Chalmette, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina (photo: Infrogmation, Wikipedia)
A federal judge has confirmed what Congress clearly ordered—the Army Corps of Engineers must foot the entire bill for restoring Louisiana wetlands destroyed by the improper construction of a canal.
The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal (MR-GO) was completed in 1968 as a shortcut to the New Orleans waterfront from the Gulf of Mexico. But the canal, which had widened to 2,000 feet in some places because of erosion caused by ship traffic, allowed the storm surge from Hurricane Katrina to breach New Orleans’ levees and flood the city.
Congress in 2007 ordered the 72-mile MR-GO canal closed and the surrounding wetlands restored. The Corps complied with the order to close the canal, but balked at the restoration, claiming that the state of Louisiana was responsible for 35% of the cost, which is estimated at $3 billion.
Louisiana fought back and a U.S. District Court agreed, ruling that Congress intended the Corps of Engineers to pay the full cost of restoration.
“We are very pleased with the Court's decision in this matter, which will provide substantial benefits to coastal Louisiana and will protect important state taxpayer dollars,” Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell told The New Orleans Times-Picayune. “With this ruling, I am confident the project will be completed to protect our state’s fragile ecosystem, which is essential for the safety and well-being of Louisiana residents.”
It’s possible that the Corps will appeal the ruling, which will further delay the reconstruction of the wetlands, which are degrading by the day. Congress would also have to appropriate the money for the fix.
-Steve Straehley
To Learn More:
Judge: Corps Must Pay Full $3 Billion Cost of Restoring MR-GO Wetlands (by Mark Schleifstein, New Orleans Times-Picayune)
Feds Must Pay $3B for Eco Project, Judge Says (by Sabrina Canfield, Courthouse News Service)
Judge: Congress Was Clear — The Cost Of Restoring Wetlands Damaged by MR-GO Must Be Borne Entirely by the Corps of Engineers (by Amy Wold, The Advocate)
State of Louisiana vs. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Judge Holds Army Corps Responsible for Katrina Flooding (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
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