ARBC updates: Upper Amity restoration, LWI Region 9 funding and Comite River Diversion status

Paul Sartre, executive director of the Amity River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District, briefed the commission Sept. 9 on the Upper Amity Restoration capital outlay project and related Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) activity in Region 9. Sartre said the commission has hired two contractors for due diligence on a gravel-pit property tied to the Upper Amity Restoration project and that the environmental consultant has been asked to pause while title research is completed. "We just think that that's a smarter play for the commission," he said, adding that he and Executive Counsel Larry Bankston will meet with one contractor to chart progress. On capital outlay, Sartre said about $2 million currently sits in priority 2; he reported recent discussions with state leaders to seek elevation of that funding from P2 to P1 and said the State Bond Commission could consider the change in October, although he cautioned it is not guaranteed. He described the effort as aiming to make funds available sooner for the project. Sartre also said the Office of Community Development (OCD) has awarded a one-year extension to the commission’s regional capacity-building grant, and that OCD certified the commission has provided required deliverables to date. "They expressed interest in how the remaining funds can support our master plan efforts," he said; Sartre said staff will prepare a proposed budget to submit to OCD. On the Comite River Diversion Canal, Sartre reported little change since the last meeting but said the project remains on track to award five final contracts by the end of the calendar year, with estimated overall completion currently projected in late 2028 or early 2029. The executive director also summarized a large status report from LWI showing roughly $360 million in regional LWI funding across 24 projects, including four major transformational projects managed by member parishes; he said staff will distill that report for commissioners. Sartre invited commissioners to future site visits and reminded them that the district’s website has a contact button to subscribe to updates.