U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) announced on Thursday that the Army Corps of Engineers has reported favorably on restoration and protection projects along Louisiana’s southwest coastline.
The Army Corps of Engineers Southwest Coastal Louisiana Feasibility Study recommends more than $3 billion in projects to restore, reinforce and protect Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion Parishes from future hurricanes and storm surges.
Boustany learned that there was no comprehensive plan to protect Louisiana’s southwest coastline from future storms and loss of land in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita in September 2005. He pushed for support of the region’s first comprehensive hurricane and storm protection and costal restoration study, and worked to secure funding for an initial reconnaissance study in 2005 and a feasibility study in 2007.
Boustany announced in April that the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Review Board had approved the feasibility study and forwarded it to the Chief of Engineer’s office for official review and recommendation.
The signed report, which Boustany announced on Thursday, reports favorably on more than $3 billion in projects. It describes them as “technically sound, environmentally and socially acceptable, cost effective, and economically justified.”
“Since Hurricane Rita swept through coastal Louisiana, leaving devastation in its wake, I have worked to ensure that our coastal communities are protected from future natural disasters,” Boustany said. “I am thankful for the collaboration of the Corps, CPRA and all stakeholders on this study, and I will remain vigilant in working to authorize and fund these critical projects.”
Boustany also requested that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee include recommendations from the report in the 2016 Water Resources Development Act.