---

With the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations package signed into law in late March, many states are beginning to see federal dollars flow into critical projects and programs, and Louisiana is no different.

In response to the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Conference Report, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on May 13 presented Congress with its 2024 Work Plan for the Army Civil Works Program. This program funds essential infrastructure projects in Louisiana and across the country.

In Louisiana, the Corps of Engineers’ focus is on dredging our ports, levee construction and maintenance, flood mitigation, and shoreline protection. The work of the Corps of Engineers is crucial to addressing Louisiana’s unique position in global shipping and transportation, as well as assisting in hurricane preparedness and combating coastal erosion. The Louisiana congressional delegation is integral in securing federal funding for projects across the state, both through the appropriations process and the additional funding provided through the Work Plan.

The 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act allocated $8.681 billion for the Work Plan. Of that funding, Louisiana’s delegation secured nearly $614 million for projects throughout the state.

Notable projects include: 

—$210 million for dredging of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico, ensuring the river remains navigable for commercial shipping

—$62 million for dredging and other work in the Atchafalaya River

—$54 million for dredging and other work in the Calcasieu River Navigation Channel, which provides deep draft access to the Port of Lake Charles

—$20 million for levee construction and flood mitigation for the Corps’ Morganza to the Gulf hurricane and storm damage risk reduction (HSDRR) project in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes

—20 million for an upgrade to a SELA project drainage pump station

—$7.4 million for feasibility studies and preconstruction engineering for several south Louisiana projects and programs

—$5 million to support donor and energy transfer ports in the Mississippi River Ship Channel

—$3 million for the Tensas Basin, Red River Backwater

—$500,000 for a feasibility study of the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway

—$225,000 for operation and maintenance at Caddo Lake

Additional projects can be found in the Corps’ Work Plan.

While the federal budget process might seem confusing to some outside the Beltway, federal investments are essential for Louisiana. These investments protect coastal communities, strengthen infrastructure, and support Louisiana’s ports, which collectively contribute tens of billions to the national economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs statewide. Our entire congressional delegation does an incredible job year in and year out.

---

Jeff Brooks is in his sixth term as the Executive Committee chair at Adams and Reese. He helped establish the national law firm’s Washington, D.C. office in 1997.

Know the most important news affecting Louisiana

Get our free weekly newsletter that covers government, policy and politics that impact your everyday life—in 5 minutes or less.

Sign Up