The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, and the Terrebonne Parish Port Commission have signed an agreement for contribution of additional funds which will result in more dredging and improved channel depth in the Houma Navigation Canal.
“Execution of this agreement is a tremendous accomplishment for all involved, ” said Col. Michael Clancy, commander, New Orleans District.
“It is the result of a great team effort by the local, state, and federal governments. It shows how much more we can accomplish when we pool our resources and work toward a common objective. I am very happy we were able together to get this done to have an impact this dredging season.”
Along with the congressionally appropriated $1.1 million, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government and the Terrebonne Port Commission are providing a combined $2 million to remove 700,000 cubic yards of material to meet the authorized 15-foot depth.
Terrebonne Parish’s economy depends heavily on the Houma Navigation Canal, which is used extensively by the oil industry. The Terrebonne Parish council and the Terrebonne Port agreed to supplement the Corps budget this year.
“Without the full authorized depth the parish loses business and jobs ,” said Parish President Gordon Dove . “With today’s unstable oil prices the industry has been severely cut causing thousands of lost jobs. Because our region cannot afford to lose one more job.”
The Houma Navigation canal was last dredged in 2014.
The start date of the project has not yet been set.
A cutterhead dredge will work for 90 days to create a 15 foot deep by 15 foot’ wide channel from Mile 11.0 to Mile 0.0 at the Gulf of Mexico.
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