WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today pushed representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider adjustments to flood control infrastructure to reduce the severity of impacts from the opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway when waters rise in the Mississippi River. This year the spillway remained open an unprecedented 123 days, resulting in fisheries loss and economic impacts for Mississippi’s coast communities.

“We certainly want to do what we can on Mississippi River flooding, but I just don’t think it has to be done at the expense of our small business people and residents who depend on the saltwater of the Mississippi Sound,” Wicker said.

Wicker has submitted a formal request to the committee to authorize a comprehensive study of water management techniques, structures, and features along the Lower Mississippi River in the 2020 Water Resources Development Act.

The participants in today’s hearing included:

• Mr. Ryan A. Fisher, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
• Lieutenant General Todd Semonite, Commanding General and Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Ms. Charlotte Bertrand, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Policy, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency