Monday, October 3, 2022

Corps Budgets $221 Million for One Lake Plan (Updated)

The One Lake Plan is one step closer to fruition.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers budgeted $221 million for the project in a budget addendum issued today.   The Corps announced: 

 

Today, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announced additional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studies, projects, and programs funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These actions will invest almost $800 million to address urgent issues facing Americans, including supply chain resilience, flood mitigation, and coastal storm damage protection.

"The transformative investments of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will continue to meet the President’s priorities of strengthening supply chains to bring down costs for working families, protecting American economic competitiveness, combatting climate change, and promoting equity by prioritizing underserved communities," said Michael L. Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works....

 Additionally, the spend plan invests heavily in flood mitigation and safeguarding coastal communities by funding the construction of 31 additional projects and 11 previously announced projects that will reduce riverine and coastal flood damage, assist economically disadvantaged communities, restore aquatic ecosystems, and provide a down payment for future bridge replacements. The spend plan includes a total of $60.6 million to be provided to the storm-ravaged area of Rio Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, to assist with flood damage reduction. The plan also includes $221 million in construction funding for a comprehensive flood damage reduction plan for the Pearl River in Jackson, Mississippi, contingent upon the Secretary’s evaluation that the proposed project will meet environmental and other criteria. Funding to perform the evaluation is also contained within the spend plan....


Update (7:00 PM): Senator Roger Wicker issued the following statement. 

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today praised the announcement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the agency would be providing $700,000 to finalize a pending federal validation study of the Pearl River Flood Control Project. The agency also announced that they were prepared to provide $221 million for the project from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, pending a favorable record of decision.

“This is an outstanding announcement for the many Hinds and Rankin County residents who have to fear for their homes and businesses every time waters rise along the Pearl River. Finalizing this final federal study will bring us one step closer to breaking ground on this meaningful flood control solution,” Wicker said.

 

“As I have emphasized repeatedly to the Administration, each year that the Jackson metro area lacks adequate flood control is another year when we risk repeating the disaster of the Easter Flood of 1979. I am glad to see that this important project will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I supported. This is the exact kind of hard infrastructure that our state needs.”

 

Wicker hosted Michael Connor, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, in Mississippi in August. Connor toured the Pearl River basin in Hinds County and Rankin County as it was flooding. As the highest-ranking civilian in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Secretary Connor will use the results of the pending study to make a final determination on the project.

 

Wicker helped secure $300,000 for the Army Corps to complete the study earlier this year. Today’s announcement would provide an additional $700,000 to complete the study.

The flood control proposal would widen the Pearl River, enlarge levees, and remove chokepoints that have caused upstream flooding. The plan would protect Hinds and Rankin counties from more than $1 billion in potential damages, shielding homes, roads, hospitals, rail, and other infrastructure from a future flood.


The Army Corps also announced today that the agency was prepared to provide $221 million of the project cost pending a favorable record of decision.

  

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

They can do this, but not complete the Steele Bayou pump project? Where is the Sierra Club to protest this?

Anonymous said...

It says "Pearl River Flood Control". Does that necessarily mean One Lake? Or does is it broader than that?

Anonymous said...

Down with big government except when it suits me. I guess the billion dollar pumps will be next?

Anony-moose said...

The USACE are only approving a study, with the potential for channel improvements and other means of flood reduction. This does not necessarily mean that a lake will be the outcome.

Anonymous said...

Jackson can ultimately survive and grow in the future IF One Lake happens and Lumumba gets fired.

Anonymous said...

@2:08 PM - No, it says "Initiate design AND CONSTRUCTION."

Socrates said...

Cha-ching

Anonymous said...

Let's see, we can build in a sewage soaked flood plain, below a dam in earthquake country, and afford to subsidize the homeowners with flood insurance, but we can't reduce tuition, pay a living wage, or hire a water plant operator. Makes perfect sense.

And they say that Wall Street and the real estate industry are re-creating a feudal system to further enrich the already rich.

RINO Roger spends more tax dollars to benefit the rich. What a surprise. It's 200 million here and 20 million there and before you know it, the rich will pay no taxes at all!

It's MatheMagic, RINO style.

Anonymous said...

If one square inch of this is within the city limits of Jackson, it will fail miserably.

Anonymous said...

Fine, but what are we saving from flooding? Jackson's few remaining residents? Too little, much too damn late. Put a wall around the city.

Anonymous said...

@2:01 - as Juliet said, "A Rose by any other name smells as sweet". Yes, it is One Lake, but now titled to be a flood protection plan - amazing what a little water can do at the right time during an election year.

@2:36 - what a damn stretch to say the dam is in earthquake country, but I guess it is like the Clarion Ledger finding traces of lead and making headlines out of it.

