IMPACT_Fall11_HR.qxd:Layout 1 8/26/11 9:31 AM Page 1 impactMISSISSIPPILEVEEBOARD NEWSLETTER “Where people come first” Fall 2011 • Vol. 10, No. 1 THE GREAT OF 2011 - A SUCCESS STORY Overview of the 2011 Flood MR&T Project Fully Implemented he 2011 Flood was a historical event all along the Following the devas- River reached 1,250,000 Lower . The 2011 Flood was a multi- tating 1927 Flood, the cfs. The Morganza Thundred year event on the Mississippi River with the U.S. Congress passed Floodway was opened on crest being 3.2' above the 100-year flood. The fact that the the 1928 May 14, 2011, when the Act, which authorized flow in the Mississippi contained the 2011 Flood Event limiting the flooding to and created the River reached 1,500,000 the riverside and no flooding occurred on the protected side Mississippi River & cfs. The only other time of the levee was a tremendous success story. The 2011 crest Tributaries Project in history this floodway was 6' above 1973 crest and, depending on the gage location, (MR&T). The MR&T was opened was in 1973. broke or came very close to breaking the 1927 & 1937 record Project includes uniform , flood- All three of these floodways were opened levels. A total of 2.272 million cubic feet per sec (mcfs) flowed ways, channel improvements and major to save Baton Rouge and , past Vicksburg at the crest. The flow of the Mississippi River tributary improvements. 2011 was the first L.A. The operation of these three flood- during the 2011 Flood broke all previous record flows. In 2011 year where all the features of the MR&T ways did not help the Mississippi Levee the MR&T levees protected 4.1 million people and prevented Project had to be utilized at the same time. District. 10 million acres from being flooded and prevented $108 billion The Birds Point/New Madrid Levee was in damages. intentionally breached by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) on May 6, 2011 Weather Patterns: 2011 at 61.0' at the Cairo Gage. The only How Did this Happen?

Crest at Greenville city front. Summary The 2011 Flood is the new benchmark Greenville, MS highwater event that will be used from other time in history the Corps blew this this point forward. The safe passage of levee was in 1937. This was done to save this multi-hundred year event is a testa- the city of Cairo, IL. This feature did not ment to the daily maintenance activities of help the Mississippi Levee District. the Levee Board Staff and Crew, the Levee In Kentucky both the Kentucky Dam Non-MR&T Levee overtopping and failing during 2011 flood. Board Commissioners leadership and along the Tennessee River and Barkley On February 22 the Mississippi River at the Greenville dedication to flood control for the gage was 17.3'. This stage was 12' below average for this Mississippi Delta, Congress’s yearly wise time of year. A massive rainfall event over the Ohio River appropriations for construction and main- system combined with the snow melt caused a very sharp tenance for the MR&T Project, and the rise in the Mississippi River. In 10 days the Greenville Corps of Engineers vision, foresight, engi- Gage rose 20.5' to stage 37.8'. The Greenville Gage crest- neering and construction. Those involved ed on March 29th at 48.8'. By April 13 in this event will remember the 2011 Flood for the rest of their lives. All these Greenville dropped to 40.2'. Then rainfall Morganza Spillway opens people were needed, much appreciated events 600 percent to 1000 percent above Dam along the and heros for the Mississippi Delta. I average over a two–week period over the Cumberland River were entire Mississippi River Valley occurred and filled to maximum capaci- the Greenville Gage was forecast to reach ty in order to reduce the 65'. Luckily, over the next few weeks leading flow into the Mississippi up to the crest there was very little rainfall River. Highwater mark over the Mississippi River Valley. This dry weather kept The Old River Control Structure was us from reaching a crest closer to the Project Design operated and it helps maintain a 70/30 lat- Flood (PDF). The PDF for the Greenville Gage is 72.2'. itude flow between the Mississippi River The Mississippi River at Greenville crested at 64.2' on and the . The Bonnet May 17th which is 8' below the PDF. Carre Spillway was operated on May 9, 2011, when the flow in the Mississippi IMPACT_Fall11_HR.qxd:Layout 1 8/26/11 9:31 AM Page 2

