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Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Deep Draft De-Authorization Gregory Miller Sr. Project Manager New Orleans District Augus

Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Deep Draft De-Authorization Gregory Miller Sr. Project Manager New Orleans District August 2007. Overview. Overview. Study authority Study area Public involvement Draft plan Identified concerns Additional information. Navigation.

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Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Deep Draft De-Authorization Gregory Miller Sr. Project Manager New Orleans District Augus

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  1. Mississippi River Gulf OutletDeep Draft De-Authorization Gregory MillerSr. Project ManagerNew Orleans DistrictAugust 2007

  2. Overview Overview • Study authority • Study area • Public involvement • Draft plan • Identified concerns • Additional information

  3. Navigation MISSISSIPPI RIVER GULF OUTLET, LA DEEP DRAFT DEAUTHORIZATION STUDY Status: - Study initiated in FY 06 (Authorized in 4th Supplemental) -Initial technical work performed by Galveston District and Final Report to Congress in development by New Orleans District teams. Sponsor: 100% federally funded. Issues: - Governor wants to close MRGO. - Integration into LACPR. - Deep-draft ships have not regularly transited MRGO since Hurricane Katrina due to shoaling in channel (only empty inbound). Last Event/Date: Stakeholder Meetings – Spring 07 Draft report/LEIS released for public comment – July 2007 Next Event/Date: Civil Works Review Board – Sept 2007

  4. Pre-Katrina Channel dredging IHNC lock replacement MRGO Reevaluation Study CWPPRA projects LCA study Post-Katrina No dredging IHNC lock new EIS needed MRGO Deauthorization Study CWPPRA projects LACPR Levee repairs and 100-yr upgrades USACE MRGO Activities US Army Corps of Engineers ®

  5. MRGO: Views of the State of Louisiana “Therefore, I write to unequivocally express the Policy of this state regarding the future of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO). Our people have spoken, our legislature has made its will clear, my Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation has recommended the Immediate closure of this channel.” “Specifically, our work must include a more precise plan for closure, restoration of the extensive wetlands lost as a direct result of the MRGO, and the integration of this closure into the comprehensive hurricane protection plan. We must consider the navigation needs that will be affected by closing the MRGO to deep draft navigation, including expediting the construction of the new IHNC Lock and relocation of businesses currently depending on the MRGO.”

  6. General InvestigationsMRGO De-authorization • Chief of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan to deauthorize deep draft navigation on the MRGO. • Include recommended modifications to the existing authorized navigation uses of the MRGO and any navigation uses that should be maintained. • Identify measures for hurricane and storm protection. • Develop the plan in consultation with St. Bernard Parish, State of Louisiana, and affected Federal agencies. • Submit interim report to Congress no later than 15 December 2006. • Refine the plan if necessary to be fully consistent with the Final Technical Report for the LACPR Plan. Public Law 109-234 reads:

  7. MRGO DeepDraft De-authorization Study US Army Corps of Engineers ® • Congressional mandate to develop comprehensive plan by December 2007 • Integrate into LA Coastal Protection and Restoration report • 100% Federal funding • Interim report submitted December 2006 • Draft report/Legislative EIS released July 2007 for public comment • Tentative recommendation calls for total closure with rock structure across MRGO near Hopedale, LA

  8. Extensive Stakeholder Involvement • Web page with study information and comment button • More than one dozen meetings held since August 2006 • Open invitation and open forum • Two public meetings • University of New Orleans, October 2006 before release of Interim Report • Chalmette, LA May 2007 • Stakeholders helped set agendas and offered opportunities to make presentations at meetings • Invited engagements • Lower MS River Safety Advisory Committee • Inland Waterways Users Board • St. Bernard Parish Council • Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation

  9. Proposed Location

  10. Identified Concerns • Loss of deep draft access • Impacts to businesses • Loss of shallow draft alternative • route for GIWW traffic

  11. IHNC-MRGO Alternative Routes & Mileages • Baptiste Collette to MS Sound • + 213 miles • + USCG says unsafe navigation • 2. MS River to Ohio River to Tenn-Tomm • + 1223 miles • + industry reports 17 day • added trip time each way • 3. Baptiste Collette to MRGO back canal • + 276 miles • + draft and navigability issues • 4. Baptiste Collette to Bayou La Loutre to MRGO • + 270 miles • + draft and navigability issues • 5. Baptiste Collette to MRGO (requires emergency rock structure removal) Mileage is from Port of New Orleans to GIWW @ Mouth of Mobile Bay

  12. Additional Information http://mrgo.usace.army.mil/default.aspx?p=MRGO Public Comment period ends September 4, 2007

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