And, with the expenditure for the flood protection, it would eliminate the need for flood insurance for the homeowners.

Guess you missed your guy Biden's again delaying any payments on those tuition loans (kinda like Lumumba not requiring payment of water bills) and now trying to write them off.

AND, the city has been able to hire water plant operators, prior to this administration. We've had plenty of good ones - they just all left due to the incompetent management they were given by the one at the top.

How in the hell does spending dollars give you a way to comprehend - in the same sentence - that the spending will result in the rich paying no taxes? Amazing mind, or lack thereof, that you must have.

Anonymous said...

@2:49
This is a plan by the billionaires in Eastover McGowan family to enrich themselves and his new mega Manitoba with boat houses bigger than most houses at end of meadowbrook

Anonymous said...

But guys (meaning everyone) just marvel at the speed govt moves - let's see . . . was I even born when McGowan proposed One Lake?

Anonymous said...

Please please please put it north of the waste water treatment plant. That is all.

Anonymous said...

This is typical democrats being democrats. Get one group excited by putting it in a document but appease another by never allowing it to pass environmental review. Everybody wins right? Except for the tens of millions of dollars wasted talking about it and studying it for decades.

Anonymous said...

2:49
"Jackson's few remaining residents." Might want to check the 2020 Census or the subsequent estimates. Jackson is more than twice as populated as the next biggest city.

Anonymous said...

PORK!!!!

Kingfish said...

Don't know what the post has to do with crime but I'm not approving it.

Anonymous said...

Will the One Lake be under the control of the PRVWSD and will the Rez fun-police have jurisdiction?

Just asking for a friend!

Anonymous said...

3:03, let's spoon feed you jus' like Mama. "The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) Earthquake of 1811 and 1812 was felt in Mississippi as far south as the Gulf Coast and caused the waters of the Mississippi to run backwards as far south as Vicksburg."

Yeah, we are in earthquake country, but if a flower pot fell off the tallest building in your neighborhood, it wouldn't cause any brain damage. And not just because those double wides are just one story high. That was 200 years ago, and hazards are rated in 100 year, 500 year, 1000 years. But we keep getting 1000 year events every other year. But the developers are betting on 100 years for bonds and insurance. And, NO, Cletus, they won't be exempt from flood insurance.

Here's a report that's available: "The Ross Barnett Reservoir Dam is owned, operated and maintained by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD), an Agency of the State of Mississippi. This dam meets the established criteria for the Rehabilitation of HIGH HAZARD POTENTIAL (RHHP) Dams Grant Program"

From an actual 2020 Rez request for money to study the hazards to LIFE and PROPERTY.

"The Ross Barnett dam meets the established criteria for the RHHP Dams Grant Program. In January 2019, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Dam Safety Division identified studies and planning required to comprehensively address and prioritize repairs needed to reduce potential consequences to life and property."

LIFE AND PROPERTY. HIGH HAZARD. Failure. Etc. Same DEQ who tried to warn about the water system. Part of the same water system.

But go ahead and build in the Swamp down there, with more Swamp Money from taxpayers footing the bill, as always. What could happen? Say, aside from 50 million gallons of raw sewage filling your pool on a regular occasion. The developers will be covered by legalese in the funding, as always. And the Big Ole Bad Ole Gubmint will say, We tried to warn you but....

PORK PORK PORK PORK PORK..........

Do ANY of the state and Federal elected officials read these things and ask questions about why we are going to subsidize subdivisions in Flood Plains and have to spend a Billion Dollars on the refit of the bridges and roads and so on???

At least the Texas Con Artist Developers built UPSTREAM....

Anonymous said...

The most impressive thing for our Metro area is Elected officials from both Rep/Dem, Black and white , Rankin/Hinds working together to make a difference. Well done.

Kingfish said...

One comment should not have gone through. Apologies.

Anonymous said...

No 4:57, my trailer is a double wide, not a single, and it is three stories, not just one.

Yes, I'm well aware of the New Madrid fault and the history from 1811. Just like I'm well aware that the Coliseum is built on the top of a volcano dome.

But - if all decisions were made under your theories, there would be little to nowhere available for the construction of anything in the entire United States.

By your theory, I guess we should go demolish all dams in Mississippi, no matter their purpose - since we are in an 'earthquake zone' - and while we are at it demolish all buildings over what - 2 stories, or should we go all the way down to one?

There are hazards involved in most everything; hell, I drove on I-55 through waterworks curve today, which is much more of a danger than worring about the potential earthquake and the failure of the dam at the Rez - much less any future dam that might be built downstream from it. Fact is, under your doomsday scenario the dam for the PR Flood Control Project might help ameliorate (p.s. - you can look that up in a real Websters, although it might not be in your third grade reader dictionary) some damage your earthquake would do to Rez dam, since it will be built under today's knowledge rather than those of the 60's.

