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May 22, 2014
Morganza Minute
News from the Morganza Action Coalition

Congress Authorizes Morganza Project

The Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection Project achieved Congressional authorization today as part of the 2014 Water Levee project Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) that gained final approval in the Senate.

 

Once President Obama signs WRRDA, it will become law and Morganza authorization will be official Authorization is a critical milestone for the 98-mile levee, lock and floodgate system designed to protect up to 200,000 residents of Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.

 

"This is an exciting and historic day for our community," says Morganza Action Coalition (MAC) President Sharon Bergeron. "For more than 22 years, local residents, parish leaders and levee district officials have worked tirelessly with our Congressional representatives to gain federal approval for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection System."

  

"We have had many challenges on this long road to authorization over the years, but the people of Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes have never given up. This determination and persistence pays off with final authorization from Congress today," Bergeron continues. "We are now one very significant step closer to gaining the federal level of protection that other communities in South Louisiana currently enjoy, and the protection that our vital community needs and deserves."

 

"MAC thanks all of our supporters who have helped us advocate for Morganza over the years, and our levee district, parish, state, and Congressional leaders who recognize our region's tremendous need for effective hurricane protection and have made Morganza a top infrastructure priority. We also thank the Louisiana CPRA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their continued commitment to provide protection and restoration projects for our region."

 

"Most importantly, MAC congratulates the people of Terrebonne Parish who, on two separate occasions, have voted to pay new taxes to build levees and floodgates along the Morganza alignment. This dedication proves to Washington that we are not going anywhere; we will do all it takes to protect our homes and businesses in this productive community we call home," she concludes.

 

With authorization achieved, MAC advocacy efforts will now focus on opportunities to garner federal appropriations to construct or enhance individual sections of the federally approved levee, lock and floodgate system.

 Read full MAC news release here. 

 

Why Is Authorization So Important? 
Benefits of Morganza to the Gulf Authorization:  
*  Allows federal funds to be appropriated for the project.
 
*  Paves the way for the aggressive local and state efforts to construct the first lifts of the Morganza system to be credited toward the match for the fully authorized project.

*  Recognizes the hurricane protection project as a risk reduction system, rather than a series of independent levees and floodgate segments.

Streamlines permitting process for levee system construction. 
How We Got Here:
Key Dates in Morganza Authorization History

All in Logo
1992 - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins Reconnaissance Study of Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project (MTG)
 

 

 

1995 - USACE begins MTG Feasibility Study

 

2000 - MTG is authorized in federal water resources bill, contingent upon submission of a signed USACE Chief's Report. USACE does not meet submission deadline. 

 

2005 - Hurricanes Katrina and Rita impact project area

 

2006 - Morganza Action Coalition (MAC) forms to lobby for federal support of MTG

 

2007 - MTG is authorized by Congress, then USACE determines that project must be re-evaluated to comply with post-Hurricane Katrina levee standards

 

2009 - USACE begins post-authorization change study

 

January 2013 - MAC intensifies lobbying activities in Washington, DC for completion of MTG study and Congressional authorization in water resources bill

 

May 2013 - U.S. Senate includes MTG authorization in Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). 

 

December 2013 - USACE signs off on Chief's Report for MTG, and Record of Decision is released, signaling final approval by Obama Administration

 

May 20 - 22, 2014 -  U.S. Congress approves conference committee report for WRRDA, which includes MTG authorization

 

 

Founded in 2006 by a group of Terrebonne Parish residents and business owners, the
Morganza Action Coalition (MAC) is a 501(c)4 organization solely focused on advocating for authorization and construction of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection System. VISIT OUR WEBSITE:  www.Morganza.org 

MAC relies on financial contributions from local businesses and individuals to
support these lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. and in Baton Rouge, as well as to fund outreach and communication activities to gain public support for the Morganza project.
 
Lori LeBlanc, MAC Managing Consultant
Telephone:  (985) 209-7932
Web:  www.Morganza.org