CONGRESS FUNDS LETLOW-ARBC PROJECT TO RESTORE UPPER AMITE RIVER

$2 million ARBC Master Plan project will help reduce flood risk

Baton Rouge, LA – Congress approved late Wednesday night a Congresswoman Julia Letlow measure to provide $2,000,000 for an Amite River Basin Commission project to restore features of the upper Amite River, which will reduce flood risk in the Amite River Basin.

"Rep. Letlow is the Amite River Basin Commission's strong partner in lowering flood risk in the Capital Region," said ARBC Commissioner President John Clark. "The funds she secured will help us restore the Amite River's flood storage capacity and help protect lives, homes and communities. She shares the ARBC vision of a safer Amite River Basin."

“Congresswoman Letlow’s partnership with Livingston Parish and the ARBC on flood protection is important for the success of Livingston’s drainage master plan and the unanimously passed ARBC Master Plan,” said Livingston Parish President and ARBC Commissioner Randy Delatte.

“I am strongly committed to protecting our waterways and reducing flood risk. The Upper Amite Restoration Project reflects exactly the kind of collaboration we need to protect our region for the long term. This investment is not just welcome, it’s necessary. Ascension Parish is proud to work with Congresswoman Letlow, ARBC, and NRCS to restore the Amite River and strengthen our natural defenses for every community in the basin,” said Ascension Parish President and ARBC Commissioner Clint Cointment.

The project envisions restoring areas in the Amite River historically degraded from industrial activity along the water way. Restoration will help restore meanders in the river, allow for more flood water storage, and reduce the accumulation of sediment that clogs lower parts of the river, which benefits the entire Amite River Basin system.

H.R. 5371 is the continuing appropriations measure that re-opened the federal government and fully funded the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill includes $2,000,000 secured by Rep. Letlow to fund a collaboration between the Amite River Basin Commission and the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to restore natural features on the upper Amite River that will help store flood waters, slow velocity and reduce sediment load – all conditions that elevate flood risk.

The ARBC will commence planning and designing efforts with the NRCS as soon as funds are made available to the agency. The ARBC will continue its current collaboration with the State government and Louisiana Senators Franklin Foil and Valarie Hodges, and Representative Kellee Dickerson on ongoing funding restoration efforts.

• Congresswoman Letlow’s full statement on this landmark funding measure can be found HERE.

• H.R. 5371 in its entirety can be found HERE.

• The specific reference to the ARBC Upper Amite project can be found HERE.

• The Upper Amite River Restoration Plan can be found HERE.

About the Amite River Basin Commission

At ARBC, our mission is to mitigate flood damage, coordinate river management, promote responsible watershed management, and to conserve and restore the unique natural resources in the Amite River Basin watershed. The Basin includes Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, St. Helena, and St. James Parishes. For more information visit www.amitebasin.org.