The Amite River Basin Commission received updates on Region 9 Louisiana Watershed Initiative projects, grant administration and related procurement work at its meeting on Oct. 15, 2025. Executive Director Paul Sawyer and partner staff said many projects are advancing through permitting, environmental review and contracting even though few reimbursements have been drawn down.

Commissioners were told the Saint James connector levy, New River Pump and the Lower Amite sediment-removal project are moving forward: some are in permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and others remain in design or procurement. Paul Sawyer emphasized that low reimbursement activity in grant accounting does not mean projects are inactive; it can reflect timing of invoices and reimbursement requests.

Why it matters: Region 9 is holding multiple state and federal funds intended to support watershed restoration and resilience. Project momentum, capacity in parish governments and grant-administration timelines will determine whether funds are spent before program deadlines.

Commission staff noted an extension on the RCBG (Regional Capacity Building Grant) awarded to Region 9. Paul Sawyer said the Office of Community Development required the extension and asked ARBC to identify ways to spend remaining RCBG funds. ‘‘We are in the brainstorming phase,’’ Sawyer said, adding the Water Institute is drafting a scope of work that will be presented to the commission before submission to OCD for approval. Garvin Pittman of the Water Institute is participating in an RCBG coordinator meeting on ARBC’s behalf.

Legal counsel Larry Bankston briefed commissioners on a separate land-acquisition effort on the Upper Amite River. He said title work, appraisal and a phase 1 environmental assessment are underway as part of a 120-day due-diligence period; the commission may request a time extension if issues arise. Bankston said the commission delayed some environmental spending to avoid unnecessary costs and expected the phase 1 to be finished within about 10 days.

The commission also discussed procurement: staff proposed splitting a previously all‑in RFQ into four task-order driven solicitations covering (1) master-plan implementation and general engineering, (2) environmental services, (3) land surveying, and (4) real‑estate acquisition and related services. The draft RFQ language removes lump-sum contract language and contemplates multiple firms per category and two‑year base terms with renewal options. Bankston said the RFQ/RFP language will be refined with staff and outside counsel to match statutory procurement requirements.

Commissioners raised concerns about parish capacity to manage grant paperwork and asked ARBC to offer regional assistance to grantees that lack in-house technical staff. Sawyer and Pittman agreed ARBC can help parishes navigate reimbursement and reporting requirements. Staff also circulated a draft website redesign to improve document storage and user access.

The commission was reminded that OCD established a construction deadline: projects that are not in construction by Jan. 2027 will have their viability revisited. Sawyer and Bankston said the deadline is another reason to accelerate technical assistance and reporting to avoid losing funds.

Ending: Staff said they will present a refined scope for RCBG spending and updated procurement language at a future meeting; commissioners asked staff to request updated burn-rate and project-status reports from parishes to capture more current drawdown and construction activity.