|
|
|
|
 |
| Lower Atchafalaya Basin Reevaluation Study |
Official Project Name
Mississippi River and Tributaries, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana
Location
The LABR study area is located in south central Louisiana and includes portions of the parishes of Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Ascension, Assumption, Iberia, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Vermilion. The LABR study area is contained within the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana Project (ABLP) area. The ABLP area begins near the Old River and extends to the Gulf of Mexico. The ABLP is part of the comprehensive Flood Control, Mississippi River and Tributaries (FC, MR&T) project.
Purpose
The purpose of the LABR study is to reevaluate the features of the 1982 report and, where necessary, develop plans that provide for the ABLP to continue to carry out its system function as part of the overall MR&T project in a manner that is consistent with the national objectives of economic development and environmental stewardship.
|
|
Status
A draft of the Lower Atchafalaya Reevaluation Report is currently under review at the Mississippi Valley Division Headquarters office. Once this review is complete the report will be made available to the public.
Morgan City/Berwick Flood Proofing – this issue is being debated between MVD and MVD OC. Once a final resolution is obtained, the LABR draft report can be printed and submitted.
Updated flow line report – currently underway. Scheduled to complete this FY.
Levees East of Morgan City for backwater protection – PMP under development. Scheduled to have PMP complete by end of March 2005.
Benefit to the Community & Project Features
In the 1970s, the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System feasibility study was undertaken in order to develop a comprehensive plan for flood control and environmental protection in the ABLP area. A series of public meetings were held throughout Louisiana in January 1979, to present a wide range of alternatives and to obtain public comments. A tentatively selected plan was presented in a draft feasibility report/EIS, which was released to the public on June 22, 1981. Another series of public meetings were held in July 1981 to obtain public opinion on the report. The final report, with the Recommended Plan, was submitted for approval in January 1982. The plan was approved by the Chief of Engineers, using discretionary authority under existing authorization, on February 28, 1983, with the following exceptions: a decision on whether or not to extend the Avoca Island Levee to provide backwater protection for the areas east of Morgan City, would be made after further study, acquisition of real estate, and the construction of recreational facilities; and circulation improvements and construction of management units were approved pending congressional authorization.
In accordance with the recommendations of paragraph 3 of the Chief of Engineers Report, dated February 28, 1983, the project known as the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System, (which included features to provide public access, environmental protection, flood control through flowage and developmental control easements, water management, canal closures and water circulation improvements, and recreational development in the Lower Atchafalaya Basin Floodway), was authorized by Congress in the Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1985, Public Law 99-88, August 15, 1985 (H.R. 2577, July 2, 1985), as amended by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, Public Law 99-662, November 17, 1986, by the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1991, Public Law 101-514, and by the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1997, Public Law 104-206.
In August 2000, the “Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System project, Louisiana, Master Plan” was completed, endorsed by various technical divisions within the USACE-Mississippi Valley, New Orleans District (CEMVN), and signed by the District Commander. That document is the definitive approved guide for the use and development of the natural and constructed resources in the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System. All actions by the USACE and/or the non-Federal sponsor and/or any permit, outgrant, or consent made must be consistent with this Master Plan. The Master Plan will be supplemented and appended as needed, but will undergo a review at least every five years to incorporate all changes. The ongoing Natural Resource Management Program, resulting from the 1982 report and the subsequent Master Plan, will not be impacted by this reevaluation study.
As of August 2004, construction is proceeding for the Simmesport Boat Ramp (later authorized as the “Atchafalaya River Landing, Simmesport, Louisiana”, project). The Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) has been signed for the Myette Point Boat Facility and construction is scheduled to start in early 2005. The PCA for the Buffalo Cove Pilot Management Unit is currently under review by HQUSACE and will be executed once approved.
Business owners and operators along the Morgan City and Berwick riverfront located adjacent to, but outside of the MR&T project features, levees, and floodwalls, want some protection from flooding from the Lower Atchafalaya River, while maintaining easy access to the river. It became apparent to the local officials that full evaluation of a permanent solution to their long-term problems would not come until the conclusion of the USACE’s on-going LABR study. Therefore, the local officials lobbied for interim measures, such as flood proofing against low levels of flooding for the riverfront businesses. The 34 riverfront businesses and public facilities proposed for flood proofing are located outside the existing levee/floodwall system. This levee was initially constructed in the aftermath of the 1927 flood.
Authority
The LABR study is being conducted under the Congressional authority provided for in the MR&T project. The Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1928 and subsequently modified by the Acts of 1934, 1936, 1938, 1941, 1946, 1950, and 1954. The 1982 report lists all authorizations affecting the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana project area prior to 1982 (See enclosed CD-ROM).
In response to the removal of the Wax Lake Outlet Control weir, the LABR study was authorized by the U.S. Senate Report to the 1994 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill (PL 103-126) dated October 28, 1993, which reads as follows:
Atchafalaya Basin, LA. – The Committee is aware of the flooding, navigation, and environmental concerns that exist during high river flows in and adjacent to the lower Atchafalaya River, and recognizes that changes to that system may impact both the lower river and adjacent areas. These areas are: Morgan City and other parts of St. Mary Parish, Terrebonne, St. Martin, Ascension, Assumption, and Lafourche Parishes, LA. Because of these inter-relationships, the Committee directs the Secretary of the Army to investigate current conditions at Wax Lake Outlet, Bayou Black as well as all other features and recommend any modifications thereto which may be desirable in the interest of flood control, navigation, and the environment using available MR&T funds.
This report authorized the USACE to use available funds to investigate conditions at the Wax Lake Outlet, Bayou Black, and other features to develop a recommendation for modifications desirable for flood protection, navigation, and environmental management.
Protection for the area east of Morgan City is based on guidance indicated in a letter report dated April 6, 1946 titled “Flood Control Below Morgan City, Louisiana” that was approved by the President of the Mississippi River Commission on April 9, 1946. The following paragraphs are excerpts form that letter report.
Paragraph 4 of the letter report states:
“It is apparent that the Atchafalaya Basin is dedicated to carrying water frequently which it might not receive were the Morganza and West Atchafalaya Floodways not constructed. In recognition of this servitude Congress decreed that flowage rights should be purchased in the Atchafalaya Basin below the latitude of Krotz Springs over land not otherwise subject to frequent overflow. Thus it would appear to be an obligation either to purchase flowage rights in the basin as required by law or to provide protection where practicable whenever flood conditions are worsened by the floodways to the extent to which floods are aggravated.”
Portions of Paragraph 10 state:
“... The operation of Morganza and West Atchafalaya Floodways will increase flooding in the area and will subject land to flooding, which is not now subject of frequent flooding. ... The need for flood protection below Morgan City to the extent of preventing the worsening of conditions by floodway operation is apparent. Until this is done the Atchafalaya Basin portion of the flood control plan cannot be considered as complete, and the people living in this are will, with justification, continue to press for relief.”
Scope
The predominant factor in the analysis of any part of the ABLP is the requirement of the project to function properly and adequately during major flood events. All other objectives of the study must be subordinate to this goal.
Implementation of the Recommended Plan presented in this report would satisfy the critical flood control needs of the MR&T project and southeast Louisiana in a manner consistent with the goals and purposes of the 1982 report, giving consideration to the regional concerns.
|
|