Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi is one of only four states receiving additional funds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging and flood control along its major tributaries, according to U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran.

Cochran, R-Miss., said in a news release that the Corps of Engineers will give an additional $14.4 million to Mississippi this year to support more dredging, flood control, and other construction and maintenance projects.

Cochran said Congress approved the additional funding in January. In addition to Mississippi, portions of the funding will be used in Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Cochran said some of the funds will go to dredging projects at the harbors at Rosedale, Greenville, Vicksburg, Gulfport and Pascagoula.

It will also assist with the maintenance of flood control projects like Arkabutla Lake, which provides critical flood protection for the Mississippi Delta while enhancing outdoor recreation and tourism.

"The Army Corps of Engineers has determined that it should direct funding for channel management, flood control and other work needed in Mississippi, which is good news for areas of our state whose safety and livelihoods rely on these projects," said Cochran.

Cochran serves on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Corps of Engineers.

"Congress is not funding 'new starts' projects without authorization or a presidential request, so the commitment to direct additional resources to Mississippi should help ensure the safety and viability of river management projects and infrastructure in our state," Cochran said.

Cochran said the Corps of Engineers has indicated it will direct resources for the following MR&T projects in Mississippi this year:

— $2.8 million, Yazoo Basin, Delta Headwater Project.

— $800,000, Yazoo Basin, Big Sunflower.

— $520,000, Big Sunflower River Watershed.

— $400,000, Yazoo Basin, Yazoo Backwater Area.

The Corps of Engineers is also using its discretion to add funding to four Mississippi projects:

— $1.5 million additional for Yazoo Basin, Arkabutla Lake maintenance.

— $1.7 million additional for Yazoo Backwater Area maintenance.

— $500,000 additional for Vicksburg Harbor dredging.

— $500,000 additional for Greenville Harbor dredging.

Mississippi projects will also receive $1.36 million through the Corps of Engineer's general construction account. This funding includes:

— $1.16 million for DeSoto County wastewater treatment.

— $200,000 for Mississippi environmental infrastructure.

Through the general operation and maintenance account, the Corps of Engineers is also adding funding for Mississippi projects that received specified funding by Congress:

— $918,000 additional for Gulfport Harbor for navigation maintenance.

— $141,000 addition for the mouth of Yazoo River navigation maintenance.

— $45,000 additional for Okatibbee Lake improvements.

— $2 million additional for Pascagoula Harbor navigation maintenance.

— $1.19 million additional for Rosedale Harbor navigation maintenance and improvements.

Cochran said Congress also approved $134.9 million for bank stabilization and improvement dredging along the Mississippi River main channel in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky and Illinois; and $31.3 million for Mississippi River levee improvements.