Corps Assists In Providing Protective Measures

attended this meeting. Most res- Construction to install this poly Buck Chute idents understood that this sheeting and work started May action was being taken to pre- 7th and was completed by May vent a levee failure and devasta- 11th. The Corps had predicted tion to the area including their that this four mile section of the homes and property. The Corps YBW Levee was the only part began raising water levels in subject to overtopping with a Eagle Lake on April 30th and forecast of 57.5 at the Vicksburg finished on May 13th. Gage. After all these protective measures were If the YBW Levee overtopped and the poly taken, we did not have any issues at Buck sheeting kept the levee from eroding away and Chute during the duration of the epic 2011 failing, only 1 foot of water was predicted to be Flood. I added to the protected landside of the YBW Levee in the YBW Area. If the YBW Levee failed, Corps building earthen water berm around sandboils Yazoo Backwater Levee it was predicted that the YBW Area would at Buck Chute. reach 106'. At this elevation 1.2 million acres would be flooded, Hwy 61 would be underwa- n early 2010 several large sandboils were dis- Predicted to Overtop ter, numerous towns and cities such as Rolling covered at Sta. 110 Brunswick Extension The Yazoo Backwater (YBW) Levee is Fork and Mayersville would be flooded. This ILevee (BEL) at Buck Chute. This area was designed to overtop during a major flood would be a devastating event. In 1973 the South considered the weakest part of our entire levee event to take pressure off the Mainline system. The Vicksburg District performed sur- Delta was flooded up to elevation 101.5'. In Mississippi River Levee. The YBW Levee is 1973, Hwy 61 remained above water and veys and borings and designed a plan to build a approximately 12' lower than the Mainline 1,500' long, 200' to 240' wide landside berm and Rolling Fork and Mayersville were not flooded. (25) relief wells. This contract was scheduled to Mississippi River Levee. A public meeting was held May 4th at the be advertised when the 2011 highwater event The YBW Levee is designed at a uniform National Guard Armory in Rolling Fork. Over started. In March 2011, the Levee Board crew 107' elevation. The U.S. Army Corps of 1,500 people attended. The South Mississippi filled in large holes (10-15' diameter and 6' deep) Engineers had predicted that the YBW Levee Delta residents were notified that the YBW with sand and placed engineering fabric over the would overtop at a Vicksburg Gage reading Levee was predicted to overtop, but the Corps sand filled holes and re-built the sandbag rings 56.3. On May 2, 2011 the NWS raised the fore- was going to armor the slope to prevent the around the holes. The crew also built a small cast to 57.5 at Vicksburg. YBW Levee from failing. Residents were earthen dike around the entire area to place addi- warned that the YBW Levee might not survive tional head over these boils. Corps Armors the Landside the overtopping and if it failed it would flood up On April 20th the National Weather Service to elevation 106'. Residents were told to pre- (NWS) predicted Greenville to reach 49'. On Slope of the YBW Levee pare and make plans to evacuate if the YBW April 23rd the Corps Hired Labor Crew began Levee failed. building an earthen water berm around the entire sandboil site at Sta. 110BEL at Buck Yazoo Backwater Levee Chute. They removed all the trees from with- in this two acre site and filled the area with Did NOT Overtop 20,000 c.y. of sand. For extra precautionary purposes, the As it turned out the Vicksburg Gage crested Corps decided to raise the water level in at 57.1' and the water came within 4" of over- Eagle Lake from 77.7' to 90'. This would be topping the YBW Levee but it did not overtop done by opening Muddy Bayou Structure and the YBW Levee held. In fact, at its peak on May 19, 2011, the YBW Levee held out 16.33' of water at the Steele Bayou Structure. The Corps prediction of overtopping at 56.3' proved to be 1.2' conser- vative. It appears that the YBW Levee will over- top at Vicksburg Gage 57.5'. If the forecast is greater than 58' at Vicksburg, the entire 28 Poly sheeting being installed on landside slope of YBW Levee. miles of YBW Levee will be overtopped. There On May 4th the Vicksburg District Corps are plans to eventually raise the entire YBW decided to “armor” the landside slope of the Levee from elevation 107.0' to 112.8'. I YBW Levee from Sta. 0 YBWL to the Steele Bayou Structure (Sta. 212 YBWL) to prevent Corps filling Buck Chute sandboil area with sand. the levee from eroding during a prolonged overtopping event. The Corps used poly sheet- allowing Steele Bayou water to flow into the ing (40 mils thick) as the armor. The poly lake. This would put a 5' head of water over sheeting was placed in a 1' wide by 2' deep the covered boils. At 90' no homes along trench at the landside crown of the YBW Levee Eagle Lake would be flooded but many docks and rolled down to the landside toe. The poly and piers would be covered with water and sheeting was pinned and the trench was back- possibly damaged. A public meeting was held filled with material and sandbags lined the top April 29th at Eagle Lake to discuss what was and bottom of the poly sheeting. The poly happening at Buck Chute and the need to sheeting seams were “welded” together to raise the lake level. Approximately 300 people make one continuous sheet for approximately four miles. The Corps contracted with Fordice Water within 4" of the top of the YBW Levee. 2  MISSISSIPPI LEVEE BOARD IMPACT_Fall11_HR.qxd:Layout 1 8/26/11 9:31 AM Page 3

