BATON ROUGE, La. — Through her work on the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Julia Letlow has secured $2 million in Community Project Funding to boost flood mitigation efforts in South Louisiana.
Letlow secured funding for the Upper Amite River Flood Reduction and Restoration project in H.R. 5371, the FY 2026 Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations bill, which cleared Congress [Tuesday/Wednesday] night. The continuing appropriations measure re-opened the federal government and fully funded the U.S. Department of Agriculture. President Trump has already signed the funding into law.
The funding will support a collaboration between the Amite River Basin Commission and the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service to restore natural features on the upper Amite River. The project envisions restoring areas historically degraded from industrial activity along the waterway, helping to restore meanders in the river, allow for more flood water storage, and reduce the accumulation of sediment that clogs lower parts of the river.
"One of the biggest issues facing the Capital Region is protecting our communities from the dangerous flooding that Louisianans know all too well," said Congresswoman Julia Letlow. "This significant funding is a key step toward supporting flood mitigation efforts along the Amite River. I'm committed to continuing to deliver targeted support for South Louisiana's needs through my seat on the Appropriations Committee."
"Rep. Letlow is the Amite River Basin Commission's strong partner in lowering flood risk in the Capital Region," said ARBC Commissioner President John Clark. "The funds she secured will help us restore the Amite River's flood storage capacity and help protect lives, homes and communities. She shares the ARBC vision of a safer Amite River Basin."
Livingston Parish President and ARBC Commissioner Randy Delatte emphasized the project's importance to regional planning. "Congresswoman Letlow's partnership with Livingston Parish and the ARBC on flood protection is important for the success of Livingston's drainage master plan and the unanimously passed ARBC Master Plan," Delatte said.
Ascension Parish President and ARBC Commissioner Clint Cointment highlighted how the upper river restoration will benefit downstream areas. "The success of this Letlow-ARBC partnership on Upper Amite Restoration means that the $100 million in Lower Amite projects in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston and St. James will perform much better and protect more people, businesses and communities," Cointment said.
The ARBC will commence planning and designing efforts with the NRCS as soon as funds are made available to the agency. The commission will continue its current collaboration with the state government and Louisiana Senators Franklin Foil and Valarie Hodges, and Representative Kellee Dickerson on ongoing restoration funding efforts.
The Amite River Basin includes Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, St. Helena, and St. James parishes.
