The project was authorized by the Supplement Appropriation Act of 1985, (Public Law 99-88 dated 15 August 1985). The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, (Public Law 99-662) provides for innovative cost sharing between the Federal Government and non-Federal interests for construction and maintenance of the project.

The Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf to Baton Rouge, La., project will provide more efficient deep draft navigation access to the New Orleans and Baton Rouge reaches of the Mississippi River via Southwest Pass by enlarging the existing channel to a project depth of 55 feet, enlarging the adjacent channel along the left descending bank in New Orleans Harbor to a 40 foot depth, constructing a turning basin at Baton Rouge, constructing training works in the passes to reduce maintenance dredging and constructing saltwater intrusion mitigation features which are required as a result of deepening the channel.

A Local Cooperation Agreement (LCA) between the Government and the State of Louisiana was signed on 30 June 1986. The first supplement to the LCA was signed on 15 June 1987 to comply with the cost sharing and financing concepts ref lected in the WRDA of 1986. A second supplement to the LCA was signed on 25 June 1990 to incorporate language allowing relocation costs to be credited towards the 10% non-Federal repayment as per WRDA of 1988 and language disallowing the State to use any Federal funds for their cash contributions. The LCA and first supplement provide for cost sharing (75% Federal, 25% non- Federal) for dredging of a 45 foot channel from the Gulf of Mexico to mile 181.0 and the construction of saltwater mitigation features. This work is defined as Phase I. A third supplement to the LCA addresses construction of the saltwater mitigation features and was executed 28 May 1993. A Project Cooperation Agreement (PAC) for Phase II was executed on 3 September 1993. Phase II provides for the Dredging of a 45-foot channel from mile 181.0 to Baton Rouge.

Phase I dredging construction was initiated on 1 July 1987. A 45 foot channel from the Gulf to mile 181.0 was complete in December 1988. An underwater sill at mile 64.0 was constructed in July 1988 as a mitigation measure to reduce saltwater intrusion during the drought conditions that year. Freshwater was also barged to three municipal water plants during 1988. Phase I mitigation construction (upgrades to the Plaquemines Parish water supply and distribution system on the west bank) was initiated after executing with the State of Louisiana on 28 May 1993 the third supplement to the LCA. When complete, barging freshwater will not be required.

Phase II dredging construction was initiated in July 1994. Construction involved deepening seven river crossings to 45 feet. Phase II was completed 9 December 1994.

The State of Louisiana has requested that Phase III investigation proceed on the remaining authorized project features. We are preparing a Federal Design Memorandum documenting the results of our investigations into deepening the river 50 to 55 feet.

                               TOTAL         FEDERAL       NON-FEDERAL

Authorized Total Project    $471,000,000   $178,000,000   $293,000,000

Current Total Project       $552,200,000   $161,000,000   $390,000,000
Fully Funded
Estimated Cost

Current Phase I              $44,203,000    $27,153,000    $17,050,000
Fully Funded
Estimated Cost

Current Phase II              $7,708,000     $5,014,000     $2,694,000
Fully Funded
Estimated Cost