impactMISSISSIPPI LEVEE BOARD NEWSLETTER “Where People Come First” Winter 2008 • Vol. 7, No. 1 Yazoo Backwater Project Final Report Released Project will Protect the South Delta

The Mississippi Levee Board 21st century, combining an ef- proudly endorses the Yazoo fective pumping station with Backwater Project recommended vast acres of environmental en- by the U.S. Army Corps of En- hancements and conservation gineers in its recently released measures in the lower flood Yazoo Backwater Project Final prone areas. This project reflects Report and Final Environmental a community compromise.” Impact Statement. According to Nimrod, the “We are excited that the proj- Corps of Engineers will buy per- ect is moving forward,” said manent easements and reforest Fred Ballard, president of the 55,600 acres of cleared agricul- Mississippi Levee Board. “The tural land in the one- and two- South Delta has been waiting 60 year flood zone. It will construct years for flood relief. The Corps’ a pumping station to operate recommended project will re- when South Delta flood waters duce the threat of flooding in the trapped behind the closed Steele South Delta, improving citizens’ Bayou structure exceed 87 feet quality of life while also restor- above sea level. The project will ing wildlife habitat in the area.” lower the 100-year flood plain by Peter Nimrod, the Mississippi 4 to 4.5 feet, and reduce the dura- Steele Bayou Structure Levee Board’s Chief Engineer, tion and height of floods. all or part of 10 Mississippi coun- adds, “The Yazoo Backwater Public officials, including Sen. hopeful the final report’s release ties drains into the South Delta. Project is flood control for the Thad Cochran, Sen. Trent Lott will finally allow the project to When the Steele Bayou gates are and Rep. Bennie move forward. “We need our closed during those times the Thompson, are on pump and it is about time we Mississippi River’s water level is record in support got it,” said Ruby Johnson, South high, the South Delta floods. of the project. In Delta Flood Control Commit- Since 1941, Congress has rec- addition, resolu- tee co-chair. “We know it’s just ognized the need for a solution. tions of support a matter of time before we have After decades of study, the Yazoo have been ap- another flood. We need the pump Backwater Pump Project prom- proved by local in place before that happens.” ises flood relief. The project will governments in The Yazoo Backwater Levee remove flood water and reforest the impacted area, and several and the Steele Bayou Structure vast acres of bottomland hard- South Delta hunting and fish- currently help protect citizens wood forests. Pumping flood ing clubs. from direct Mississippi River water from behind levees is a Many local residents are flooding. However, water from ...continued on page 7 Yazoo Backwater Project Public Meeting Held in Mayersville Meeting gave public a chance to voice support or opposition

