Memorandum Signing Between Corps and PLD Moves Bayou Manchac Study Forward

Published June 19, 2009
Lutcher, LA: Today the Pontchartrain Levee District (PLD) and the U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District have signed a Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) to facilitate completion and acceptance of the feasibility report
under Section 211 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 project for
the Amite River and Tributaries, Bayou Manchac, Louisiana. The project will
address flood risk management in the Bayou Manchac watershed which
encompasses about 19 percent of Baton Rouge and the east bank of Iberville
parish and a large portion of the east bank of Ascension Parish.

“We will now be in the "driver's seat" and have the responsibility to provide the
services and duties needed to maintain and prove success.” stated Les
Waguespack Shaw Group Project Manager. Shaw is working with PLD to
conduct the study. “Having responsibility for this study, we realize the hard work
and diligence the Corps has maintained throughout the course of this project.
And for that we are appreciative.”

The signing of the MOA signifies the cooperative efforts by the Corps to assist
the PLD in bringing this project to fruition. Section 211 provides authority to non-
Federal agencies to pursue the planning, design and construction of flood risk
management projects and to seek reimbursement for what would have been the
Federal share under the traditional process. Last year PLD voted to pursue the
project under Section 211 in an attempt to expedite planning, design and
implementation of the project. Approval to pursue the project under Section 211
was granted by the former Assistant Secretary of the Army /Civil Works
(ASA(CW)) J.P. Woodley.

“There are many players on this team of teams, including local, state and federal
partners, industry, non-governmental organizations, landowners and other
stakeholders” District Commander Col. Al Lee said, “By signing this
Memorandum of Agreement today, the Corps has committed to working with PLD
and all the partners to achieve success in the efforts to complete this study.”

The MOA sets the stage for the Corps to assist the PLD with the 211 study. In
accordance with the MOA, the Corps will provide technical review and support in
developing the 211 study. The study will ultimately be submitted to Congress for
authorization.

Reimbursement for this project cannot occur until the project has been
constructed and accepted by the Corps. Upon completion of the feasibility report
by PLD and prior to authorization, the ASA(CW)must review the studies and
design documents to ensure that the project is economically justified and
environmentally acceptable in accordance with existing Corps policies and
procedures. Prior to construction, the ASA(CW) must approve the plans for
construction prior to any negotiations for reimbursement.

The feasibility phase of the project is currently underway and a draft report is
expected to be released to the public later this year. After public coordination,
the report will be finalized by PLD and processed by the Corps.

 



Release no. 09-094