May 30, 2023
Morganza Minute
News from the Morganza Action Coalition
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Corps Closes In on Major Components of Morganza to the Gulf |
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials from the New Orleans District have made several recent trips to Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes as the Corps proceeds with 12 design and/or construction components of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System (MtG). |
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“It has been over 30 years since Congress first began the Morganza to the Gulf (MTG) Hurricane Rick Reduction Project in 1992. While waiting for Federal funding to begin, the State and local efforts have constructed over $1 Billion of flood control improvements for our region. Congress has recently begun to fund both design and construction of parts of the MTG System. The Terrebonne Levee & Conservation District (TLCD), along with the Louisiana Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority (CPRA), the North Lafourche Levee District (NLLD) and the Morganza Action Coalition (MAC), are working very closely with our Federal partners at the Corps to complete the MTG system as soon as possible," says Reggie Dupre, Executive Director of the TLCD.
"We have built over 80 miles of the first lift of the entire 98-mile alignment, including 14 navigable floodgates and 11 environmental water control structures. TLCD has already began construction of the $400 million HNC Lock Complex which will be the largest and most expensive structure of the entire system. The remaining “gaps” in the system, including floodgates on the ICWW and Reach A between Houma and the Dularge Community will be lead by the Corps. The final gap connecting southern Terrebonne to south Lafourche in Reach L is currently underway by TLCD. These efforts have already been tested and have proven their value in recent hurricanes.”
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Along the site of the HNC Lock Complex, TLCD contractors have prepared
the base of operations site and installation of rip-rap along the canal bank.
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REACH A in Western Terrebonne |
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The Corps will begin construction this year on the first lift of the Reach A levee in the Morganza to the Gulf (MtG) Hurricane Risk Reduction System, the westernmost segment of the levee system in Terrebonne Parish.
Reach A will run parallel with Bayou Dularge, and the alignment is currently under review by federal agencies before being finalized.
"USACE Colonel Cullen Jones, MtG Senior Project Manager Lacy Shaw and their team have really stepped things up in trying to expedite the construction of Reach A. This is the last four to five miles of Morganza in Terrebonne Parish not yet under construction. Their determination and commitment to get this reach underway is very evident," said TLCD Board President Tony Alford.
Construction of Reach A, along with the GIWW Floodgate in Houma, the Shell Canal Floodgate in Gibson, and Minor's Canal Floodgate, will close in the MtG system on the western end of the alignment.
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GIWW in Larose and Eastern Tie-In Reaches 1,2,3,4 to North Lafourche Levee System |
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The North Lafourche Levee District recently hosted a visit with the Corps to discuss the alignment of Levee Reaches 1,2,3 and 4 in Lafourche Parish, which would tie the MtG system into the North Lafourche System, from Larose at the planned GIWW East Floodgate to the Upper Barataria Risk Reduction Levee.
Discussions have also focused on the location of the GIWW Floodgate to be built in Larose. The alignments of the floodgate and eastern reach tie-ins to the NLLD system must avoid major pipelines in the area.
"I am delighted to express my satisfaction with the progress being made by the US Army Corps of Engineers on the Morganza to the Gulf Flood Protection Project in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes. It should be reassuring to all our residents and businesses to see such a vital project being worked on so diligently. I am particularly pleased with the close working relationship between the Corps, the CPRA, and our local non-federal sponsors, which has undoubtedly contributed to the success of the project thus far," said NLLD Executive Director Dwayne Bourgeois.
"While it's true that there have been some challenges in working through some of the details of the project, such as the location and size of the GIWW sector gate and the Eastern Tie-in Alignment, it's heartening to see the Corps run to and work through these challenges with professionalism and dedication. I am confident that with this level of commitment, the Morganza to the Gulf Flood Protection Project will continue to progress smoothly, and our communities will be better protected from flooding and its devastating effects.”
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On March 20, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a site visit along the Intracoastal Waterway in Larose to view pipeline crossings, shore banks, canals and local business docks in the vicinity of the future Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Floodgate. Morganza Action Coalition organized logistics to accommodate the trip, and Morganza Project Manager Mitch Marmande provided narration on the area’s landscape features and pipelines. (pictured above) |
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REACH L Connecting MtG to South Lafourche Levee System |
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Work to tie MtG in to the South Lafourche Levee System in Cut Off is progressing. This photo shows Reach L heading West toward the Grand Bayou Flood Gate. The first lift of Reach L will be completed by this fall, an important step in closing in the MtG system between the Grand Bayou Floodgate and the South Lafourche Levee System. This segment has experienced some delays as it crosses a conglomerate of pipelines, but project management is working with pipeline owners to safely cross the structures.
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Humble Canal Floodgate Site Work Progresses |
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Much of the pre-load dirt is now in place as the contractors prepare the site for the future Humble Canal Floodgate in Pointe Aux Chenes. The pre-load contract work is 48 percent complete and the Corps will put the floodgate construction out to bid soon. |
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CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE: BREEZE Act Passes House |
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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, by a bipartisan vote of 225 – 204. Included within H.R. 1 was the text from the bipartisan Budgeting for Renewable Electrical Energy Zone Earnings (BREEZE) Act, which was introduced last Congress by Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Congressman Troy Carter.
The revenue sharing portions of the legislation would increase the state share of offshore oil and gas revenues for Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas from 37.5 percent to 50 percent. It would establish revenue sharing for states with new offshore wind development off their coastline. Under this bill, states with offshore wind development would receive 50 percent of the revenues from offshore lease sales and 37.5 percent of the revenues will be deposited into the existing North American Wetlands Conservation Fund. Finally, the legislation repealed a 2 percent administrative fee imposed on energy revenue sharing for interior states with energy development on federal lands within their borders.
H.R. 1 now awaits consideration by the Senate.
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MAC Executive Director Henri Boulet (left) participated in a recent
Sharing Offshore Revenue from Energy Sources (SHORES) Coalition advocacy visit
to Capitol Hill to push for greater offshore revenue sharing with states and parishes,
which would benefit projects like Morganza to the Gulf.
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MAC Appreciates the State's Support! |
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MAC Executive Director Henri Boulet had a chance to thank Governor John Bel Edwards for the State’s continued partnership on completing Morganza to the Gulf.
In addition, Boulet also provided updates on the MtG project at stakeholder breakfasts this spring and to engineers at the Louisiana Parish Engineers and Supervisors Association.
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- Alexis Duval
- Beacon Offshore Energy Exploration
- Chevron
- Danos
- Dr. Joseph Orgeron
- Farm Bureau Insurance
- Halliburton
- Hess
- Jodi Arceneaux
- LA Ship
- LOCAP
- LOOP
- Lowland Construction
- Morgan Stanley
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- Morrison Energy
- North Lafourche Conservation, Levee and Drainage District
- Onshore Materials
- Pat & Kate Brady Family Foundation
- REV
- Rig Chem
- Shell
- South Louisiana Bank
- Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District
- Terry Coleman
- United Vision Logistics
- Woodside Energy
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Your membership contribution to MAC sustains our advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. and
Baton Rouge, and strengthens public outreach
and communication activities
to advance local levee protection.
Your contribution makes our call for support of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System and other flood protection projects in our area even LOUDER!
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The Morganza Action Coalition is a 501(c)(4) corporation founded in 2006 by Terrebonne Parish residents and business leaders who recognize the importance of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection System to the continued survivability, economic viability and growth of our region. Today, MAC advocates for comprehensive levee protection for Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.
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