The Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection Project achieved Congressional authorization today as part of the 2014 Water 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.