The long awaited Final Re- project since the release of port for the Yazoo Backwater the Draft Report in 2000. Project was released on No- Col. Wehr then opened vember 16, 2007. Colonel Mi- the meeting for public com- chael C. Wehr, Commander of ments which were heavily the Vicksburg District Corps in favor of the project. Of Col. Michael Wehr of Engineers, conducted a the 41 speakers, 31 were public meeting for the project in support and 10 were in Mayersville, Mississippi on opposed. Among the sup- Kent Parrish November 29, 2007. porters were Jo Ann Clark, The meeting, held at the field representative for U.S. Senator Thad Issaquena County Courthouse, Cochran and Mississippi Legislators Buck was attended by approximately 200 people. Clarke and Alex Monsour. Numerous county supervisors, officials Following Col. Wehr’s opening remarks and and engineers from around the Delta made statements in full sup- a video detailing the Yazoo Backwater Project, port of the project. Numerous hunting clubs and private citizens Kent Parrish, the Senior Project Manager, made also made statements in support of the project. Peter Nimrod, Chief Willie Bunton a presentation highlighting the evolution of the Engineer for the Mississippi ...continued on page 4 1 Critics Closing Mind to Pump Compromise The Greenwood Commonwealth be negligible. In fact, the wildlife Editorial by Tim Kalich - Editor habit could be enhanced, since December 8, 2007 the Corps will reforest more than 55,000 acres of cropland, presum- It’s awfully easy, sitting here in ing landowners agree, for likely the upper half of the Mississippi a state of truce for someone drive a conversion into hunting land. Delta, to get a little complacent the last few years, stake through this The design is not everything about flood control. is heating up again. monster’s heart?” the flood-control advocates want- Thanks to a host of projects, Recently, the U.S. It’s a catchy line, ed, but they had to make conces- from dredging river bottoms Army Corps of En- but it leaves me won- sions to keep the project alive. to erecting levees to installing gineers released its dering whether the The opposition, at least initially, pumps, Greenwood theoretically report recommend- editors bothered to doesn’t appear as if it’s ready to is protected from all but a cata- ing that the instal- study exactly what’s give an inch. clysmic flood. lation of the Yazoo being proposed in the It may be tough to convince Folks aren’t quite so fortunate Backwater Project reformulated plan. other parts of the country or even in the southern part of the Delta. move forward. The I’ll admit I’m a other parts of Mississippi why the Tim Kalich Since the flood of 1973, consid- massive pumping little over my head project should go forward. Those ered the last of the granddaddy station has the endorsement of when it comes to doing a cost- of us who live in the northern half floods, the South Delta has en- longtime backers, such as the benefit analysis of a $220 million of the Delta, however, should rec- dured at least eight more signifi- Delta Council and the Mississippi public works project. It certainly ognize a moral obligation to sup- cant floods. Because that area is Levee Board, but it has met with seems, however, that the Corps of port it. thinly populated and its residents howls of protests from the envi- Engineers and the project’s back- In 1941, Congress authorized predominantly poor, the South ronmentalists who think preserv- ers have made an honest effort to a comprehensive plan to reduce Delta doesn’t have a whole lot ing wetlands is a whole lot more balance their desires for drainage Delta flooding, mostly by assist- of clout, other than from farmers important than keeping water out with the wishes of outdoorsmen ing the water in its natural flow who aren’t too crazy about seeing of people’s homes and off their and environmentalists to not up- southward toward the Gulf of their cropland regularly go under cropland. Also in the opposition’s set the normally occurring wild- Mexico. All or parts of 10 Delta water. corner is the state’s largest news- life and plant habitat. counties, including the western For more than four decades, paper. The Corps has scaled back the half of Leflore, funnel their water a project designed to bring that The Clarion-Ledger, whose edi- capacity of the pump by almost toward Sharkey and Issaquena area some relief from high water tors are all for compromise be- half from what was proposed counties. It’s not right, during has resulted in a pitched battle be- tween environmental and flood- when the project was last drawn times of high water, just to let it tween competing interest groups ing concerns when it comes to up in 1982. The pump won’t bottleneck there while we stay -- South Delta landowners and the capital city, are completely come on until there are about dry to the north. residents on one side, and en- uncompromising when it comes 214,000 acres under water, and If there’s a better, more eco- vironmental and conservation to the Yazoo pump. Recently, the those acres will stay under water nomical way to get that water off groups on the other. newspaper likened the project to while the pump is running. Thus, those people, let’s hear it. But if g The fight, which had been in Frankenstein and asked, “Won’t the impact on wetlands should not, the project should proceed. Yazoo Backwater Pump Project Makes Sense for Sportsmen,

Conservationists by Jim Luckett, Letter to the Editor, The Clarion Ledger, January 6, 2008

There are more than 40 million animals. Our differing groups when replanted hunters and anglers in the United come to the table for different as bottomland States, many here in Mississippi, reasons and at times with dif- hardwood for- and I’m proud to count myself ferent motivations, but with one est – as proposed among their number. I consider important objective – conserving by the Backwater Jim Luckett sportsmen as the original con- habitat. Pump Project – it servationists. After all, if our for- It is for this great shared value will provide additional wildlife ests, waterways, and marshlands that sportsmen, conservationists habitat, water quality benefits are taken from us, then we can’t and others interested in environ- and significant environmental enjoy sports that have become a mental preservation should now improvements. passion for many of us. show a united front in support The result will be 19.3 percent As an avid hunter, I like to contribute about $5 million a day of the Yazoo Backwater Pump increase in wetlands resources think that we are responsible for from the sale of state hunting and Project. Much has been said and in the region, an 11.2 percent in- providing habitat for the game fishing licenses and other activi- written about this project since crease in terrestrial resources and we hunt, and for the ecosystems ties and contributions to environ- its inception many years ago. But a 34.5 percent increase in aquatic that support game and other mental conservation and protec- as proposed now, this is mod- resources. In addition, this re- wildlife. It is one of the oldest tion. Hunting and fishing help to ern-day flood control, combining forestation will improve water forms of environmental advo- foster a relationship to the land structures that will protect the quality by reducing sediments. cacy in North America, owing that is crucial to future conserva- people, homes and businesses Water quality will be further im- its existence to men like Presi- tion efforts. of the South Delta while also en- proved by reducing the duration dent Theodore Roosevelt, who in While sporting and conserva- hancing the natural environment of flooding on the forestland thus 1902 visited the Mississippi Delta tion groups don’t always see eye- of the region. reducing the mercury content in on his famous bear hunt, giving to-eye on every issue, they often The project will place 55,600 the water. birth to the “Teddy Bear.” turn to one another as partners acres of agricultural land under A reforestation initiative of According to the National because of a common under- permanent conservation ease- this size will vastly improve Shooting Sports Foundation, standing that healthy ecosystems ments. This land currently offers the habitat for all wildlife, hunters and anglers currently mean healthy habitats for game few natural resource values, but ...continued on page 7 2 Elected Officials Support the Yazoo Backwater Project Officials Send in Letters of Support

The public comment period for the Final towards completion of this project for the Without the pumps, Report for the Yazoo Backwater Project of- safety and advancement of the lower Mis- “there could be very ficially ended January 22, 2008. Numerous sissippi Delta.” significant damage to letters of support for the Recommended Mississippi State Senator Buck Clarke county roads and cul- Plan for the Yazoo Backwater Project were wrote, “As a lifelong resident of Hollandale, verts that the Supervi- sent by elected officials to the Corps of En- I have experienced flooding in our area that sors maintain.” “The gineers. this project will alleviate. As a homeowner pumps are needed as a Mississippi Senior and business owner, I will be comforted means to prevent tim- U.S. Senator Thad with the protection this project will provide. ber damage. Everyone Cochran wrote, “The As a state senator, I view this project as an knows that flooding 1927 flood led to the effort to show the rest State Senator and water standing on passage of the Flood of the state that we Buck Clarke timber for extensive Control Act of 1928 are, indeed, open for periods of time cause which created the business.” rot in the roots and eventually the main flood control system Mississippi State stem of the tree.” still in operation to- Senator Lydia Chas- In fact, nine (9) counties in the Mississippi day, and cemented saniol wrote, “I Delta passed resolutions of support for the role of the federal Senator strongly feel that we the Recommended Plan for the Yazoo government and un- Thad Cochran need proper manage- Backwater Project. These counties include: derstanding that flooding is a national issue ment of our natural Sharkey, Issaquena, Washington, Yazoo, rather than a state or local one. The Yazoo resources and I be- State Senator Humphreys, Bolivar, Sunflower, Coahoma Backwater Area, which was authorized in lieve the planned proj- Lydia Chassaniol and Leflore. Washington County Sheriff the Flood Control Act of 1928, would com- ect will enhance both Milton Gaston, Sr. and Humphreys County plete the implementation of the flood control economic development and environmental Sheriff J.D. Roseman both sent in letters plan for Mississippi.” Senator Cochran fur- resources in one of the most impoverished supporting the Recommended Plan for the ther states, “The United States Army Corps areas of our country.” Yazoo Backwater Project. of Engineers has addressed all the concerns Mississippi State Representative Willie Mark Hooker, who serves as County En- related to this project in the Recommended Bailey wrote, “The Recommended Plan for gineer for Issaquena, Sharkey and Washing- Plan.” the Yazoo Backwater Project will help pro- ton Counties, wrote, “I have seen the dev- Newly appointed U.S. Senator Roger vide better economic astating effects of high water and flooding Wicker wrote, “The Recommended Plan, development and on county roads throughout these counties. released on Novem- educational opportu- Repair of roads after a flood event can wipe ber 16, 2007, includes nities, in addition to out our county budgets.” Hooker contin- a 14,000 cubic feet per a safer environment ued, “Any engineer knows you do not start second pumping plant for the citizens who a drainage project from anywhere, but the and reforestation of live in one of the most downstream end. However, this project has up to 55,600 acres of impoverished areas of been so politicalized to try to appease so low-lying agricultural our country. The large many people that work has not only been land. The comple- scale reforestation fea- started, but has been completed on the up- tion of the pumping State Representative ture also will enhance stream end of the project resulting in enor- station as authorized Willie Bailey every environmental mous benefits to the people living in that by Congress reduces resource in the area.” area at the expense of the people, infrastruc- Senator Roger Wicker the 100-year flood The Washington County Board of ture, flora and fauna in the lower part of the plain by 4 to 4 1⁄2 feet Supervisors wrote, “Please proceed in drainage basin. I wholeheartedly recom- throughout the project area. This will pro- completing this much-needed and long- mend that the project be implemented im- tect homes, land and wildlife on more than overdue flood control project for the mediately.” 600,000 acres in six Mississippi Delta coun- Mississippi South Delta.” The Bolivar Anguilla Mayor Merlin Richardson ties. The Recommended Plan provides a County Board of Supervisors wrote, “The wrote, “As a citizen of the area, I feel that good balance of economic and environmen- Board truly realizes the critical situation protection afforded by the project is neces- tal features for the South Delta.” to the Mississippi Delta Region caused sary, deserved, and past due in coming.” Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour by trapped floodwaters behind the closed Mayersville Mayor Linda Short wrote, “I wrote, “This much-needed flood damage outlets on Steele Bayou and the Sunflower am a life-long resident of the Town of May- reduction project has obviously been thor- River. We, too, feel this condition will not ersville, and currently serving as Mayor, and oughly studied and designed to address, as be alleviated until the South Delta Region feel this project is very important because best as possible, the has a pumping station in place to remove of the protection for not only the residents concerns and needs these floodwaters adequately in periods of of Mayerville, but for the entire Issaquena of all stakeholders heavy rainfall.” The Yazoo County Board County and surrounding areas.” in the region. I com- of Supervisors wrote, “we fully realize the South Delta School District Superinten- mend the Corps for vital importance of this project to the people dent Katherine Tankson wrote, “It has been the deliberate effort of Yazoo County, Mississippi, as well as to said that it is not a question as to if there will put forth towards the entire Mississippi Delta counties.” be another major flood, but when.” Superin- this project.” Gover- The Sharkey County Board of Supervi- tendent Tankson continued, “When we have nor Barbour further sors wrote that flooding causes “the disrup- excessive rain and the gates are closed, this states, “I urge you tion of basic services to the citizens such as prevents the water from flowing out into the to continue taking Governor the inability of ambulances or school buses Mississippi River through Steele Bayou and Haley Barbour the necessary steps to access the region affected by flooding.” ...continued on page 7 3 MISSISSIPPI LEVEE BOARD Board Meeting Recaps October, 2007 January, 2008 The Board took the following action at the The Board of Mississippi Levee October 1, 2007 regular board meeting: author- Commissioners held their regular board ity was given to advertise for worker’s com- meeting on January 14, 2008. The Levee pensation insurance; concurred with permits Board took the following action during its issued to Twin County Electric Power Asso- January meeting: received and approved ciation for an electrical line crossing servicing minutes of the Levee Maintenance Contract Harlow’s Casino and to the City of Greenville and Procedures Committee meeting; Col. Wehr presents the 49th consecutive award to the for major reconstruction work along the rail- reviewed bids and awarded workman’s Mississippi Levee Board. road spur serving the Industrial Park along compensation insurance to SouthGroup Lake Ferguson; November 2, 2007 set as date Insurance; authorized advertisement of Meetings March 29 - April 2 in Washington, for annual levee inspection trip; accepted pro- bids for Business Auto/ Public Offi cials & D.C. to discuss FY 2009 Appropriations for posal by Wildlife Technical Services to man- Employees/Liability/ Contractors Equipment Corps projects in the Mississippi Delta; and age timber along the Brunswick Extension Insurance, chemicals and vehicles; concurred received status reports on all the ongoing Levee (BEL); received and approved audit by with permits issued to Belle Island Properties, projects in the Mississippi Levee District and Joel B. Cunningham for the fi scal year ending LLC for a gate on the riverside of the BEL, to meetings attended. Col. Michael C. Wehr, June 30, 2007; re-assigned International Paper Bailey Salvage for a 60 day lease of the Mat Commander of the Vicksburg District of the conservation easement along the BEL to Belle Casting Field, to the Tallula Hunting Club for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, presented the Island Properties, LLC; and received report a cabin on the landside r.o.w., and to Producers Mississippi Levee Board the 2007 Certifi cate from the Chief Engineer on all ongoing proj- Rice for a waterline crossing; authorized of Merit for the Operation and Maintenance ects in the Mississippi Levee District. a delegation to the MVFCA Congressional of Flood Control Projects. g In Memoriam: Charles S. “Chick” Tindall, Jr. Levee Board Attorney - 1948-1981 Charles S. “Chick” Tindall, Jr. died January 5, 2008 at his home. Mr. Tindall served as Attorney for the Missis- sippi Levee Board from 1948 to 1981. Tindall was born in Winona on January 11, 1912 and graduated as valedicto- rian of Indianola High School. He graduated with honors from the University of Mississippi School of Law where he served as editor of the Mississippi Law Journal. He received a master’s degree in law from Yale University. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church. He served as president of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greenville Industrial Foundation and the Kiwanis Club. He practiced law in Greenville since 1938 and served Of Counsel to Lake Tindall LLP until his death. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Louise Castlen Tindall, sons Charles S. Tindall, III (Rebecca) and Edwin W. Tindall (Jane), four grandchildren and a great-grandson. g

MISSISSIPPI LEVEE BOARD Staff Profi le OFFICERS & STAFF Ronald Gray Commissioners Foreman Fred A. Ballard, Jr., President, Washington County Kenneth Rodgers, Vice-President, Humphreys County Ronald “Happy” Gray is the Maintenance Crew Johnny Robinson, Washington County Foreman for the Mississippi Levee Board. Happy, a James W. House, Jr., Bolivar County native of Winterville, has worked at the Levee Board Nott Wheeler, Jr., Bolivar County for 5 1⁄ 2 years. Roy Nichols, Issaquena County As Foreman he is directly responsible for the daily Laurance Carter, Sharkey County activities of the maintenance crew. Happy is a hands- Staff on foreman and depending on the time of year he Peter Nimrod, Chief Engineer might be clipping grass with a tractor and bushhog, clearing right-of-way Robert M. Thompson, Assistant Engineer with a bulldozer or grading the gravel on top of the levee. He enjoys his job Charles S. Tindall, III, Attorney because he likes being outdoors and he likes operating heavy equipment. Judy B. Ross, Treasurer He acquired his nickname because of his genial disposition and friendly Ginger Morlino, Secretary smile. He is the father of one son and four daughters and the grandfather of four. Happy likes to cook, hunt and fi sh in his spare time. He and his wife, Patrick Bolls, Maintenance Superintendent g Rick Boyd, Engineering Technician Berma, reside in Greenville. Public Meeting in Mayersville ...continued from page 1... Levee Board stated after the meeting, “We were delighted to have our elected offi cials on hand to show their support along with the tremen- dous number of private citizens who came and made statements in sup- port of this project.” When asked about the opponents comments, Nimrod continued, “Un- fortunately, the same misinformation that has been circulated about this project in the past has resurfaced and have some people confused and misguided. We hope the opponents will make a real effort to read and understand the Final Report and be as encouraged as we are about the positive environmental benefi ts of this project.” g 4 2007 Gravel Supply Contract Each year the Corps of Engineers allocates funding for maintenance gravel for the various levee boards within the Vicksburg District. This year, $553,438 was allocated to the Mississippi Levee District. A gravel supply contract is awarded to a contractor who delivers the gravel to the levee where Mississippi Levee Board personnel and equipment spread the gravel on top of the levee. The gravel supply contract was awarded to Truckla Services. Crushed stone was placed on 7.3 miles of the Mainline Mississippi River Levee in Bolivar Gravel being spread by Levee Board crew. County. Three stretches were surfaced with Sandstone: Stations 1915 to 2090 near Lobdell, MS, Stations 2398 to 2479 near Bolivar, MS, and Stations 3170 to 3300 near Good Grief, MS. The placement began September 26 and finished October 31, 2007. g 2007 Helicopter Application In 1950, the Mississippi Legislature au- tion of the interior streams each year. A mix- trict. Helicopter Applicators sub-contracted thorized the two (2) Mississippi Delta levee ture of aquatic herbicides is sprayed on the with Custom Air and they sprayed on Oc- boards to participate as local sponsors of underbrush and privet that is encroaching tober 11-21, 2007. Streams treated this year Corps of Engineers projects within the Yazoo into the required clear width of the chan- included parts of the Big Sunflower River, Basin. The Corps of Engineers began work nel. This required clear width must be main- Bogue Hasty, Bogue Phalia, Clear Creek, on the Big Sunflower River & Tributaries tained to ensure the streams have adequate Hushpuckena River, and Snake Creek. g Project in 1947. This project included channel flood storage and pas- improvements to over 700 miles of interior sage capacity. streams located within the Mississippi Delta. This year the Mis- These streams provide the outlet for flood sissippi Levee Board water in the Delta. The Mississippi Levee treated 133.6 miles of Board is responsible for minor maintenance its interior streams. for 350 miles of interior streams within the This included 800 acres Mississippi Levee District. of interior streams lo- To perform this much needed mainte- cated primarily in the nance, the Mississippi Levee Board contracts northern half of the with a helicopter applicator to spray a por- Mississippi Levee Dis- Fueling and loading chemical. Spraying the underbrush and privet. Levee Enlargement Project Update Completed Work On-Going Construction Advertised Work Future Work Remaining 23.2 miles - Items 477L, 496L & 502L Item 488L - 8.8 miles - 97% Complete Item 474L - 3.4 miles - bid opening - February 33.6 miles

