Memorializes congress to provide adequate funding to the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the completion of deepening the Mississippi River Ship Channel to fifty feet
Impact
If funded and completed, the deepening of the Mississippi River Ship Channel is expected to have a considerable impact on state laws relating to trade, shipping, and economic development. The resolution posits that each additional foot of deepening would result in an increase of approximately one million dollars in cargo capacity per vessel, potentially enhancing trade flow and boosting job creation linked to shipping and logistics sectors. By acknowledging the channel's importance, the resolution seeks to prompt legislative dialogue around infrastructure needs at both state and federal levels.
Summary
House Resolution 307 urges the United States Congress to allocate sufficient funding to the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the crucial project aimed at deepening the Mississippi River Ship Channel to a depth of fifty feet. This project is seen as essential for improving access for larger Post-Panamax ships following the expansion of the Panama Canal, facilitating better export and import capabilities for goods traveling through this vital waterway. The resolution emphasizes the project's significance in supporting the economic prosperity of not only Louisiana but also thirty-one other states that would benefit from the enhanced waterway capacity.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HR 307 is generally supportive, reflecting a collective recognition among legislators of the economic benefits associated with this infrastructure project. Legislators may see the bill as an opportunity to advocate for investment in critical infrastructure, which they believe is vital for maintaining and enhancing economic vitality in Louisiana and beyond. However, while the bill itself is less contentious, underlying discussions may arise concerning the prioritization of federal funding for infrastructure projects, especially given competing needs in different regions.
Contention
The resolution notes the substantial economic implications of the project, which currently facilitates approximately seven hundred fifty billion dollars of the nation's economy and is responsible for 2.4 million jobs. Nonetheless, the push for additional federal funding to complete the channel's deepening could lead to discussions about infrastructure funding allocations, where some legislators may argue for or against the prioritization of such projects compared to others that might address immediate local concerns. As such, while HR 307 is not directly contentious, its implications on funding and prioritization could spark debates within Congress.
Memorializes Congress to provide adequate funding to the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the completion of deepening the Mississippi River Ship Channel to fifty feet.
Requests the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider additional water diversion projects in addition to the Bonnet Carre' and Morganza Spillways to address high water issues on the Mississippi River.
Expresses opposition to the "One Lake" project proposing to dam the Pearl River and to build a 1,500 acre lake near Jackson, Mississippi and requests the United States Army Corps of Engineers to deny a pending permit for the project.
Memorializes the U.S. Congress to support the Water Resources Development Act of 2022, including the amendment to review recreational hazards at the banks of the Mississippi River in Louisiana