From the Mayor’s Desk:
I would like to thank all who attended the focus group meeting with the Corps of Engineers on Friday. This was the first time that Mayors from the Mississippi Gulf Coast (who have commercial harbors) have had the opportunity to meet with members of the Corps of Engineers and convey how our local economies have been adversely impacted by the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway back in 2019. It is our objective to establish a partnership with the Corps and work together to bring about a permanent solution.
The Corps explained that their comprehensive study covers 7 States, the study will take five years to complete, it is expected to be completed in December 2027, and it is expected to cost $25,000,000.
Attendees at the meeting today included the following:
- Matthew Lang: Corps of Engineers (Lead Plan Formulator, Mobile District)
- David Newell: Corps of Engineers (Coastal Resiliency Program Manager, Mobile District)
- Ann Hijuelos: Corps of Engineers (Sr. Program Manager, New Orleans District)
- Cherie Price: Corps of Engineers (Sr. Plan Formulator, New Orleans District)
- Commissioner Chat Phillips: Governor’s Designee on the Study Steering Committee
- Chris Wells, Executive Director, MDEQ
- Joe Spraggins, Executive Director, MDMR
- Rick Burris, Chief Scientific Officer, MDMR
- Marlin Ladner: Harrison County Supervisor
- Peter Abide: Biloxi City Attorney
- Rusty, Quave: Mayor of D’Iberville
- Bobby Weaver: City Manager of D’Iberville
- Jay Trapani: Mayor of Waveland
- Rhonda Gamble: Waveland Alderwoman
- Jimmy Rafferty: Mayor of Pass Christian
- James Butcher: Pass Christian Harbormaster
- Jennier Lizana: Pass Christian Harbor Ops Manager
- Susan Putnam: Pass Christian Head of Community Affairs
- Darlene Kimball: Kimball Seafood in Pass Christian
- Jerry Forte: Jerry Forte Seafood in Pass Christian
- Ashley Gautier: Gautier Seafood in Pass Christian
The study addresses many factors (i.e., Flood Risk Management, Navigation, Ecosystem, Recreation, etc.), and the main issue that we are requesting the Corps address is the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway and how we can prevent the opening of it for prolonged periods of time resulting in the killing of all forms of marine habitat in the Mississippi Sound. In order to prioritize our request, we are to provide the Corps with a letter of intent on what we would like them to look at and the Corps could create a tiered study within the overall comprehensive study. MDMR and MDEQ can work together to prepare this for the Corps and a determination can be made as to who the letter should come from (i.e., Governors, Lt. Governors, U.S. Representatives, etc.). A partnership with Louisiana would be very advantageous.
The Corps of Engineers will in turn complete their study as to how water can be diverted in lieu of opening up the Bonnet Carre Spillway. The tiered study could possibly take several years to complete and any improvements or modifications will require funding not already approved. Once the study is completed and recommendations are made, the States of Mississippi and Louisiana can work together to obtain the funding to put permanent solutions into place.
Below is the link to the Comprehensive Study webpage for those who are interested in engaging with the Corps of Engineers through the Study to affect positive change in the lower Mississippi River.
https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/About/LMRComp/
I truly appreciate everyone’s help in bringing back our oysters and protecting other forms of marine life in the Mississippi Sound, and please let me know how Pass Christian can help in bringing a permanent solution to fruition. Having the Corps of Engineers meet with us and provide us with insight into what they are doing was a big step towards making this solution attainable.
Jimmy Rafferty
Mayor-Pass Christian
200 West Scenic Drive,
Pass Christian, MS 39571
Office: (228) 452-3313
Cell: (228) 344-0178
Fax: (228) 452-5435