Borrow Excavation Ramp Construction Topping Out Levee Steele Bayou Sedimentation Reduction Project Update Completed Work: Phase I - 11 sites On-Going Construction: Phase II - 14 sites - 10% Complete

Phase II Construction - Installation of riser pipe. 5 U.S. Sen. Trent Lott Resigns Lott Ends 35-Year Political Career

Mississippi Republican Trent Lott officially resigned from the U.S. Senate on December 18, 2007, ending a 35-year career in politics. Sen. Lott, a native of Pascagoula, gradu- ated from the University of Mississippi, and got a law degree there in 1967. Lott served as administrative assistant to Rep. William Colmer from 1968-1972. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972 and served until 1989. He was the House Republican Whip from 1981-1989. He was Senator Trent Lott with Levee Board in 2006. elected to serve as a U.S. Senator in 1989, taking over for Sen. John Stennis who had served for 41 years. He has served as Sen- and Lott were both elected to the Fred Ballard, Presi- ate Republican Whip from 1994-1996 and U.S. House in 1972; each was the dent of the Mississippi again in 2007. He served as Senate Major- first Republican elected from his dis- Levee Board, said “the ity Leader from 1996-2002. Lott and his trict since Reconstruction. Cochran Mississippi Levee Board wife, Patricia, have two children and three moved to the Senate in 1978. “I have come has enjoyed its working relationship with grandchildren. to respect him and appreciate his legisla- Sen. Lott over the past 35 years. The Board Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-GA, said Lott tive skills and his great capacity for hard will truly miss his friendship and support. is “the epitome of the genteel Southern work,” Cochran said. “He is a tireless and The Board wishes Sen. Lott a long, healthy gentleman.” resolute advocate for causes and issues and happy retirement from politics and Mississippi’s senior U.S. Senator, Re- which he decides to support. In a word, wishes him good luck with his future op- publican Thad Cochran, recalled how he he is a winner. He gets things done.” portunities.” g Roger Wicker Gets Senate Appointment Wicker Appointed to Replace Senator Trent Lott Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour announced on December 31, 2007 that U.S. Representative Roger Wicker, a conservative Mississippi Republican, has been selected to replace former Sen. Trent Lott. Sen. Lott officially resigned from the Senator Roger Wicker appointed by U.S. Senate on December 18, 2007, ending Governor Haley Barbour. a 35-year career in politics. Senator Wicker with Levee Board in 2006. Gov. Barbour said the selection process had been a serious undertaking and that Wicker served on active duty in the Air Fred Ballard, President of the Mississippi it had been important to select a person Force and then served in the Air Force Levee Board, said “the Mississippi Levee with Lott’s “conservative values” and Reserve. He retired from the Reserve in Board is pleased to have Roger Wicker who would be able to work with fellow 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. appointed to the U.S. Senate. The Board Sen. Thad Cochran, R-MS. Wicker, 56, will At the conclusion of his active duty, he has enjoyed its working relationship with serve until a special election is held on became counsel to then-U.S. Rep. Trent Lott Sen. Wicker over the past 13 years as a U.S. November 4, 2008. on the House Rules Committee in 1980. Representative. Sen. Wicker understands Wicker, a native of Pontotoc, graduated Wicker served in the Mississippi State the Mississippi Delta and flood control from the University of Mississippi in 1973 Senate from 1987-1994. He was elected to issues. The Board looks forward to contin- and got a law degree there in 1975. Wicker the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 uing to work with Sen. Wicker in his new and his wife, Gayle, have three children. to succeed the late Rep. Jamie Whitten. position.” g

