Washington, D.C.  – The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 (H.R. 1495), approved by the U.S. House of Representatives today, includes a provision for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct a boat landing along the Atchafalaya River in St. Landry Parish.  U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., R-Lafayette, who helped guide WRDA through the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, today highlighted this important project.  

“This long-awaited project will be a significant benefit to Melville and its surrounding towns,” Boustany said.  “By providing commercial and recreational fishermen easy access to the Atchafalaya River, this boat ramp will increase local tourism and contribute to the economic development of St. Landry Parish.”

Town of Melville Boat Landing

•  A 1986 WRDA Bill authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct 15 boat landings in the lower Atchafalaya Basin Floodway.  A requested boat landing in the Town of Melville, however, was not included.

•  This year’s WRDA bill includes a provision for construction of a boat ramp in the Town of Melville.

•  Such a ramp will provide easy access to the river for commercial and recreational fishermen, and will also benefit the surrounding towns of Palmetto, Krotz Springs, Lebeau, Opelousas, and Ville Platte.