Cassidy Directs Funding for Morganza to the Gulf

Press Release

Today, Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) announced that an amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2014 will re-direct funds from the Department of Energy's administrative offices to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to provide funding to hurricane and storm damage risk reduction projects--including Morganza to the Gulf.

Dr. Cassidy released the following statement:

"Building Morganza means thousands of working families and small businesses in Louisiana will be protected from future flooding and storm surge. Getting the project authorized was the first step--the next step is ensuring that it has the proper funds to be built. This amendment is a step in that direction. Building Morganza to provide long term protection from future storms like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has and will continue to be a priority."

About Morganza

Morganza to the Gulf is of immense importance for Louisiana's coastal restoration and protection efforts. The project's purpose is to protect the remaining fragile marsh and wetlands from hurricane storm surge.

Morganza to the Gulf has been under study for over 20 years and recently-passed legislation finally authorized the project to be built. When completed, Morganza to the Gulf will prevent an estimated $1 billion in flood-related damage annually; protecting 53,000 structures within the working coastal communities that provide energy, seafood, and the shipment of goods for U.S. consumption.

Dr. Cassidy has played a role in ensuring that Morganza to the Gulf was included in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), and secured a commitment from Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to review the Morganza project and clear it of any additional hurdles for its final authorization.

Source