12 Problem Areas During the Flood n May 8th at Greenville covered with stone. The Corps Sta. 4920 — Levee Board built Gage 60.2' and rising, the built a stone dike at the landside sandbag ring in a ditch around a Osandboils started moving toe of the levee and filled from sandboil, blocked off other road- material. The sandboils finally the dike to the levee with sand in side ditches containing sand- slowed down by May 26th at order to stabilize the levee slide. boils, and placed barrels over Greenville, MS Ben Lomond Rd. Greenville Gage 60.4' and falling. (4) FRANCIS, MS — sandboils numerous other sandboils. There were (12) major problem at Sta. 151 — Levee Board built (9) LEOTA — Sta. 5615 — areas discovered during the 2011 sandbag ring around boils. The Levee Board built sandbag rings Flood that needed attention and Corps built an earthen water around several sandboils. remedial work: berm around boil area. (10) CLARENCE HALL ROAD NORTH TO SOUTH: — Sta. 6050-6065 — Levee Board Wayside, MS (1) YBW LEVEE PREDICTED (5) BLACK BAYOU CUT-OFF — placed barrels over numerous TOOVERTOP — The Corps Sta. 3650 — Levee Board built an sandboils. armored the landside slope with earthen weir at Sta. 3650 just (11) BEN LOMOND ROAD & poly sheeting. Low areas along downstream of the old sandbag ATCO WOODS — Sta. 7110-7175 the YBW Levee below elevation weir. This earthen weir placed 5' — Levee Board blocked off 107’ were filled in. of head over numerous sand- ditches to flood ditch and land- (2) BUCK CHUTE — Sta. 110 boils in the bottom of the ditch. leveled field with sandboils, and BEL — sandboils — The Corps (6) WINTERVILLE — Sta. Tara Wildlife Clarence Hall Rd. built earthen water berm, filled 3703-3715 — Levee Board built placed barrels over numerous with sand, covered with stone, sandbag rings around several other sandboils. and raised Eagle Lake water lev- sandboils and placed barrels (12) TARA WILDLIFE — Sta. els. over 3 other sandboils. 208-327 BEL — Levee Board (3) ALBERMARLE — Goose (7) GREENVILLE — Buck built sandbag rings around sev- Lake Road — Sta. 8170 — Levee Shot Marine — Sta. 4030 — eral sandboils and placed barrels Slide and sandboil — Levee Levee Board built sandbag rings over numerous sandboils. I Board built stone dike around around several sandboils. boils and filled with sand and (8) WAYSIDE — Avis Road — Leota, MS

Lake Albermarle Francis, MS Francis, MS Black Bayou Cut-Off Winterville, MS POST FLOOD ACTIVITIES 2011FLOOD ASSISTANCE $1 BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION NEEDED Numerous agencies helped dur- providing filled sandbags, lights, ing this historic flood event. The and workers. The MR&T Project proved to Corps of Engineers Greenwood The Washington, Bolivar, be very successful during the Area Office provided inspection Issaquena and Warren County 2011 Flood. It will take vehicles and employees to patrol Sheriffs provided deputies for ~$1B to restore the MR&T and inspect the levee 24 hours a day. patrolling the levee and keeping the public off the levee while it was system before the next The Corps of Engineers Vicksburg closed. Washington, Bolivar and highwater season. The District provided engineers to pro- Issaquena Counties provided Birds Point/New Madrid New Madrid, MO. Levee damage vide technical assistance. The Mississippi Department of Levee will need to be re- be lobbying Congress Corps of Engineers Hired Labor Correction inmates for assistance in Crew mobilized and fixed several filling and placing sandbags. This is built, major repairs need to for a $1B Supplemental problem areas along our levee sys- the first time that the Levee Board be made to the Floodways, and Appropriation for the MR&T tem. The Yazoo-Mississippi Delta has used inmates for the physically major maintenance money will Project in order to repair, Joint Water Management District draining sandbag work. Numerous be needed to reset the levee sys- restore and rebuild the levee provided employees to serve as organizations, churches and people provided the Levee Board staff and tem. The Mississippi Valley system following the 2011 inspectors. The Washington, Bolivar crew with lunches during the flood Flood Control Association will Flood. I and Issaquena County Emergency event. Numerous people volun- Management Agency (EMA) direc- teered their time, services and 2011FLOOD tors were engaged and helped with equipment to help in the fight. I YAZOO BACKWATER FLOOD EVENT Steele Bayou Structure was gates were closed, the closed on April 25th at 87.0'. Mississippi Delta had very little This Structure remained closed rainfall and the Yazoo for 55 days until it reopened at Backwater Area only got to 89.9' on June 18th. The normal 89.9'. This flooded 215,000 acres rainfall for this time of year is 7" including 68,000 acres of farm- which would have brought the land. The estimated crop dam- backwater up to 94'. Fortunately age for the Yazoo Backwater during this period while the Area is $62,397,000. I IMPACT NEWSLETTER  3 IMPACT_Fall11_HR.qxd:Layout 1 8/26/11 9:32 AM Page 4

Board Meeting Recaps Commissioner Profile OCTOBER, 2010: The Board took the following action at the October 4, Paul Hollis: New Sharkey County Commissioner 2010 regular board meeting: authority was given to advertise for work- Paul Hollis equipment operator on the Lake er’s compensation insurance; concurred with permits issued to was sworn in Albemarle landside slide to sand- Montgomery Island Hunting Club for a mobile home, Twin County as the new bagging numerous sandboils to Electric for a service line to Valewood Plantation, and Lakeside Mississippi attending public meetings. Telephone Company for a fiber optical line construction; presented a Levee Board Paul is a native of Amory, Commissioner Mississippi. He attended Baylor Resolution of Appreciation to Johnny Robinson for his 10 years of serv- for Sharkey School in Chattanooga, TN where ice as a Levee Commissioner for Washington County from 2000-2010; County on his football team was the 1973 November 9, 2010 was set as the date for annual levee inspection trip; January 10, State and National High School 2011 and he hit Football Champion. Paul graduat- received report from the Chief Engineer on all ongoing projects in the the ground ed from Mississippi State Mississippi Levee District. I running. Paul had two Board University and has lived in meetings under his belt before Rolling Fork since 1979 where he The Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners held the spring rains gave birth is actively engaged in JANUARY, 2011: to the historic 2011 farming corn, soy- their regular board meeting on January 10, 2011. The Levee Board Mississippi River flood. beans and wheat. took the following action during it’s January meeting: reviewed bids and Paul was heavily involved He and his wife awarded Worker’s Compensation Insurance to South Group Insurance; in the Levee Board’s flood Laura are active mem- fight activities from relief bers of the United authorized advertisement of bids for Business Auto/ Public Officials & Methodist Church in Employees/ Liability/ Contractors Equipment Insurance, chemicals, Rolling Fork. vehicles and fence material; concurred with permit issued to Valewood Commissioner Hollis stated, “While I Plantation for a Lodge on the top bank of the Old River Chute and am not originally from here, this Sunoco Pipeline for a communication tower; presented a Resolution of is my home and it was truly an Appreciation to Laurance Carter for his 12 years of service as a Levee honor for me to be able to serve Commissioner for Sharkey County from 1998-2010; authorized a del- the people of Sharkey County during this historic 2011 highwa- egation to the MVFCA Congressional Meetings March 28-30 in ter event.” I Washington, D.C. to discuss FY 2012 Appropriations for Corps projects in the Mississippi Delta; and received status reports on all the ongoing projects in the Mississippi Levee District and meetings attended. I 2011 LEVEE BOARD

