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Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) sent a letter to Major General Richard G. Kaiser, President of the Mississippi River Commission (MRC) and Commander of the Mississippi Valley Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), requesting the MRC undertake a comprehensive study to determine whether the current project flood design is consistent with modern technology and flood standards.

In his letter Palazzo specifically states, "The commission must ensure flood control is still technically sound after nearly fifty years of advancements in science and technology."

Palazzo reiterates the need for the commission to formulate an environmental mitigation plan to prevent flood control from continuing to devastate marine environments. He also calls for the mitigation plan to describe ways to lessen the impact of future spillway openings to ensure the situation does not repeat itself. 

This is the second letter Palazzo has sent to MG Kaiser, who he recently met with in his Washington office, following the USACE's decision to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway, which has released vast amounts of freshwater into the Mississippi Sound. 

The full text of Palazzo's letter is below: 

I am writing to you in your capacity as the President of the Mississippi River Commission to request the commission undertake a comprehensive study to determine whether the current project flood design is consistent with modern technology and flood standards.  The commission developed the current project design flood in 1956 and last reviewed it in 1973.  The commission must ensure flood control is still technically sound after nearly fifty years of advancements in science and technology.

I also request the commission begin formulating an environmental mitigation plan to prevent flood control from continuing to devastate marine environments.  The plan must describe methods to lessen the impact of future spillway openings to fisheries and coastal communities, particularly those along the Mississippi Sound.  I encourage the commission to explore long-term changes to flood control that limit the frequency and duration of spillway openings.