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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 66
BY SENATOR CROWE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Coast
Guard to gather the information learned during the 2011 Mississippi River floods,
report their findings to the legislature, and incorporate such findings into updated
plans for possible future flooding conditions on the lower Mississippi River.
WHEREAS, in April 2011 major Midwest storms dropped record levels of rainfall
in the upper Mississippi River Basin which combined with springtime snowmelt to cause the
Mississippi River to swell to record levels and lead to backwater flooding on major
tributaries of the river; and
WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has been granted the
authority to utilize certain flood control features that help maintain the river's levels and
predicted crests during periods of high water; and
WHEREAS, in May 2011 the Corps opened the spillways at the Bonnet Carre and
Morganza structures and adjusted flow diversion rates at the Old River Control Structure in
order to lower the dangerously high river levels; and
WHEREAS, such efforts did effect the slow lowering of the river's level and were
considered successful, however; these massive diversions of fresh river water into saltwater
bodies such as Lake Pontchartrain can be expected to have some adverse impact on fish,
wildlife and persons living in the areas where diverted water is introduced; and
WHEREAS, the ultimate effects on such industries as oyster fishing and on the
fragile marshes and wetlands of south Louisiana have yet to be determined, and facts should
be gathered and determinations and findings compiled in order to better protect the safety
and well-being of the people of Louisiana; and SCR NO. 66 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, despite the fact that the United States Coast Guard has been granted the
authority to control vessel traffic on the river and enforce safety standards in the public
interest, barges in tow, tugboats and other working vessels did experience significant
difficulties operating safely in the extreme flood conditions, and bridges and dock facilities
were the subject of several collision incidents; and
WHEREAS, a failure of a working vessel on the river during extreme flood
conditions could have catastrophic results if it impacted the levee and damaged it badly
enough to cause a breach and massive flooding; and
WHEREAS, the issue of massive deposits of silt, mud, sand and debris into Lake
Pontchartrain, the Atchafalaya Basin and the marshes and in particular, the entire Southwest
Pass where ocean going vessels require certain water depths to traverse the Mississippi River
must be addressed by the Corps in the aftermath of the floods, and plans must be developed
and funding streams determined and established without delay in order to begin the process
of recovery for the region.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request that the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Coast
Guard issue a report on their findings of the facts on the impact of the 2011 Mississippi
River floods on the state's fish, wildlife, citizens, marshes and wetlands to the Legislature
of Louisiana prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular Session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U. S. Army Corps and the U. S. Coast Guard
examine closely the impact on property, industry, and threats to the safety and well-being
of citizens forced to evacuate to higher ground to avoid the flood waters, as well as the
present conditions of the flood control structures used during the event and compile that data
into a report to the Legislature of Louisiana prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular
Session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Corps determine the effects of massive
deposits of silt, mud, sand and debris from the diversion of river water into Lake
Pontchartrain, the Atchafalaya Basin, the marshes, and in particular, the entire Southwest
Pass and that plans be developed and funding streams established without delay in order to
begin the recovery process for the region. SCR NO. 66 ENROLLED
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
New Orleans District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States
Coast Guard Eighth District.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES