Sound Solutions: Win-Win Solutions for Both Flood Control and The Mississippi Sound

Shorter Term Solutions

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has discretion to use alternative ways to manage the Mississippi River to protect people and property from flooding while protecting the Mississippi Sound from further harm. We know there are ways to manage the Mississippi River differently to protect New Orleans and not destroy the Mississippi Sound.

Solutions include:

1.) Opening the Morganza Spillway and other spillways and upriver flood plains to avoid or at least mitigate harm from opening the Bonnet Carré Spillway.

2.) Re-engineering more spillways upstream to distribute floodwaters across a wider area.

3.) Modernizing existing spillways to make sure they can open and close rapidly, without leaking.

4.) Urging Congress to amend the law to require USACE to quickly assess the three solutions above and implement them in order to achieve the dual duty of flood protection and environmental protection.

5.) As a last resort, if the Corps fails to exercise its discretion or Congress fails to amend the law, then federal and state courts will be asked to compel the Corps under existing law to protect life and property from flooding and to avoid or at least minimize harm to the natural environment in flood fights.

Longer Term Solutions

Pollution from 31 States

Addressing the pollution that flows into rivers and tributaries in 31 states will require a coordinated national effort. MSSC is committed to working with national and state leaders to begin a process to find win-win solutions.

Changing Laws Through Congressional Action

The Coalition has begun the process of requesting Congress to change laws that govern management of the Mississippi River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure the Corps balances flood control with protecting our Sound once and for all.