LANDMARK FLOOD PLAN APPROVED

Livingston, LA – At its monthly meeting, the Amite River Basin Commission (ARBC) unanimously approved today its first-ever comprehensive regional plan to tackle persistent flooding in the Amite River Basin. Through projects, data and awareness, this plan can save Basin residents $264 million a year in average annual flood losses. 

The plan reflects the dynamic nature of the Amite River Basin, the rapid growth in regional development, and the challenge to address current conditions while anticipating future risk. The fully implemented ARBC flood plan will:

1. Cut future expected average flood losses from $550 million a year to $264 million a year by 2050 – a 52% reduction. 

2. Revise flood insurance rate maps that remove approximately 30,000 structures from flood zones, eliminating or reducing regional flood insurance premiums by $25 million a year.

3. Elevate flood awareness among citizens, planners and emergency responders to make communities safer and help reduce flood insurance costs.

4. Deliver projects of regional significance – of which more than $100 million is dedicated to these projects already underway: 

• Upper Amite Flood Risk Reduction & Restoration (Livingston, St. Helena, East Feliciana) – Enhancing floodplain storage, reducing sediment, and restoring habitat.

• Bayou Manchac Flood Risk Reduction (East Baton Rouge, Ascension, Iberville) – Clearing sediment, realigning Ward Creek, and replacing the Perkins Road Bridge.

• New River Pump Station (Ascension) – Diverting floodwaters to the Mississippi via new channels and pump infrastructure.

• Lower Amite Channel Restoration (Livingston) – Improving drainage by removing sediment buildup.

• St. James Connector Levee (St. James) – Bolstering flood protection in coordination with the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain system.

“The ARBC Master Plan represents feedback from our local stakeholders and leaders who have recommended what needs to be done for the Amite River Basin.  Now, the Commission has a steering mechanism for flood control and conservation that will help direct current and future efforts while also maintaining continuity, even after leaderships and administrations who represent the Amite River Basin may change,” said ARBC President John Clark of Iberville Parish. 

“This is not another shelf-sitting, mushroom-growing plan, said ARBC Vice President Jack Harris of Ascension Parish. “We are already taking action on $100 million in projects that are underway in various stages right now.” 

“The approval of this master plan is a crucial step in mitigating the impacts of major flood events, such as the 1983 and 2016 floods. Projects listed in this master plan have a regional effect. This commission will do everything possible to move these projects forward for the benefit of the residents we represent,” said Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment.

“I am thankful for the people who ae on this commission. We have a common desire, which is to reduce the flood risk for the people in our River Basin. The working relationship has been very positive with all members and we are working to address flooding concern of our Amite River Basin Commission Region,” said EBR Parish Director of Transportation and Drainage Fred Raiford.

“This plan is historic for two reasons: cooperation and consensus among parishes and commissioners like never before, and transformational projects to tackle the decades-long persistent flooding in the region, including removing sediment build up in the Lower Amite River,” said Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte.

“The ARBC Master plan holistically illustrates the impact of all flood control projects within the basin. This is critical to all parishes within the basin; certainly, it is instrumental to St. James Parish because it is the alluvial plain of the basin where all flood waters terminate.  Additionally, this plan indicates support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the Pontchartrain Levee District in their joint efforts to implement the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project,” said St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne.

“This Master Plan represents a united vision for the future of the Amite River Basin that took a significant amount of time, collaboration, and teamwork. I am proud to be part of this major milestone, and I look forward to getting these projects engineered, designed, and constructed to address the immediate drainage issues. I hope the same passion and momentum will continue for the future ARBC Board members who will be updating this Master Plan as merit-based projects are implemented and planned projects are defined to continue to improve the Basin’s drainage needs,” said Commissioner Brin Ferlito of East Baton Rouge.

“ARBC was able produce its first master plan with flood reduction being the focus,” said Commissioner Mark Harrell of St. Helena.

The 2025 ARBC Master Plan can be found HERE. 

About the Amite River Basin Commission

Established by the Louisiana Legislature in 1981, the Amite River Basin Commission (ARBC) coordinates regional flood control, watershed planning, and environmental restoration in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, St. Helena, and St. James Parishes. ARBC works closely with local, state, and federal partners to reduce flood risk and conserve the natural resources of the Basin.