APRIL, 2011: The Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners held their regular board meeting on April 4, 2011: reviewed bids and awarded general liability, automobile and property insurance to South Group Insurance and a 1/2-ton 4-wheel drive pick-up to Cannon Ford; author- ized advertisement of bids for helicopter application; awarded pur- chase of fence material from McCoy’s; awarded purchase of a hydraulic excavator from Lyle Machinery; concurred with permits issued to Twin County Electric for aerial electrical service lines to span the levee at Laney’s Camp and Chotard Resort; and received status reports on all ongoing projects in the Mississippi Levee District and meetings attend- ed. I

JULY, 2011: The Board took the following action at the July 11, 2011 COMMISSIONERS: regular board meeting: hosted a public hearing on the proposed ad val- FRED A. BALLARD,JR., PRESIDENT, Washington County orem tax increase; adopted 2011-2012 budget; set ad valorem tax KENNETH RODGERS,VICE-PRESIDENT, Humphreys County rate of 2.64 mils; received Chief Engineer’s Annual Report on the levee, JAMES W. HOUSE,JR., Bolivar County interior drainage and on all ongoing projects in the Mississippi Levee NOTT WHEELER,JR., Bolivar County District; accepted bid on helicopter application work by Provine ROY NICHOLS, Issaquena County Helicopters; authorized advertisement of bids for two tractors, low-boy HANK BURDINE, Washington County trailer, skid steer and a heavy duty trailer; authorized a delegation to PAUL HOLLIS, Sharkey County the MVFCA Annual Congressional Meeting September 13-14 in Washington, D.C. to discuss FY 2012 Appropriations for Corps projects STAFF: in the Mississippi Delta; authorized a delegation for the National PETER NIMROD, Chief Engineer Waterways Conference September 19-21 in Fort Worth, TX; received a ROBERT M. THOMPSON, Assistant Engineer report of the historic 2011 Flood on the Mississippi River; and received CHARLES S. TINDALL, III, Attorney JUDY B. ROSS, Treasurer status reports on all ongoing projects in the Mississippi Levee District GINGER MORLINO, Secretary and meetings attended. I PATRICK BOLLS, Maintenance Superintendent RICK BOYD, Engineering Technician 4  MISSISSIPPI LEVEE BOARD IMPACT_Fall11_HR.qxd:Layout 1 8/26/11 9:33 AM Page 5

Levee Board Attends Meetings in D.C. The Mississippi Levee Board opportunity for the Levee Board Mainline Mississippi River Levee Annual meeting with the traveled to Washington, D.C. and to discuss funding requirements Enlargement & Berms project Mississippi Congressional met with the Mississippi for U.S. Army Corps of and the status of the lawsuit Delegation seeks appropri- Congressional Delegation during Engineers projects in the against EPA over the Yazoo March 28-30, 2011. This annual Mississippi Delta. Backwater Project. Funding ations for flood control trip provides the delegation with During the visits with the requests for U.S. Army Corps of projects and provides a status update of ongoing flood Congressional Delegation, Chief Engineers projects within the ongoing project updates control projects in the Engineer, Peter Nimrod provid- Mississippi Delta were present- Mississippi Delta and it is an ed updates on the existing ed to the Delegation. I

