Army Corps clarifies no final decision on Pearl River flood control project
The Army Corps of Engineers has clarified that no final decision has been made on the Pearl River flood control project in Mississippi. Local officials announced last week that a plan to widen and develop the riverbanks was moving forward, but federal officials emphasized that a final environmental impact study is still required.
At a Feb. 26 press conference, the Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District announced that Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle had selected a plan based on the locally supported “Alternative D1.” The Corps’ last draft study in 2025 narrowed options to alternatives D1 and E1, with D1 being a scaled-back version of the controversial “One Lake” plan. E1 includes the same design but with a dam.
Telle, in a Jan. 31 memo, indicated he had chosen a combination of D1 and E1. The Corps has stated that both alternatives are environmentally acceptable, pending further investigations and mitigation planning, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Telle attended a Feb. 27 event in Vicksburg promoting the agency’s effort to streamline project approvals.
Despite the local announcement, Corps officials said the project still requires additional design work, public engagement, and environmental assessments before construction can begin. Corps District Commander Col. Jeremiah Gipson described the timeline as “aggressive” but achievable, depending on the completion of a design agreement with the flood control district.
Critics, including environmental groups and downstream communities, remain concerned about the project’s potential ecological impacts. The draft study estimates that alternative D1 would eliminate 740 acres of forested wetlands and 230 acres of riverine habitat. Proponents argue mitigation efforts will protect habitats upstream, but details are still being developed, according to project attorneys.
Some local officials and residents have criticized the project’s focus on flood control for Jackson, arguing it neglects the needs of downstream communities. The project’s estimated cost is around $900 million, with the federal government expected to cover about 65%, or roughly $600 million. So far, the federal allocation stands at $221 million.
Residents in Louisiana, downstream from Jackson, have also expressed opposition, seeking more research on the project’s impact on their communities. Telle emphasized that the Corps aims to prevent downstream disruptions as the project advances.
Source: Original Article
