The Amite River Basin Commission (ARBC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting on April 14, 2026, to discuss updates to the Amite River Restoration Project, Comite River Diversion Canal Project, and several upcoming legislative bills impacting the ARBC.
Amite River
Firstly, the commission was successful in acquiring a 145-acre parcel of land on the upper Amite River in St. Helena Parish as a part of the Upper Amite Restoration Project. Letters have been sent requesting that the property be removed from the tax-exempt role and placed in the non-exempt role.
The acquisition of abandoned sand and gravel pits is nothing new to the ARBC as they work to stabilize the sites along the Amite River due to their status as major contributors to the river’s sediment load, which, in turn, increases flood risk.
President John Clark noted that the commission is also looking to acquire other similar properties, such as a property located in a stretch of the upper Amite River, measuring about 7 or so miles, that Clark described as being “a lunar landscape” with no vegetation and no river curves to mitigate flood waters.
“That’s what we’re looking at: trying to grow property and put it back like nature had it in its original state,” said President Clark.
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will receive $ 2 million in federal funding from a congressional appropriation, provided by Congresswoman Julia Letlow, to support site improvements that help restore these “lunar” lands.
NRCS’s new funding, according to President Clark, can also help satisfy the capital outlay match requirement for the ARBC’s projects. Capital outlay funds require a local sponsor to match 25% of the amount, leaving the ARBC to use other sources of funding so it won’t have to draw on commission funds.
Comite River
FEMA’s flood mapping process is expected to begin in 2027, after they review the benefits presented so far from the Comite River Diversion Canal. The project is now expected to be completed in 1 to 1 & ½ years, which is faster than the original 3 to 5 year expectations.
FEMA will use the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) model instead of the older DOTD Beta model for mapping in all parishes along the river route.
Official FEMA updates will now be included in any monthly ARBC reports, and FEMA representatives will also attend ARBC task force meetings to stay up to date on the project.
“All in all, on the Comite River Diversion Canal Project, there’s a lot of different maneuvers that have to take place,” President Clark observed, “but from what I can see… everything is moving steadily and moving forward.”
Additionally, bridges LA 964 and LA 67 on Plank Road have been fully repaired, and the LA 19 bridge is about 20% complete and steadily being worked on.
Army Corps of Engineers Meeting
ARBC met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on March 24, 2026, to discuss projects related to sediment removal in the lower Amite River. These projects include the new river pump station, St. James connector levee, Bayou Manchac, and the upper Amite River restoration.
“When we met with the Corps that time, we emphasized the importance of these projects and how this area is the only area in the state not protected along the coastline,” President Clark explained. “I left with an assured feeling that they are aware of what we are doing now… and that they’re going to do everything in their power to help streamline their jurisdiction and process over approval on anything that involves these projects.”
“It was very encouraging,” President Clark added.
Upcoming House and Senate Bills
During the meeting, President Clark also discussed several legislative bills scheduled to come up or currently under discussion during the ongoing legislative session.
Senate Bill 367, currently awaiting House action, will create a river reservoir conservation fund supported by sand and gravel severance revenue.
House Bill 802 will create a river restoration conservation fund, also supported by sand and gravel severance revenue. The current bill is statewide for both conservation and revenue, but a new revision will refine the scope of the funds to the Amite River basin.
“Any building, any street, any structure, highway, or road came from sand and gravel mined from the Amite River,” President Clark stated, “and I think it’s due time that these funds that are collected be focused where they were originally intended.”
House Bill 899 establishes a new statewide regime for oversight and regulation of sand and gravel.
House Bill 493 specifically removes the Amite River basin from the power of expropriation.
A capital outlay House bill will also be on the floor for discussion this week, meaning that the ARBC will be expected to receive ongoing capital outlay for the upper Amite River restoration.
ARBC’s original request for capital outlay funds 2 years ago resulted in them receiving 2 million in funds, which they have used to acquire properties along the river that need restoration and monitoring. However, there is still 67 million in funds from that original request that cannot be accessed until project success is shown and justified.
Finally, House Bill 1 will also be on the floor this week and is projected to be a possible source of more ARBC funding for the ARBC master plan’s implementation.
Ending Remarks
President Clark ended the meeting with a speech highlighting the good work being done by Region 9. Clark, who is a commissioner for three different regions, noted that Region 9 is “doing so much better” than other regions with their watershed initiatives.
Region 5, according to President Clark, is already out of money and is now proposing to tax the parishes to, essentially, “pay for their existence.”
Ultimately, President Clark noted that “if we get our process streamlined, these $346 million dollars worth of projects that we have in this basin will suddenly get going. You’ll see not 20% complete, you’ll see 100% complete, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Cindy O’Neil, a member of the Louisiana Flood Plain Management Association, also approached the commissioners before the meeting adjourned to extend an invitation to the LFMA annual conference. The conference will be held on April 15-17 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center on 201 Lafayette Street, Baton Rouge.
The next meeting of the ARBC will be held on Tuesday, May 12 at 10 AM at the Livingston Parish Council Chambers.
