Legislature Unanimously Aproves Edmonston Flood Package

Edmonston bills clears path for Bayou Manchac improvements; other ARBC prioritiesLegislature Unanimously Approves Edmonston Flood Package

Legislature Unanimously Approves Edmonston Flood Package

Baton Rouge, LA – The Louisiana Legislature has unanimously approved final passage of HB 172 and HB 165 by Rep. Kathy Edmonston (LA 88- Gonzales) – bills that will help the ARBC prioritize and focus on urgent flood fighting priorities, including Bayou Manchac improvements. The Amite River Basin Commission unanimously endorsed these bills during their April 8, 2025, regular meeting. The bills now head to Governor Landry for his signature.

“My bills remove two big obstacles preventing the ARBC from reducing flood risk for literally hundreds of thousands of people, including those I represent,’ said Rep. Edmonston. “ARBC has a comprehensive flood plan, alignment among their seven parishes, and funding. We need to let them do their work. I’m grateful for my colleagues’ support and the big help from Senator Eddie Lambert, Rep. Tony Bacala and Rep. Jeff Wiley.”

“Rep. Edmonston’s bills are key to implementing ARBC’s recently passed and historic flood plan,” said ARBC President John Clark. “Without them, we could not act on the $30 million in Louisiana Watershed Initiative funds we now have for Bayou Manchac improvements. We have the funds; we have the will. And this bill removes a huge obstacle.”

H.B. 172 will extend the period for which Bayou Manchac is exempt from certain provisions of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act. This bill temporarily suspends restrictions on flood protection measures in Bayou Manchac. East Baton Rouge Parish is leading a $30 million effort with Ascension and Iberville Parishes to restore natural drainage in Bayou Manchac. The Pontchartrain Levee District is also conducting similar flood protection measures in the bayou.

The Bayou Manchac project includes the realignment of Ward Creek and the elimination of severe blockages, both of which limit the bayou’s ability to drain flood waters. The Bayou Manchac project is a critical component of the recently completed and approved 2025 Amite River Basin Master Plan.

H.B. 165 will remove the deadline for ARBC to promulgate regulations for watershed management. With very limited resources available to the Commission, this bill will allow the ARBC to complete work on its legislatively mandated, landmark master plan and to take initial steps on the Upper Amite Flood Risk Reduction and Restoration Project.

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 the watershed limits of the Amite River and ITS tributaries in Louisiana within the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, St. Helena and St. James. For more information visit www.amitebasin.org.