Mississippi Capitol Region flood control projects to receive long anticipated funding

After main flooding within the central Mississippi space, the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers plans to supply hundreds of thousands in funding for flood management initiatives. 

On Monday, the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers introduced that they plan to dedicate $221 million towards flood management initiatives within the Mississippi Capitol Area. These {dollars} have lengthy been sought by native and state leaders within the Jackson space.

Efforts in Jackson being made to implement flood management regardless of opposition

The Pearl River Flood Management District board made the announcement at Flowood Metropolis Corridor on Monday. The Corps plans to spend practically $800 million throughout the nation on flood mitigation, coastal storm harm safety and provide chain resilience from the current Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation that was handed by Congress.

Included on this spending is a flood harm discount venture for the Pearl River in Jackson that’s presently pending assessment.

“As we noticed in 2020 and once more in August, many elements of Jackson and Rankin County are susceptible to catastrophic flooding from the Pearl River,” mentioned Hinds County District 1 Supervisor Robert Graham. “This flood safety venture is many years within the making and has gone by way of intensive research to make sure that our neighborhoods and companies may very well be protected against future floods with out harming different areas. We thank our Congressional delegation and the Corps of Engineers for the assistance and assist over these a few years whereas we’ve looked for an answer. Now we’re able to act and provides individuals the safety they deserve.”

The newest Pearl River flood occurred in August, however appreciable flooding has occurred during the last three years. The waters have had devastating results on houses, companies and infrastructure.

The present levee system solely protects the State Fairgrounds and surrounding areas in addition to parts of the Metropolis of Pearl in Rankin County. The proposed venture will widen the already channelized river, permitting extra water to maneuver by way of the world in excessive water occasions, now not backing up into neighborhoods and companies.

District Counsel Keith Turner spoke to the main points of the venture and shared subsequent steps.

“We’ve been working hand in hand with the Corps for nearly a decade on this venture,” mentioned Turner. “We admire their assist and suggestions as we finalize the main points of the plan. Within the coming weeks, we hope to finalize the plans for a closing choice by the Corps in D.C.”

The flood management proposal would widen the Pearl River, enlarge levees, and take away chokepoints which have triggered upstream flooding. The plan would defend Hinds and Rankin counties from greater than $1 billion in potential damages, shielding houses, roads, hospitals, rail, and different infrastructure from a future flood.

The proposal was initially introduced ahead by the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood Management District in 2007 to assist within the continuous flooding threats that happen all through Jackson and the encircling metro areas. Many know this proposal because the One Lake Plan or Domestically Most well-liked Plan.

The Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Management District is a public company composed of the mayors of Jackson, Flowood, Pearl, and Richland in addition to representatives from Hinds County, Rankin County, and the State of Mississippi. This company has been the native sponsor engaged on this flood management venture for nearly ten years. Prior efforts have been underway because the Nineteen Eighties.

Environmental teams have been against the venture since its conception. Andrew Whitehurst with Wholesome Gulf claims that it’s going to trigger extra environmental points and isn’t priced out correctly. He estimated that they may very well be quick roughly $100 million for the venture. He added that city wastewater is a matter, and his group and others are involved that the widened levees would solely improve that downside.

Turner acknowledged the issues held by these teams and informed Y’all Politics previous to the venture’s authorization that, “Town is in a state of disaster. Every thing we are able to do to assist must be performed. Our venture does a few of that.’

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., praised the announcement from the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers on Monday.

“That is an excellent announcement for the numerous Hinds and Rankin County residents who must concern for his or her houses and companies each time waters rise alongside the Pearl River. Finalizing this closing federal research will deliver us one step nearer to breaking floor on this significant flood management resolution,” Wicker mentioned. “As I’ve emphasised repeatedly to the Administration, annually that the Jackson metro space lacks ample flood management is one other 12 months after we danger repeating the catastrophe of the Easter Flood of 1979. I’m glad to see that this vital venture shall be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation I supported. That is the precise type of laborious infrastructure that our state wants.”