USA: Great News for Port of Iberia Dredging Plan

U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., praised the passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) reauthorization bill that includes important Army Corps reforms and streamlines the authorization for projects in Southwest Louisiana, including language to allow the deepening of the Port of Iberia channel and Sabine-Neches Waterway, along with increased dredging for the Port of Lake Charles.

The Port of Iberia project’s inclusion comes after months of work by Sen. Landrieu and her Senate colleagues to overcome the ideological opposition of House negotiators that considered the project modification an earmark. In the fall 2013, after passage of the Senate WRDA bill, the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District and Vermillion Parish Police Jury passed resolutions in support of the requested revision, but, despite the cost savings, the House failed to include the language in its bill.