WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today commended the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its plan to invest an additional $55.9 million in Mississippi to support infrastructure improvements throughout the state.

The Corps of Engineers on Monday released its FY2018 Work Plan, which outlines additional funding for ongoing Civil Works projects.  The Congress provided these appropriated funds for the Army Corps to use at its discretion.  The Mississippi Senators earlier this year encouraged the Army Corps to support projects that were unfunded or underfunded in the FY2018 budget.

“These projects in the Army Corps work plan demonstrate the far-reaching impact of the Mississippi River and Tributaries project as a vehicle for critical water and port infrastructure investment,” Wicker said.  “The additional investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will pay dividends for Mississippi’s communities.”

“Mississippians will see benefits from the Army Corps of Engineers decision to apply additional funding to water, wastewater and other infrastructure programs in our state,” Hyde-Smith said.  “I credit the Army Corps for identifying priority projects that have local support and can help improve public safety and the quality of life in Mississippi.”

Of significance, the 2018 Work Plan will provide $3.6 million in construction funds to support the DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority wastewater facility and $1.5 million for a storm water management study for North DeSoto County.  An additional $2.4 million would support water supply work in Flowood and wastewater infrastructure in Starkville.

On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Army Corps will direct an additional $3.0 million to dredge the Port of Gulfport.  Another $1.19 million would support dredging at Rosedale Harbor and $131,000 for similar work at the mouth of the Yazoo River.

The Army Corps will also use $45.3 million to invest in Mississippi River and Tributaries projects in the state, including $27.1 million in construction funding for the Delta Headwaters, Upper Yazoo, Big Sunflower River, and Yazoo Backwater Area flood control projects.   Progress on these four projects would enhance flood control, water quality, sediment reduction, and help the environment in the region.

The following is a review of the Mississippi projects funded in the FY2018 Work Plan:

Construction Account

• $3,627,000 – Desoto County Wastewater Treatment, Short Fork Effluent Pump Station Clarifier
• $2,400,000 – Mississippi Environmental Infrastructure (MS 592), Flowood water supply system improvements and Starkville sanitary system improvements

Operation and Maintenance Account

• $3,000,000 – Port of Gulfport for maintenance dredging
• $250,000 – Okatibbee Lake operation and maintenance activities
• $1,190,000 – Rosedale Harbor maintenance dredging
• $131,000 – Yazoo River dredging at the mouth of the river

Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) Account

Investigations ($1.5 million)

• $1,500,000 – North Desoto County storm water management study

Construction ($27.1 million)

• $8,950,000 – Delta Headwaters Project
• $8,000,000 – Upper Yazoo Projects
• $4,200,000 – Big Sunflower River Project
• $6,000,000 – Yazoo Backwater Area Project

Operation and Maintenance ($16.6 million)

• $5,144,000 – Arkabutla Lake
• $3,960,000 – Enid Lake
• $1,477,000 – Grenada Lake
• $3,289,000 – Sardis Lake
• $200,000 – Big Sunflower River
• $600,000 – Greenwood
• $904,000 – MS main stem
• $450,000 – Yazoo basin tributaries
• $360,000 – Whittington auxiliary channel
• $250,000 – Yazoo Backwater Area
• $40,000 – Yazoo City