And yes, the PR Flood Control structure would eliminate the need for flood insurance for most all of NE Jackson residents, along with many in Flowood. But thanks for your thoughts - I'll file them along with my peanut shells.

Anonymous said...

There may be money spend of studies and plans but this will never, never get built.

Anonymous said...

Will they consider this body of water navigable? Perhaps there's a casino in Jax's future? Just asking.

Anonymous said...

Anyone seen the engineer’s report? One Lake stops just north of Lakeland. What will One Lake do in far northeast Jackson? The houses that got 6-8 feet of water in Easter flood probably only get 3-4’ with same flood! Best thing to do is buy and demolish all the houses in the flood plain!

Anonymous said...

Sorry, 5:58, but that's a flat out lie. There would be NO elimination of flood insurance in a modified flood plain along the banks of a river. It might mitigate some risk and change its rating a small level, but no, building on the Pearl is not going to be out of the flood plain, just perhaps above the 100 year rate. Come on, dude. And, again, please show us this in writing.

Second, you DELIBERATELY leave out the "special assessment" TAXES, the extra taxes for the 340 MILLION at the very least in taxpayer money for this and the other costs of us subsidizing private real estate development.

Again, WHY do taxpayers under Uncle Roger the RINO and Brandon's Pork Filled Infrastructure Bill have to pay for private real estate deals? PORK.

Anonymous said...

Damn 714 - did you get your engineering degree from that school up north?

The lake does not have to be WHERE the flooding occurs - the purpose is to give the water somewhere to go OTHER THAN those houses

Yes, it stops basically at Lakeland - and it extends downstream several miles. That means - see if you can follow this, it isn't really that complicated - there will be lots and lots of land available to receive the water that today overloads that area and ===== walllah ===== spreads out all over those houses.

Actually, that is how 'flood areas' can be mitagated. Let the water go somewhere that is designed for it to keep it out of the areas where it is not wanted.

Anonymous said...

We should leave the swamp alone. There are turtles there that are literally invaluable. Plus, somebody might make money from the deal. Buddha knows, we don’t want anyone to make money. Like when a highway exit is built and somebody opens a gas station. Nothing makes me more sick than a public improvement that benefits the public and makes money for its citizens. I’d much rather read the comments section for hours on end with poor people exhibiting their covetousness.

Anonymous said...

8:25. Are you a McGowan engineer? The proposed lake is basically a wide ditch right? New structures etc. will have to be located 10’ or more above normal pool so the floods can pass through, right? 100 year reduction near the Country Club area is zilch, right? The 100 yr reduction at Hwy 80 is minimal, right? Enlighten me wherever you were schooled?

Anonymous said...

When Wicker talks of chokepoints, I know Professional Engineers who are hydrologists who have told me that if the old city dump which is located about a 1/2 mile south of I-20 and west of the corner where McDowell Road and Gallatin Street meet was removed that it would have lowered the 1979 flood by 2 feet. Could be that, but I don't see them trying to relocate a dump.

Anonymous said...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not provide money; money is provided to them by Congress to perform the work that Congress authorizes.

Anonymous said...

I just want a quiet spot to park my house boat and drink my social security money and smoke my Medicaid cannabis with no bad odors besides my own!

Anonymous said...

So let me make real sure I have this straight......they have secured all of this money to mitigate the risk of flooding such as the one that occurred 40 plus years ago, but these folks are having to fight and claw to secure the funding necessary to mitigate risk of water with shit in it, such as the event that happened 4 weeks ago? This right here is some BS.

Anonymous said...

@9:16

Maybe they should change the name to Lake Lott-a-Dookie .

Anonymous said...

Will be tied up in court for decades-

Anonymous said...

I hate to see all those beautiful wetlands on the Pearl River destroyed. I thought the Feds wanted to preserve wetlands.

Anonymous said...

Mr kF - could you post a Map of the lake & what jxn area business (if any) would be under water.

Anonymous said...

Madison mad!

Anonymous said...

From reading commits I can tell most of you haven’t been keeping up with this project. This project has been proposed for a long time and McGowan himself put money from his own pocket for this development just to get off the ground. This will be a good project to protect Jackson and Rankin County from flooding.

Anonymous said...

Admittedly 8:41 is right.
I don't know much about the details of this project.

But if history is indication of our future...I would be willing to bet that a lot of already rich people will get even richer.

And if the project happens to offer some good things in the process of that ultimate goal, that is as much as we can hope for.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.