You spoke up and they listened!
In its original draft Environmental Impact Statement released in October 2021, the U.S. Army Corps (Corps) of Engineers selected the use of mitigation banks to compensate for environmental impacts that will result from the construction of the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Levee (WSLP) project.
Thanks to push back from the public and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the Corps has reconsidered its original decision. In response to public comments and CPRA’s willingness to cover any excess expenses over the original preferred alternative (mitigation bank credits), the Corps has selected the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project as its preferred alternative for mitigation of the WSLP project in its updated draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
Your continued support for the Maurepas Swamp project has been effective thus far! While this is great news, the release of the SEIS means that there is another opportunity for public comment before a final Record of Decision is made.
We look forward to celebrating the beginning of construction of the Maurepas diversion. This decision from the Corps is not only the most commonsense considering the two projects are adjacent to one another but it’s also key to saving the state time and money on the Maurepas diversion – a project that’s been planned and studied for decades.
Your action makes a difference! We’re making great progress and need your help to get this over the finish line.
Tell the Corps you support their reconsidered decision.
The Corps has also scheduled two virtual public meetings. The meetings will be conducted via WebEx and simultaneously streamed on the district’s Facebook page. The meeting dates and times are:
Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 6 p.m.
Toll Free by Phone: 1-844-800-2712
Meeting Number: 2762 265 1486
Thursday, May 12, 2022, at 10 a.m.
Toll Free by Phone: 1-844-800-2712
Meeting Number: 2760 486 9415
Log in information for the public meeting is available on the project website here: https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/BBA-2018/West-Shore-Lake-Pontchartrain/.
Contact the Corps today and let them know that you support their decision to use the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project as mitigation for construction of the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project.
Deadline for comments is Monday, May 30, 2022
Other resources
Full SEIS (Note: Executive Summary is on page 11, or ix, of document)
Maurepas Mitigation Guide