Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO)
Closure Project Status
Gregory Miller
Senior Project Manager
New Orleans District
Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA)
103rd Annual Convention
August 20-22, 2008
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
1
MRGO De-Authorization Study Authority
Public Law 109-234 (passed 15 June 2006)
• Chief of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan to de-authorize deep
draft navigation on the MRGO
• Submit interim report to Congress no later than 15 December 2006
• Refine the plan if necessary to be fully consistent with the Final Technical
Report for the LACPR Plan
Conference Report
• Include recommended modifications to the existing authorized navigation
uses of the MRGO and any navigation uses that should be maintained
• Identify measures for hurricane and storm protection
• Develop the plan in consultation with St. Bernard Parish, State of Louisiana,
and affected Federal agencies
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
2
Water Resources Development
Act (WRDA) Authority
Section 7013: Mississippi River Gulf Outlet
• Directs the Secretary to submit a final report on the de-authorization
of the MRGO
• The report shall include:
– A plan to physically modify the MRGO and restore the areas
affected by the navigation channel
– A plan to restore natural features of the ecosystem that will
reduce or prevent damage from storm surge
– A plan to prevent the intrusion of saltwater into the waterway
• The Secretary shall carry out a plan to close the MRGO and restore
and protect the ecosystem
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
3
Final Alternatives Evaluated
• Future without de-authorization (No Action)
– MRGO Channel is maintained at authorized dimensions
• Alternative 1
– Total closure of MRGO
• Alternative 2
– Phased construction of total closure structure
• Alternative 3
– Cease all maintenance and abandon channel
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
4
De-authorization Study Recommendation
• De-authorize the MRGO from mile 60 to mile -9.4 with
these features:
– A full channel closure structure at the Bayou La Loutre ridge
– Removal of relic aids to navigation (USCG determination)
– Incorporation of the MRGO plan into the LACPR plan
– De-authorization of jetties and bank protection features
• GIWW reach (mile 60 to mile 66) and Michoud Canal
sections of project remain authorized for deep draft
navigation
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
5
Plan Selection Rationale
• Cost effective while also meeting the criteria of completeness,
acceptability, and effectiveness
• Closure eliminates attempted navigation
• Plan is politically and socially acceptable
• Reduces adverse environmental impacts
• Compatible with coastal restoration & storm protection goals of other
Federal & non-Federal plans (reduces cost of Violet Diversion & LCA)
• Consistent with multiple lines of defense strategy
• Partially addressed WRDA 07 Section 7013 by modifying the MRGO
channel while being cost effective, environmentally acceptable, and
technically feasible
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
6
Implementation Schedule
• Sign MOA with State of Louisiana
• Safety coordination and planning
• Contract advertisement scheduled for 28 August 2008
• Request & receive Right-of-Entry for construction activities
prior to contract award
• Notice to Proceed granted ~ two weeks after bid closing
• Construction window of 200 days
• Closure structure to be completed by 30 May 2009
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
7
Coordination and Related Activities
• IHNC
– De-watering, maintenance and repairs initiated 11 August 2008
– Scheduled 60-day construction window
– Set to finish prior to MRGO closure construction
• Baptiste Collette Bayou
– Controlling depth -12 MLG at mile 8.0
– Maintenance dredging completed 4 July 2008
– Allows traffic to continue during lock repair
• MRGO Jetty Rocks
– FONSI signed 21 July 2008 allowing possible rock reuse for
closure structure construction
– Contractors can prepare bids incorporating use of jetty rock
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
8
Other Considerations
- IHNC Lock Replacement
- Emergency Response Plans
- Ecosystem Restoration Study Options
- Continue Open Lines of Communication
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
9
MRGO in Relation to the
New Orleans Metro Area
Lake
Lake Pontchartrain Mississippi
Maurepas
Sound
IHNC Lock
Lake
New Borgne
Orleans
Chandeleur
Sound
Lake Violet
Salvadore Canal
Breton
Sound
Gulf of Mexico
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
10
Site Selection
Closure
Site
Closure Structure
One Team: Communicating, Collaborating, Consensus
11