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Commission debates ARBC's role in managing LWI projects as Water Institute reports remaining RCBG funds
Summary
Garvin Pittman of the Water Institute reported about $230,000 remains on the Region 9 capacity‑building grant; commissioners discussed whether ARBC should act as a regional program manager for stalled projects or instead support applicants, and staff said the grant program management funds expire at year end.
Garvin Pittman, representing the Water Institute and the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (Region 9), told commissioners the regional capacity‑building grant has "about $230,000 remaining" and staff expect most of it to be spent by year end as regional projects move forward.
Commissioners debated whether ARBC should play a more active program management role to unstick stalled projects or invite applicants to sign cooperative agreements. Paul Sawyer noted that ARBC does not currently have management control over many individual LWI projects because separate applicants retain responsibility; he said ARBC can help unstick projects, and in at least one case ARBC's involvement led to awarding a design contract. Sawyer also reminded the commission that some program management funds and specific contract authority expire at the end of the year and that staff will prioritize actions that can be completed within funding windows.
Commissioners emphasized the potential value of a unified project management approach and the need to identify match funding and staff capacity if ARBC were to take on broader management responsibilities. Pittman agreed to circulate the action items and project list to commissioners for review.
