The Mississippi Levee Board in Greenville, Mississippi, recently celebrated the signing of the Record of Decision for the Yazoo Backwater Water Management Project, marking a significant step towards the project’s completion. The project includes a 25,000 cfs pumping plant and various non-structural components aimed at managing water levels in the Yazoo Backwater Area.
The collaboration effort between federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the White House Council of Environmental Quality has been ongoing since early 2022. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project was initiated in 2023, followed by various reviews and approvals.
Following the signing of the Record of Decision, the project will now enter the Preconstruction Engineering and Design phase, where detailed engineering plans will be developed, and further coordination with federal agencies will take place. The Mississippi Levee Board expressed gratitude towards the federal agencies involved and highlighted the importance of the project in providing flood protection, environmental benefits, and economic stability to the region.
Members of the Mississippi Congressional Delegation have also expressed support for the project, emphasizing the importance of completing the Yazoo Backwater Water Management Project to address long-standing flooding issues in the area. With the environmental documentation phase complete, the focus now shifts towards the efficient execution of the project to ensure the safety and well-being of communities in the region.
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