Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Management Study
By: Taya Fontenette, Policy and Research Coordinator
Overview
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is currently conducting the Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Management Study (LMR Comp) across seven states from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to the Gulf of Mexico. This study, being led by the USACE Mississippi Valley Division and New Orleans District, was authorized in Section 213 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. It has a budget of $25 million and is projected to span five years, concluding in 2027. The study aims to gather public input and provide recommendations for effective long-term management of the Mississippi River, with priorities including flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem services. Alternatives considered will not conflict with these priorities. The study will cover various aspects such as hurricane and storm damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, and water supply, while evaluating all preexisting conditions, including authorized projects and permits, to determine how to improve the health of the river system.
“What river management practices would
you like to see expanded?”
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mississippi River and Tributaries Project Boundary Map.
Mississippi River and Tributaries Project
The Mississippi River and Tributaries Project (MR&T), authorized by the 1928 Flood Control Act, manages one of the largest waterways globally, responsible for draining 40% of the continental U.S. The initiative employs various flood mitigation measures such as levees, floodwalls, and channel stabilization, spanning 2,216 miles of mainstem levees and 1,571 miles of backwater tributary and floodway levees, covering the entire river. Protecting 4.1 million people, the project has averted an estimated $2.7 trillion in flood damages since its inception. The LMR Comp study aims to comprehensively reassess the operation and management of the lower MR&T system to ensure adaptability, resilience, and sustainability.
National Environmental Policy Act
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was enacted on January 1, 1970. This legislation mandates a systematic process for evaluating the environmental consequences of proposed federal actions. NEPA requires comprehensive assessments, including public outreach and agency coordination, to ensure transparency and accountability. Federal agencies must develop alternatives, including a "no action" alternative, and carefully consider the potential environmental impacts of each option. Moreover, NEPA demands the documentation of decision-making processes to provide a clear rationale for the chosen course of action.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Tentative timeline released Jan 2024.
Next Steps
The USACE conducted 16 public meetings, with each meeting held twice a day, from February 27 to March 11 across the seven states included in the LMR Comp. Public feedback is welcome until April 2, 2024. The official draft, anticipated by the fall of 2025, will be open for public comment before the final version is prepared. The final report of the LMR Comp will be submitted to Congress for authorization of construction. Additionally, the Chief’s Report is projected for completion by the summer of 2027. USACE pledges to provide regular updates to the public every three months, ensuring transparency and engagement.