| July 1, 2005 - (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator David Vitter announced that the U.S. Senate passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill late yesterday, which included $24.9 million in federal funding for the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf and Black. “Water projects are particularly important for Louisiana because of our dependence on our rivers and bayous for commercial and recreational activity,” said Vitter. “This federal money will continue to foster economic growth around Morgan City. The channel must remain fully navigable for the continued viability of the nearby oil and gas related businesses.” The bill provides $24.9 million to restore the Atachafalaya Bay channel to minimum authorized depths for the purpose of aiding oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. The channel is required to be 20 feet deep, but it is only about 10 feet deep in certain areas, causing the channel to be non-navigable to large ships. Billions of pounds of silt come into the river and channel from the Mississippi and Red Rivers, which has virtually shut down a large segment of the maritime industry around Morgan City. “As the bill moves to a House-Senate conference committee, I will continue to impress upon my colleagues the importance of these projects to Louisiana and work to see that this funding is included in the final version of the bill,” said Vitter. The Energy and Water Appropriations Bill has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and will now move to a House-Senate conference committee where a final agreement will be produced. |
Audio Clip | 
Video Clip | 
Document