NEW ORLEANS -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the Amite River and Tributaries, East of the Mississippi River, Louisiana Supplemental Second Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment #600 for a 45-day public review and comment period starting Dec. 15, 2023.
The draft report recommends a nonstructural plan for floodproofing or elevation of approximately 3,300 structures located within the Amite River Basin. This voluntary program would include the elevation of 2,900 residential structures and floodproofing of 400 nonresidential structures.
The USACE published a Notice of Intent for an Environmental Impact Statement for this study in the Federal Register on April 2, 2019, and then on Nov. 26, 2019 a Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement were released for concurrent public, technical, legal, and policy review. Significant concerns regarding the tentatively selected plan identified in the 2019 draft report were identified during its public, policy, and technical reviews.
In late 2022, the New Orleans District received an exemption for additional time and funding to complete the study and this is documented in today’s released draft report. On Nov. 27, 2023 the USACE determined that a draft environmental assessment would be released instead of an environmental impact statement since the new tentatively selected plan is fully nonstructural and would have reduced impacts to the environment.
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 study was initiated in October 2018 and is 100 percent federally funded by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development as the local nonfederal sponsor.
The general public, interested parties, and stakeholders are invited to comment on the release of the draft report. 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 final report.
The draft 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 in January 2024 to receive public comments; times and locations will follow in a subsequent media release and advertisements. Written comments on the draft feasibility study and integrated environment impact statement will be accepted through Jan. 29, 2024.
These comments should be directed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Attention: Chief, Environmental Branch
CEMVN–PDS, Room 136,
7400 Leake Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
Or by email at: AmiteFS@usace.army.mil
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