HLS 23RS-891 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 64
BY REPRESENTATIVE HODGES
FLOODING/CONTROL: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and
Development to report to the legislature concerning the Darlington Reservoir project
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to report to the
3 legislature concerning the Darlington Reservoir project.
4 WHEREAS, the Comite River Diversion Canal impact has tremendous benefits in
5East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parish and it is one of five proposed projects
6recommended by the Army Corp of Engineers; and
7 WHEREAS, the five projects recommended include, the Comite Reservoir Canal,
8the East Baton Rouge flood control, the Darlington Reservoir, the Amite River Ecosystem
9Restoration, and the Bayou Manchac; and
10 WHEREAS, the purpose of these projects was, in large part, to mitigate flooding in
11the greater Baton Rouge Metro area; and
12 WHEREAS, the impact of the dry reservoir serves some communities and the impact
13of the wet reservoir serves others; and
14 WHEREAS, there are surveys being conducted in communities to see which
15reservoir would work better for Louisiana as a whole; and
16 WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers indicates it needs an
17additional three and a half years and an extra six million to study the proposed Darlington
18Dry Dam to better assess the risk of catastrophic failure and its impact on minority
19communities and archaeological sites; and
20 WHEREAS, the next level of study in the New Orleans district is still seeking
21internal agency approval that would be completely federally funded; and
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HCR NO. 64
1 WHEREAS, the corps had hoped to seek congressional authorization and funding
2in late 2021 but now wants to further explore soil conditions and perform other field work
3to ensure the proposed 3.6 mile long, 86 foot tall structure is safe.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
5urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to report to the
6legislature concerning funding and a completion timeline for the Darlington Reservoir
7project.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation shall provide
9a written report detailing the completion timeline and funding costs for the Darlington
10Reservoir project to the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and
11Public Works and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways, and
12Public Works by January 1, 2024.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
14secretary 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 64 Original 2023 Regular Session Hodges
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to provide
information concerning the next steps for the Darlington Reservoir project, as well as
estimates of costs and funding and a completion date. Requires the DOTD provide a written
report detailing the timeline and funding requirements for the Darlington Reservoir project
to the chairman of the Senate and House transportation committees by Jan. 1, 2024.
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