Army Corps of Engineers, DeSoto County Sign Pact on North DeSoto County Storm Water Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study

HERNANDO, MISS. - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today credited a team effort attitude that will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a feasibility study on how best to address storm water runoff and flood risk abatement in DeSoto County.

Hyde-Smith on Friday attended the signing of a cost-share agreement between DeSoto County and the Army Corps to begin a feasibility study on the need to improve flood control, ecosystem restoration, water quality, and other problems related to storm water runoff and management in north DeSoto County.

"This effort to bring much-needed flood relief to north DeSoto County is long overdue, and represents an important first step toward a positive solution," said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. "This was truly a team effort that illustrates wise, responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Everyone has some skin in the game. Empowering communities by leveraging federal and local investments helps improve the federal-local relationship and advance shared priorities."

In early May, Hyde-Smith wrote the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to allocate for $1.5 million in Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) appropriations to begin the feasibility study on the DeSoto County project, which was authorized by Congress in 1996. Her recommendation was accepted in June.

The outcome of the study is critical to determining the feasibility of perusing cost-share mitigation projects in the Horn Lake and Coldwater River watersheds, areas that have experienced rapid development and flood frequencies.

President Trump today signed into law the FY2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. Overall, the new law directly provides $73.3 million for 28 authorized Corps of Engineers projects in Mississippi, including $5.5 million for operation and maintenance work at Arkabutla Lake in DeSoto County.

It also provides an additional $118 million in MR&T funding for flood control and other authorized work; $77 million for environmental infrastructure, which will be eligible to assist the DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority (DCRUA) with its ongoing wastewater treatment improvements; and $66 million for the Continuing Authorities Program to allow the Corps to undertake small, localized flood control and related projects

Read this original document at: https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/content/hyde-smith-credits-team-effort-joint-army-corps-north-desoto-agreement-flood-relief