2007 Annual Levee Inspection On November 2, 2007, the Mississippi Levee Board hosted its Annual Levee Inspection. This year’s trip started on the south end of the Mississippi Levee District at Highway 61 and the Yazoo Backwater Levee and proceeded upstream to Mayersville. The inspection included the proposed Yazoo Backwater Pump site, the Brunswick Extension Levee and some of the levee enlargement work along the Mainline Mississippi River Levee in Issaquena County. Lunch was served at the Onward Store in Onward, MS. g

Members of the 2007 Annual Levee Inspection take a photo in front of the Onward Store. 6 Federal Legislative Issues WRDA, Appropriations and FEMA

WRDA 2007 The last Water Re- sources Development Act was passed in 2000. For seven years, Congress has been trying to pass a new WRDA Bill. WRDA 2007 became law on November 8, 2007. WRDA reprogramming au- detrimental “Warn- authorizes $23B worth of projects. Both the thorities and continu- ing” on the updated House and Senate had to override Presi- ing contracts were FIRM Maps to a more dent Bush’s veto of WRDA. Language in repealed in WRDA acceptable “Note”. WRDA allows the Corps to once again re- 2007, the appropria- The amended lan- program project funds and use continuing tions act kept these guage reads:“Note: contracts! The continuing contract clause restrictions, which This area is shown will allow the Corps advertise a multi-year were first imposed in as being protected construction project without having to the FY 2006 appropri- from at least the have all the money in place up front be- ations measure. The 1-percent-annual- fore a project can be awarded. The Corps Mississippi Levee Senator Thad Cochran chance flood hazard by levee, dike, has used continuing contracts since 1922. Board is pleased with or other structure. Overtopping or failure Reprogramming authority will allow the our Mississippi Congressional Delegation of any flood control structure is possible. Corps to move money around from proj- on both the Senate and House sides with Property owners are encouraged to evalu- ects that are behind schedule to projects the adds to the MR&T Project appropria- ate their flood risk, based on full and ac- that are ahead of schedule. WRDA also au- tion. Sen. Thad Cochran (MS) is the rank- curate information, and to consider flood thorizes independent peer review for proj- ing Republican member of the Senate Ap- insurance coverage as appropriate.” This ects costing over $45M. propriations Committee. amendment also provides that the Director may add a note desig- APPROPRIATIONS FEMA MAP MODERNIZATION nating areas protected from the The House and Senate have both passed PROGRAM - PROPOSED FIRM 500-year flood (MR&T Project). the Omnibus Bill for the FY 2008 Budget. MAP “WARNING” It also adds that this note “shall The President’s FY08 Budget had $260M U.S. Representative Marion not be considered a requirement for the Mississippi River & Tributaries Berry (Arkansas) introduced an of participation in the national Project (MR&T). The Omnibus Bill was amendment to the U.S. House flood insurance program.” The passed on December 18, 2007 and set fund- Flood Insurance Reform Bill (HB Senate is currently working on pass- ing for the MR&T Project at $387.4M! Un- 3121) which passed on September 28, ing a Flood Insurance Reform Bill with fortunately, even though restrictions on 2007. This Bill re-words the potentially similar language. g

