SLIDELL, LA – Senate Majority Leader Sharon Hewitt will be attending the Army Corps of Engineers Public Engagement Meeting regarding the Pearl River Flood Control Project. The Army Corps of Engineers will present information about their Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) on the Pearl River Flood Control Project to concerned citizens at the Slidell High School Auditorium on Tuesday, May 23rd at 6pm. Senator Hewitt will be available to the media following the hearing to make public comments.

Senate Majority Leader Hewitt has been a vocal advocate for local concerns on this project from day one and has created the Lower Pearl River Basin task force with SR123 in 2016 in an effort to study the potential problems this project could cause for those who live and work on the Pearl River and to coordinate the State of Louisiana’s response to this project. 

“This project could have serious impacts on the way of life of Lower Pearl River residents,” Sen. Hewitt said. “I ask all Louisianans interested in the future of the Lower Pearl River Basin to do their research and actively participate in this vitally important public meeting.”   

Proponents of the project in Mississippi cite the need for this as a flood control initiative that could help alleviate flooding for those homes and communities along the Pearl River. However, opponents of the project are quick to point out that Mississippi stands to gain development dollars while Louisiana stands to potentially lose freshwater flow into Honey Island Swamp, destroying one of the most pristine swampland habitats in the United States.

For those who are unable to attend the public meeting in person, you may submit comments through June 30 to pearlriverfrm@usace.army.mil.