LWF has consistently opposed the Pearl River “One Lake Project” since it was first announced in 2018, and our opposition continues. LWF recently submitted comments to United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in response to the release of the Pearl River Basin, Mississippi, Federal Flood Risk Management Project Commander’s Report and Environmental Impact Statement voicing our unwavering rejection of Alternatives C, D, and E as set out by the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
Alternative C, along with D, and E, proposes damming and/or dredging a 10-mile section of the Pearl River near Jackson, Ms. It is LWF’s position that if these Alternatives are allowed to move forward it will reduce the downstream flow of freshwater through the Pearl River which would jeopardize water quality, the productivity of seafood, hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal restoration projects, and degrade or destroy critical habitat for countless birds, fish, reptiles and mammals.
Alternative A1, however, is an action LWF can support to achieve the goals of flood prevention and mitigation. LWF’s comments to USACE urge the Corps to pursue effective flood relief through Alternative A1’s home elevations and flood-proofing buildings and expand this plan to benefit more homes and structures, restore floodplains, raise roads, and include levee setbacks and protections for vulnerable Jackson neighborhoods.
Read LWF’s complete letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers HERE.
See the full DEIS HERE.
Learn more about LWF’s position on the Pearl River “One Lake Project” by reading our previous blogs.
- June 26, 2023 – LWF submits comments to Corps opposing proposed “One Lake” project – Louisiana Wildlife Federation
- May 19, 2023 – Controversial One Lake project impacting Pearl River on the agenda at public meetings in Slidell
- December 16, 2022 – LWF reaffirms opposition to Pearl River “One Lake” project, submits comments to Biden administration – Louisiana Wildlife Federation
- July 5, 2018 – Louisiana Wildlife Federation Joins Dozens of Organizations to Comment on Pearl River Project – Louisiana Wildlife Federation