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Five
private environmental groups withdrew from the Consensus process
after the first meeting:
Audubon
Society
Gulf Restoration Network
Mississippi Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation
Sierra Club.
Even
though these five groups only attended the initial Consensus
meeting, they were always invited and provided copies of the
minutes of the meetings in an effort to keep them involved
in the process.
During
subsequent Consensus meetings, all organizations recognized
the need to find a functional solution to provide flood protection
to the residents of the South Delta. Extensive discussions
(over 50 hours) took place regarding the benefits of operating
a pumping plant with various start/stop elevations and the
operation of the Steele Bayou gates to provide environmental
benefits in managing higher low water levels in the South
Delta area. Environmental agencies expressed a desire to work
toward the reforestation of the lands below the 2-year flood
event and a desire to restore wetland functions.
Plan
Of Action
These
processes helped the Corps refine the array of alternatives
that would provide a combination of structural/nonstructural
plans for flood protection and enhanced environmental resources
for the South Delta. The structural components (pumps) will
protect the higher lands, homes, roads, bridges and other
infrastructure. The nonstructural components consist of easements
and reforestation of crop land in the one-year flood plain
to prevent damage on lands that would not be protected by
the pumps.
In
September, 2000 the Corps of Engineers released its Draft
Reformulation Report that recommends a 14,000 c.f.s. pumping
plant which will be turned on/off at elevation 87 feet (the
1-year flood event in the South Delta). The Corps will offer
reforestation easements to willing sellers on the 62,500 acres
of developed land below 87 feet that will not receive any
benefits from the pumps (be under water before the pumps are
turned on). A change in the operation of the Steele Bayou
Drainage Structure will increase the low water stages 1 to
3 feet in the channels.
 This
recommended plan will lower the 100 year flood elevation by
4 to 4.5 feet. Over 1,000 homes will be free of flooding from
the 100-year flood. Terrestrial, aquatic and wetland resources
habitat values will increase. Connecting fragmented forests
will improve habitat for endangered species and other wildlife.
The availability of water during low-water conditions will
increase by an additional 3'.
Where We Stand Now: Schedule and Budget
The
last remaining feature of the Yazoo Backwater Project is the
construction of pumps. The recommended plan is estimated to
cost $181 million ($115 million for the structural features
and $66 million for environmental non-structural features).
The Final Reformulation Report will be released in early 2002.
In anticipation of the approval of the project, funding is
currently being requested from the Congress, to expedite design
and initiate acquisition of reforestation easements from willing
sellers. It is estimated to take 8 years to complete this
project.
The
Mississippi Levee Board is proud to be sponsoring the Yazoo
Backwater Pump Project that will provide over-due flood protection
to the South Delta while also providing many environmental
benefits.
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