Amite River Basin Commission pledges to cover costs above state funds for Upper Amite land closing

The Amite River Basin Commission voted Feb. 10 to add and pass a resolution committing the commission to cover any costs above available state funds for a pending real-estate closing tied to the Upper Amite restoration project.

Paul Sawyer, the commission’s chief advisor, told commissioners that due diligence on the Upper Amite restoration project is complete and the package is under review by the state Office of Facility Planning and Control. "We have $2,000,000 that was secured for us through Congresswoman Letlow," Sawyer said, and he said he will meet with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service later this month to discuss administration of that funding.

Legal counsel Larry Bankston said facility planning had asked for a clearer board commitment to cover any closing costs beyond available state funds. "The Amite River Basin Commission will cover all costs above available state funds," Bankston said, describing the language the division requested. He said he would draft a formal resolution for submission to facility planning and control; commissioners then endorsed the proposed language and the resolution was approved.

President Clark explained the urgency: the sellers had agreed to an extension and the commission’s due diligence window runs through Feb. 28. Commissioners who asked whether funds were budgeted received an affirmative response: "We do," one commissioner said when pressed.

Votes at a glance

- Add agenda item to address facility planning feedback: motion by Commissioner Dufresne, second Commissioner Harris; approved (no tally recorded in the transcript). - Contract renewal with Redshift Consulting (IT services): motion by Commissioner Bailey, second Commissioner Dufresne; approved. - Proclamation declaring March 2026 Flood Awareness Month: motion by Commissioner Rayford, second Commissioner Harris; approved. - Board resolution committing to cover costs above available state funds for the Upper Amite closing: moved, seconded and approved; legal counsel to prepare formal language for facility planning and control.

Why it matters

Commission staff said the land purchase is intended as a pilot acquisition to stabilize upper-basin channel conditions and to bolster downstream restoration work; Sawyer described a conservative funding approach rather than seeking a larger appropriation at once. Commissioners emphasized the need to avoid procedural delays that could jeopardize the closing.

What’s next

Bankston will prepare the formal resolution language requested by facility planning and control and submit it as part of the closing package. Staff and the chief advisor said they will continue coordinating with NRCS and other state and federal agencies; the matter is expected to return to the commission for final administrative steps before the closing deadline.