million for the Mermentau River.
These amounts represent a roughly $9 million increase for the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel, a $2.55 million increase for the Calcasieu River & Pass, a $400,000 increase for Freshwater Bayou, and a $2.18 million increase for the Mermentau River.
Congressman Higgins joined other members of the Louisiana delegation in April on a letter of support for key water infrastructure projects.
Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:
“It has been a great month for water infrastructure in South Louisiana. Our efforts in Congress are paying off, and I am proud to announce major funding increases for almost every project in the 3rd District. We’ve made a strong case with the Army Corps that funding should follow sediment as it flows south toward the Gulf of Mexico. I’d like to state that Colonel Clancy has been a stalwart soldier in service to America and Louisiana. I have met with Colonel Clancy on many occasions and his professionalism reflects the highest standards of the United States Army.
My office will continue to push for full funding of Louisiana’s dredging priorities. Ensuring that our waterways are dredged to their mandated parameters is critical for future economic success.”
