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Board hears Corps geotech scrutiny; WRDA funding could pay for levee assessment
Summary
Board staff said language in the Water Resources Development Act could provide $3 million for Corps geotechnical assessment of the levee system; staff also outlined extra Corps requirements, including environmental assessment for borrow-pit selection under Section 408 review.
Board staff updated members on ongoing coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and prospects for federal funding.
Nick said the board's request was included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 and that the Corps' New Orleans District could receive about $3 million to perform an assessment of the levee system. He and engineers said the New Orleans District's geotechnical group has been a key hurdle for prior submissions, requiring core borings and cone penetrometer testing (CPT) at a spacing Corps engineers set. Staff said the WRDA funding would allow a more complete geotechnical program to address Corps questions.
Separately, staff described the Corps' Section 408 review process: when a local entity alters or occupies a federal project, the Corps requires Section 408 approval. For borrow pits that are not pre-cleared federal borrow sites, the Corps has requested an environmental assessment (EA) and related clearances for the removal site; staff said that process can be costly and time-consuming and that one route is to identify commercial pits already permitted or change contract language so a contractor can clear their own site once awarded.
Dr. Chris Dunn of the New Orleans District was referenced as working internally to shape geotechnical scope and spacing; staff emphasized the need to satisfy Corps requirements to move forward with certain levy recertifications and potential federal construction eligibility.
A board member asked staff to bring consideration of a resolution supporting continuation of the mid-Barataria-area sediment-diversion project to the executive committee for review.
Staff said they will keep the board updated as WRDA language progresses and as the Corps responds to the district's submittals.
