HLS 23RS-1915 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 145
BY REPRESENTATIVE HODGES
FLOODING/CONTROL: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and
Development to evaluate all potential areas in the upper Amite River Basin on the
potential to detain and retain stormwater runoff through a system of structures
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to evaluate all
3 potential areas in the upper Amite River Basin on the potential to detain and retain
4 stormwater runoff through a system of structures.
5 WHEREAS, the Amite River Basin covers portions of Amite, Lincoln, Franklin, and
6Wilkinson Counties in southwest Mississippi and East Feliciana, St. Helena, East Baton
7Rouge, Livingston, Ascension, and Iberville Parishes in southeast Louisiana; and
8 WHEREAS, the Amite River Basin primarily has flooding from two different
9sources, the upper and lower basin; and
10 WHEREAS, the upper basin flooding is caused from headwater flooding from
11rainfall events; and
12 WHEREAS, the Amite River Basin was particularly impacted by the catastrophic
13flood of 2016; and
14 WHEREAS, the Stormwater Master plan was launched in 2017 to address drainage
15problems in the most efficient and effective way possible for citizens; and
16 WHEREAS, the plan will be developed in three phases, each phase including
17numerous activities; and
18 WHEREAS, nearly all current efforts are focused solely on improving drainage to
19the point of exceeding the physical capacities of the lower watershed, and a responsible
20alternative is necessary; and
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HCR NO. 145
1 WHEREAS, the Comite River Diversion Canal Project is underway to alleviate
2flooding that affects thousands of residents; and
3 WHEREAS, alleviating flooding in the Amite River is an essential component in
4preparation for the next major rain event.
5 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
6urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to evaluate all potential
7areas in the upper Amite River Basin on the potential to detain and retain stormwater runoff
8through a system of structures.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the study shall consist of the upper Amite River
10Basin North of the I-12 corridor where detention or retention of storm water runoff could
11have a positive and meaningful impact on the volume and timing of stormwater reaching the
12middle and lower Amite River Basin.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the study shall determine if water supply sources and
14recreational facilities are able to be incorporated into the detention and retention structures
15and shall consider, at a minimum, the following:
16 (1) The development of a plan of managed storage or retention in sufficient volumes
17to reduce flood impact to downstream areas for multiple storm sizes and durations, including
18the development of conceptual designs and potential system operation guidance to minimize
19flows downstream.
20 (2) The evaluation of impacts by incorporating existing and proposed drainage
21improvements to quantify effects on the entire watershed.
22 (3) An evaluation of how benefits of detention and retention in the upper Amite
23River Basin could support further efforts to improve drainage or flood control efforts in the
24lower Amite River Basin.
25 (4) A determination of the viability of water supply and recreational facilities at each
26detention and retention structure.
27 (5) A determination of the social and economic impacts and benefits both upstream
28and downstream of each structure.
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HCR NO. 145
1 (6) An evaluation of the environmental impacts and benefits upstream and
2downstream from each structure and an evaluation of the potential impacts and benefits to
3the aquifers.
4 (7) The development of the feasibility of design and construction with cost estimates
5of the detention and retention structures, in compliance R.S. 38:21.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
7Development shall recognize and acknowledge the efforts completed by others by utilizing
8recently collected data, modeling efforts, and previous studies to reduce duplication of effort
9and accelerate the study process.
10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
11Development shall provide a written report detailing the completion timeline and the
12associated costs for the evaluation of the upper Amite River Basin to the chairman of the
13House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the chairman of the
14Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works by January 1, 2024.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
16secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 145 Original 2023 Regular Session Hodges
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to evaluate all
potential areas of the upper Amite River Basin as well as estimates of costs associated and
a completion date. Requires the DOTD provide a written report detailing the evaluation and
funding requirements for the upper Amite River Basin to the chairman of Senate and House
transportation committees by Jan. 1, 2024.
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