Major improvements are coming to numerous cities’ water infrastructure across the state of Mississippi thanks to funds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
$55.9 million dollars has been allocated for Mississippi projects from the Corps of Engineers FY2018 Work Plan, and the funds will be dispersed throughout 22 different water infrastructure, flood control and other projects.
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.
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith commended the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its plan, and said that the funds will have an immediate impact on Mississippi’s infrastructure.
“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.”
A full list of the projects set to receive funds and their costs can be seen below:
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
• $1,500,000 – 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
• $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
