Amite River and Tributaries,
Bayou Manchac, LA

March 10, 2009

Non-Federal Sponsor: Pontchartrain Levee District

Project Description: The feasibility study is developing alternatives to provide for flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration for the Bayou Manchac Watershed. Various alternatives are being evaluated including, watershed management, water-control structure improvements.

Status: This study began as a cost-shared study under the Feasibility Cost Share Agreement that was executed between the Pontchartrain Levee District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on November 29, 2001.In July 2008 the study was converted to a Section 211 project when the PLD was not satisfied with the progress of the study due to funding constraints at the Federal level.  In April 2008 the PLD voted to pursue the study under Section 211 because the study was not progressing at a rate acceptable to them.  The Corps recommended Section 211 as a means of expediting the effort.  The Secretary of the Army was notified of the PLD’s intent to pursue the project under Section 211 of WRDA 96 and approval was granted in July 2008.  As a result, we are following the Corps’ Federal project process, to the extent possible, since the intent is for this project to become a Federally authorized project in which the PLD will seek reimbursement for the equivalent of what would have been the Federal share in accordance with existing laws.  The work performed under the previous feasibility cost sharing agreement between the PLD and Corps is serving as the basis for the Section 211 study effort.

During the cost-shared effort scoping and stakeholder meetings were held and a preliminary alternatives screening document has been developed.

The surveys have been completed and all data has been submitted to the Corps for the use in both the Amite River and Bayou Manchac.  Additional surveys for the lower portion of the Amite River from Denham Springs to Lake Maraupas have also been completed.  These surveys are being used for the verification of sediment transport from the upper Amite River. The sections were taken in the same locations as the 1985 surveys and will provide a volume of sediment to be used in the sediment transport Model. The preliminary results of the sediment modeling effort is being used in the current analysis of Bayou Manchac.

The HEC-RAS modeling effort on Bayou Manchac is virtually complete.

The draft of the feasibility report and NEPA compliance documentation is currently scheduled to be submitted to the Corps for technical review in late Spring 2009.  Subsequent to the technical review by the Corps, the report will be released and reviewed by the public.  After public review it will be finalized and submitted to the Corps for processing.  During the public review of the draft report, at least one public meeting will be held.

Recently a focus group workshop was held to discuss potential changes in the operation of the structures and water management in the Spanish Lake sub-basin.

Schedule: The feasibility phase would be completed in CY 2009 and submitted to the Corps for processing.  Under Section 211 it was recommended that PLD seek authorization of the project as a Federal project to enhance the likelihood of getting reimbursed for what would have been the Federal (Corps) share of the project. 

Under Section 211, the PLD must fund all of the planning, design and construction of the project before it can request reimbursement from the Federal government for what would have been the Federal share of the project. PLD is committed to doing this in accordance with the guidelines established by the Corps.

While no Federal funding is being sought at this time, we are asking that the project be included for authorization in the next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).  Subsequent to construction, it is our intent to request your support in reimbursing PLD for what would have been the Federal share of the project, including planning, design and construction of the project.