Cong. Bennie Thompson Steele Bayou Levee Enlargement Projects Sedimentation Work continuing despite limited funding from Congress Reduction Project Work is progressing on the provide enough money for the Phase VI to be awarded soon levee enlargement and berm MR&T Project. The Levee Board The Steele Bayou Sedimentation Reduction projects in the Mississippi Levee has obtained all right-of-way for Project was started in 2007 and includes the District. The Corps has complet- this item of work. I installation of grade/water control structures ed 32.0 miles of levee and cur- (flash board riser pipes) at headcut sites along Steele Bayou. These structures have enhanced rently has another 8.1 miles property and keep Steele Bayou from receiving under contract of the original 69 too much sediment which is bad for flood con- miles of deficient levee. Item trol and water quality. This project does not cost 474L, a 3.4 mile conventional the landowner anything but they have to supply levee enlargement project which borrow material from their spoil bank to cover the structure. Phases I through IV are now com- ties into MS State Highway 465 plete and include 45 sites on Steele Bayou. on top of the levee, is 83% com- Phase V is currently 74% complete and includes plete. Item 468L, a 4.7 mile con- LEVEE ENLARGEMENT 10 sites on Main Canal and 1 site on Black ventional levee enlargement proj- PROJECT UPDATE: Bayou. Phase VI will be awarded this Summer ect is 45% complete. This item is Completed Work - 32.0 miles - and will include 4 sites on Steele Bayou, 2 sites on Main Canal and 3 sites on Black Bayou. on the northern portion of MS Items 477L, 488L, 496L & 502L Of the original 100+ headcut sites identified Hwy 465 to Goose Lake Road. On-going Construction: by the Corps on Steele Bayou, 45 sites have been Item 463L, a 2.7 mile convention- Item 474L - 3.4 miles - 83% completed or are under construction by the al levee enlargement project was Complete Item 468L - 4.7 miles - 45% Corps and another 37 sites have been completed scheduled to be awarded this by Delta FARM. This is a great success story for Complete minimizing erosion and keeping sediment out of Spring but the advertisement was Future work remaining - 28.9 miles Steele Bayou thereby helping flood control and cancelled when Congress did not at the same time improving water quality. I STEELE BAYOU SEDIMENTATION 2011 Washington County 2010 Annual Bus Inspection REDUCTION PROJECT UPDATE: Completed Work: Leadership Class Phase I, II, III & IV - 45 sites On-going Construction: Phase V - 10 sites - 74% Complete Future Work: Phase VI – 9 sites – to be awarded this Summer

Members of the 2010 Annual Levee Inspection take a photo in front of the Onward Store. On November 9, 2010, the Mississippi Levee Board hosted its Annual Levee Inspection. This year’s trip inspected the southern third of our levee system starting at Hwy 61 at the Yazoo Backwater Members of the Washington County Leadership Class Levee and proceeded north to the Mainline came to the Levee Board office on January 12, 2011 Mississippi River Levee at Fitler, MS. Lunch was for a presentation on the history, activities and proj- ects of the Mississippi Levee Board. served at the Onward Store in Onward, MS. I IMPACT NEWSLETTER  5 IMPACT_Fall11_HR.qxd:Layout 1 8/26/11 9:33 AM Page 6