Yazoo Backwater Pump Project Yazoo Backwater Pump Elected Offi cials Support Yazoo Final Report ...continued fr om page 1... Project ...continued fr om page 2... Backwater ...continued fr om page 3... r ecognized solution. Ther e ar e curr ently 22 pumps fish and waterfowl in the South the following ar e r esults ther eof: Wildlife evacuating water fr om behind levees within a 200- Delta. It’ll also pr ovide additional leaves its habitat to move to higher gr ound mile radius of the pr oposed location of the Yazoo habitat for endanger ed species like and sometimes never r eturn; We have 8,106 Backwater Pump. The Yazoo Backwater Pr oject pr o- the pondberry plant and Teddy acr es in timber, and with these tr ees stand - vides the added featur e of significant r efor estation, Roosevelt’s beloved Louisiana black ing in water, the r oots will r ot which will which will both r educe flood damage and enhance bear. r ot the main stem of the tr ee, and this will envir onmental r esour ces. No pr oject on the scale of the Ya- cause the tr ee to become hollow and lower The pr oject – which r epr esents the fulfillment of zoo Backwater Pump Pr oject is ever the grade and the sale value of the tr ees; The a 60-year -old pr omise by perfect, and nothing of this mag - backwater can pr event the harvesting of the the federal government nitude can be undertaken without district’s timber in the spring...lowering the – is estimated to cost $220 some impact on the envir onment. price of the district’s timber.” Tankson stat - million. Economists agr ee But this pr oject has been exhaus - ed, “This pr oject has been tossed back and it will r eturn $1.50 in ben - tively r eviewed for many years forth long enough, and now is the time for efits for every $1 spent. now, with significant impr ovements action. The only way to evacuate flood wa- Economists with Louisi - being made to the original plan, es - ter is by pumping.” ana State University and pecially in terms of envir onmental The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Mississippi State Univer - pr otection and conservation. w rot e , “ T h e Ya z o o B a c k w a t e r P roj e c t i s sity have r eviewed and The net envir onmental impacts e s s e n t i a l t o p rot e c t i n g n o t o n l y f a r m i n g confirmed this economic of this pr oject ar e beneficial, as illus- benefit analysis. trated in a Supplemental Envir on - i n t h e S o u t h D e l t a , b u t f a r m f a m i l i e s w h o Mor e than one-thir d mental Impact Statement and other e a r n a l i v i n g p rov i d i n g f o o d a n d fi b e r of the pr oject’s cost is for detailed r eports fr om technical ex - f o r a l l o f u s . A g r i c u l t u re i s t h e m a j o r the acquisition of perpetual easements perts. We’ve waited long enough – economic contributor in the South Delta, and implementation of the r efor estation and conser- it is time to pr ovide flood pr otection a n d w i l l rem a i n s o u n t i l s t ru c t u r a l fl o o d vation measur es for the people who live and work control is in place, enticing other economic on 55,600 acr es in the South Delta and for the habi - opportunities to locate in the area.” of land. This r e - tat which is degraded by flooding. The Mississippi Levee Boar d would like for ested acr eage I str ongly ur ge my fellow hunters, to thank each and every private individual, will be equiva - fishermen and conservationists to elected official, and elected Boar ds who lent in size to the support the Yazoo Backwater Pump went on r ecor d in support for the Yazoo Delta National Pr oject. This should be an issue on Backwater Pr oject. Your continued support For est. g Reforestation which we all can agr ee. g and dedication is gr eatly appr eciated! g 7 Back In Time: Catfish Ponds Buddy 35 YEARS AGO – Newman looking at THE 1973 FLOOD flooded You cannot ignore the past! Another backwater homes. flood is coming! We must be prepared! Support the completion of the Yazoo Backwater Project! The Yazoo Backwater Project will lower the 100- year flood plain by 4 to 4.5’ as well as increase every environmental resource in the South Delta. We must act now and complete this long-overdue and much-needed flood control project before we are faced again with another 1973 Flood! g Hwy. 16 at Little Sunflower River Flooded Gas Station

Mud Box Around Home

Rolling Fork, MS

Sandbag Levee

Sandbag Levee

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

8