Amite River and Tributaries Draft Feasibility Report available for review
Study evaluates alternatives for reducing flood damage risk
NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its The Amite River and Tributaries –Comprehensive Study East of the Mississippi River, Louisiana Feasibility Study with Integrated Environmental Impact Statement for a 45-day public review and comment period.
The study’s purpose is to evaluate potential alternatives for addressing rainfall from hurricanes, tropical storm events, and local storms that pose a significant risk to the communities, ecosystems, and industries of the Amite River Basin.
The Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) identified to undergo further feasibility-level design is an estimated $2.3 billion alternative that combines construction of a dry dam and reservoir in the Darlington, La. area with regional nonstructural flood risk reduction measures. The proposed dam has a footprint of approximately 205 acres and a flood pool of approximately 12,600 acres, located north of the dam in St. Helena and East Feliciana Parishes. The dam will be operated to help regulate Amite River levels downriver of the structure.
In addition to the reservoir feature, the TSP also includes nonstructural measures, such as elevation of 3,252 residential structures, and flood proofing 314 nonresidential structures. The nonstructural plan will be refined by using the Darlington Dam as the new base condition for the hydrology which will likely include structures in geographical area that are not getting direct benefits from the Darlington Dam.
The general public, interested parties, and stakeholders are invited to comment on the TSP. The draft report contains a description of the project, an evaluation of the alternatives under consideration, and an analysis of potential environmental impacts. All public comments received will be addressed and considered accordingly as part of the continued development of the TSP into a more detailed Recommended Plan.
The report and supporting information is available online at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District website: https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Amite-River-and-Tributaries/
The Corps will host public meetings to receive public comments. Meetings are scheduled for the dates and locations below:
Dec. 17, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m.
North Park Recreation Center Clinton United Methodist Church
30372 Eden Church Road 11321 Old S Dr.
Denham Springs, La. 70726 Clinton, LA 70722
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Written comments on the draft feasibility study and integrated environment impact statement will be through Jan. 13, 2020.
These comments should be directed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District
c/o Kaitlyn Carriere
CEMVN–PM–B
7400 Leake Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
Comments can also be submitted electronically to the following
AmiteFS@usace.army.mil
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