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Amite River Basin Commission adopts master plan aimed at cutting flood losses, updating maps
Summary
The Amite River Basin Commission unanimously approved a 13-project master plan that its contractor says could halve expected flood losses and supports map updates, CRS participation and targeted capital requests to fund priority work.
The Amite River Basin Commission on a unanimous roll-call vote approved a final master plan that lays out 13 physical projects and 26 non-structural actions intended to reduce flood risk across seven parishes in the Amite River Basin.
The plan “presents 13 physical projects that aimed to reduce flood risk, preserve the natural resources of the Amite River Basin,” said Sam, the contractor from Dewberry, as he presented the final document. Paul Sawyer, ARBC executive director, described the plan as a “transformative plan to reduce flood risk, preserve the natural resources of the Amite River Basin, and improve public safety.”
Why it matters: the contractor presented economic modeling showing the basin’s current average annual flood losses at about $210,000,000. The report projects that without action losses could rise substantially by 2050; with implementation of the 13 projects the plan estimates average annual losses could fall to roughly $264,000,000 (contractor’s estimates as presented to the commission). The plan also identifies potential near-term, low-friction benefits from updating flood insurance mapping: the presentation said more detailed Louisiana Watershed Initiative data could remove or reclassify about 30,000 structures from FEMA special flood hazard areas, producing an estimated $25,000,000 per year in reduced premiums.
Most important facts: the master plan groups projects from upstream to downstream—including pump stations, sediment removal, ecosystem restoration, detention storage, levees, channel improvements and green-space preservation—and highlights that upstream actions benefit downstream parishes. The plan outlines how local governments can pursue higher floodplain ordinance standards and participate in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) to seek insurance premium discounts.
Funding and next steps: ARBC staff said the commission will seek multiple funding sources. Sawyer noted the commission has about $2,000,000 in cash for an Upper Amite restoration capital outlay project and has submitted an additional $2,000,000 capital outlay request currently under legislative review. Sawyer also said the commission has filed 17 congressional appropriations requests and will publish a catalog of those requests for public review.
Commissioners and contractor emphasized implementation and maintenance. Sam said the plan includes operations-and-maintenance guidance and digital deliverables intended to support emergency management and CRS crediting. Sawyer said updating flood maps is an “immediate priority” for ARBC because the return on investment is “off the charts” and could yield rapid benefits without permitting or design delays.
Discussion and public input: commissioners praised the plan and the multi-parish collaboration. Commissioner Raiford noted forthcoming meetings with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about tributary projects. Commissioner Ferlito and others thanked Dewberry and partner firms (HNTB, Fortin de Bellata, Elos and LaTaire) for their work on stakeholder engagement and technical analysis. There were no public comments recorded during the vote.
What the vote did: the commission approved the master plan by unanimous roll-call vote. The commission directed staff and partners to pursue implementation steps, including public meetings in Ascension, Livingston, East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana parishes, coordination with the Louisiana Watershed Initiative and efforts to secure funding for map updates and priority projects.
Larger context: presenters and commissioners repeatedly framed the plan as both a roadmap for future capital projects and a tool to accelerate near-term work — particularly flood insurance map updates and CRS participation — that could yield measurable economic benefits for residents and communities.
Sources: Presentation and discussion at the Amite River Basin Commission meeting; statements by Sam (Dewberry, master plan contractor) and Paul Sawyer (ARBC executive director).
