SLS 11RS-1973 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 66
BY SENATOR CROWE
FLOODS/FLOODING. Requests the United State Army Corps of Engineers and the United
States Coast Guard to gather information learned during the 2011 Mississippi River floods
and update plans for future flooding conditions on the river.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Coast2
Guard to gather the information learned during the 2011 Mississippi River floods,3
report their findings to the legislature, and incorporate such findings into updated4
plans for possible future flooding conditions on the lower Mississippi River.5
WHEREAS, in April 2011 major Midwest storms dropped record levels of rainfall6
in the upper Mississippi River Basin which combined with springtime snowmelt to cause the7
Mississippi River to swell to record levels and lead to backwater flooding on major8
tributaries of the river; and9
WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has been granted the10
authority to utilize certain flood control features that help maintain the river's levels and11
predicted crests during periods of high water; and12
WHEREAS, in May 2011 the Corps opened the spillways at the Bonnet Carre and13
Morganza structures and adjusted flow diversion rates at the Old River Control Structure in14
order to lower the dangerously high river levels; and15
WHEREAS, such efforts did effect the slow lowering of the river's level and were16
considered successful, however; these massive diversions of fresh river water into saltwater17
bodies such as Lake Pontchartrain can be expected to have some adverse impact on fish,18 SCR NO. 66
SLS 11RS-1973 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
wildlife and persons living in the areas where diverted water is introduced; and1
WHEREAS, the ultimate effects on such industries as oyster fishing and on the2
fragile marshes and wetlands of south Louisiana have yet to be determined, and facts should3
be gathered and determinations and findings compiled in order to better protect the safety4
and well-being of the people of Louisiana; and5
WHEREAS, despite the fact that the United States Coast Guard has been granted the6
authority to control vessel traffic on the river and enforce safety standards in the public7
interest, barges in tow, tugboats and other working vessels did experience significant8
difficulties operating safely in the extreme flood conditions, and bridges and dock facilities9
were the subject of several collision incidents; and10
WHEREAS, a failure of a working vessel on the river during extreme flood11
conditions could have catastrophic results if it impacted the levee and damaged it badly12
enough to cause a breach and massive flooding; and13
WHEREAS, the issue of massive deposits of silt, mud, sand and debris into Lake14
Pontchartrain, the Atchafalaya Basin and the marshes and in particular, the entire Southwest15
Pass where ocean going vessels require certain water depths to traverse the Mississippi River16
must be addressed by the Corps in the aftermath of the floods, and plans must be developed17
and funding streams determined and established without delay in order to begin the process18
of recovery for the region.19
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby20
urge and request that the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Coast21
Guard issue a report on their findings of the facts on the impact of the 2011 Mississippi22
River floods on the state's fish, wildlife, citizens, marshes and wetlands to the Legislature23
of Louisiana prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular Session.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U. S. Army Corps and the U. S. Coast Guard25
examine closely the impact on property, industry, and threats to the safety and well-being26
of citizens forced to evacuate to higher ground to avoid the flood waters, as well as the27
present conditions of the flood control structures used during the event and compile that data28
into a report to the Legislature of Louisiana prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular29
Session.30 SCR NO. 66
SLS 11RS-1973 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Corps determine the effects of massive1
deposits of silt, mud, sand and debris from the diversion of river water into Lake2
Pontchartrain, the Atchafalaya Basin, the marshes, and in particular, the entire Southwest3
Pass and that plans be developed and funding streams established without delay in order to4
begin the recovery process for the region.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the6
New Orleans District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States7
Coast Guard Eighth District.8
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Crowe SCR No.
Requests U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard to gather information on the
impact of the 2011 Mississippi River flood, issue a report on its findings to the legislature
prior to the 2012 Regular Session, and begin plans and funding for recovery efforts in the
region.