Press Releases

The East Baton Rouge Metro Council recently approved a $20 million budget for drainage projects from federal funding. These projects, accompanying other projects in the Capital Region, will together reduce flood risk for communities throughout the area.

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves released the following statement after seeing the projects kicked into gear:

"This is a smart decision and complements parts of the $3 billion of record funding we previously secured to benefit the Capital Region such as the $255 million for East Baton Rouge Flood Control Project, $400 million for the Comite Diversion Project and $50 million for Livingston Parish drainage projects. I am glad to see our local leaders put the federal dollars to work almost immediately. This is what can happen when we all work together with a greater sense of urgency as soon as funding is available. Money sitting in the bank doesn't do a thing for those gutting sheetrock from their homes or tossing heirlooms on the sidewalk for pickup. Every chance we have to take funding and clear storm drains, dredge or remove debris from our waterways moves us closer to true flood protection in our communities," Graves said.

Recently, more funding was announced for Louisiana flood protection projects. Benefitting Baton Rouge:

• $8.5 million to acquire the lowlands of Bayou Duplantier for flood retention
• $5.7 million to create retention for Ward Creek
• $4.7 million for Cypress Bayou green infrastructure in East Baton Rouge Parish
• $5 million to restore the University Lakes and reduce flood risk

These funds are a result of Graves' legislative efforts that secured $3 billion – half to clear the backlog of legacy flood projects and half to provide future protection against flood risks in South Louisiana. The State-run Louisiana Watershed Initiative has recently announced tranches of projects across Louisiana that are funded by the Graves-secured $1.2 billion federal Community Development Block Grant for Louisiana flood mitigation.

After the 2016 Flood, Graves secured $3 billion in federal funding to protect our homes, businesses, law enforcement, livelihoods, schools and the communities of South Louisiana. The funds advance flood protection, mitigation and resiliency, including:

• $50 million secured for Livingston Parish drainage projects
• $760 million secured for the West Shore Project
• $400 million secured for the Comite Diversion Project
• $255 million East Baton Rouge Flood Control Project
• $350 million for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding

For more information about these projects and funding, click here.