MLB vs. EPA Lawsuit – Judge Rules in Favor of EPA Appeal has been filed with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals The Vicksburg District officially released not have the authority to veto the YBW the Final Report for the Yazoo Backwater Project because it is exempt by Section (YBW) Project on November 16, 2007. On 404(r). At this point, it appeared that a judge February 1, 2008, the Environmental would have to decide. Protection Agency (EPA) wrote a letter noti- Given the huge expense of a lawsuit fying that they were going to use their author- against EPA and the resources of the Federal ity under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Government, the Levee Board contacted Act to veto this project. Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) to see if they The Levee Board repeatedly told EPA that could help the Board with the lawsuit. PLF the YBW Project is exempt from a 404(c) veto agreed to take the case and a Complaint was because it conforms to a Section 404(r) filed against EPA on August 11, 2009. Private exemption. EPA said that the 1982 EIS was environmental groups National Wildlife never properly submitted to Congress. EPA These are the very documents that EPA Federation, Mississippi Wildlife Federation, claimed it could not find the transmittal Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra letter to Congress. Therefore, EPA claimed that the Corps did not have! EPA rushed to veto Club, Gulf Restoration Network and claimed that the YBW Project is American Rivers all intervened on not exempt from an EPA 404(c) the YBW Project before we got this FOIA infor- behalf of EPA in this lawsuit. veto because it did not conform Unfortunately on March 28, to all the requirements for a mation! The only option 2011 Federal Judge Sharion 404(r) exemption. Aycock ruled against the Levee On Sunday, August 31, 2008, left for reviving the Yazoo Backwater Board. The Levee Board and PLF the day before Labor Day, EPA offi- reviewed the ruling and decided cially vetoed the Yazoo Backwater Project was to sue EPA. that grounds for an appeal existed. A Project. A few days later on September 5, The YBW Project is exempt from Notice of Appeal was filed on April 26, 2008, the Levee Board received the results of an EPA Section 404(c) veto by Section 2011. This appeal will be heard in the 5th a FOIA which revealed transmittal letters 404(r). EPA does not believe that a Section Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, LA. dated March 28, 1983 in which the Corps offi- 404(r) exemption applies to the YBW Project, The Opening Brief was filed June 13, 2011. cially transmitted the 1982 EIS to Congress. and the Levee Board believes that EPA did I FY 2012 Appropriations $335M needed for the MR&T Project for FY 2012 $1B needed to rebuild MR&T System after 2011 Flood The President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Project in FY 2011. Now the House has Budget released in February had only $210M passed a $210M Bill which includes rescind- for the Mississippi River & Tributaries ing the remaining $35M in reserves for the Project (MR&T). On July 15, 2012 the House Yazoo Backwater Project. If the Senate does- Appropriations on Energy & Water n’t add money for the MR&T Project and Subcommittee provided only $210M for the protect the YBW Project reserves, the fund- MR&T Project. The Corps needs $335M to ing levels will dramatically drop to levels fully fund all of our much-needed flood con- where almost all our critical flood control trol projects. Also included in this House Bill projects will be completely shut down and is $1B in disaster relief funding to the Corps all the reserves for the Yazoo Backwater for use in areas affected by storms, torna- Project will be eliminated. does and flooding along the Mississippi and Rivers in 2011. This amount, MR&T Project Appropriations Billion results in a total damages prevented intended as emergency funding in 2011, since 1928 of $478.3 Billion. Through FY would be offset by unobligated stimulus FY 2010 $340M 2011 a total of $13.9 Billion has been invest- funds for high-speed rail projects. The FY 2011 $263.9M ed in the MR&T Project with a 34 to 1 return Senate Appropriations Energy & Water FY 2012 $210M (OMB and House Bill) on each dollar invested! It is a shame that Subcommittee has not passed anything to FY 2012 $335M Request Congress continues to neglect and ignore date. one of the most beneficial and useful proj- In FY 2010, $340M was appropriated for The MR&T Project protects over 4 million ects in American history. the MR&T Project. In FY 2011 $263.9M was people living in the Mississippi River Valley. $1B needed as a Supplemental appropriated for the MR&T Project. In 2011 the MR&T Project prevented $108 Appropriation to rebuild, repair, reset and Unfortunately, Congress rescinded $22M Billion in damages. Adding this to the previ- restore the MR&T system before the next from the reserves for the Yazoo Backwater ous damages prevented since 1928 of $370.3 highwater season in 2012. I

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Before the MR&T Project & After The Catastrophic 1927 Flood vs. The Great 2011 Highwater

1927: Multiple Levee Failures, 246+ Deaths, 700,000 2011: Not 1 MR&T Levee Failure, Not 1 Death, Not 1 acre flooded people displaced, 162,000 homes inundated. that was not designed to flood, Not 1 Home Flooded that was on the protected side of the levee.

1927 Levee Greenville Failure 2011 Flood

GAGE CREST DATE 2011 PREVIOUS RECORD STAGE STAGE & DATE Cairo, IL May 2, 2011 61.72* 59.51 in 1937 Memphis, TN May 10, 2011 47.87* 48.70 in 1937 Arkansas City, AR May 16, 2011 53.14 59.20 in 1927 Greenville, MS May 17, 2011 64.22 65.4 in 1927 (calc.) Vicksburg, MS May 19, 2011 57.1* 56.20 in 1927 Greenville - 1927 * New Record Stage

Mississippi Levee Board P.O. Box 637 Greenville, MS 38701 (662) 334-4813 (662) 378-9592 (fax) www.msleveeboard.com