Scalise Strongly Opposes Corps Plan to Raid SELA Funds

Metairie, La. -- Congressman Steve Scalise reiterated his opposition to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to raid $60 million from the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project (SELA). This SELA funding is vital to St. Tammany Parish and is designated for flood control and essential drainage projects.

“Cost overruns in one project should not be paid for by raiding other much needed flood control projects in our region,” Scalise said. “The Corps’ inability to properly budget for project costs should not come at the expense of St. Tammany residents who still do not have adequate flood protection. Citizens of St. Tammany Parish have been waiting for years to get adequate flood protection, and to have this funding pulled because of poor budgeting by the Corps shows a serious lack of concern for the safety and well-being of St. Tammany residents. I will continue working to find another way to finish the WBV project without raiding the SELA fund and abandoning flood protection that is critical to St. Tammany citizens.”

The SELA funding is designated for flood control and drainage projects, including projects in St. Tammany Parish, specifically the W-14 drainage project, which is said to be just a few months from approval by the Corps. Scalise has met with Army Corps of Engineers General Michael Walsh and emphasized the need to find an alternate approach that does not raid funds designated for St. Tammany Parish. He is also scheduled to meet with Colonel Ed Fleming of the New Orleans District office this Wednesday.

Historically, in order to move funds from one project to another, the Corps gets the state, local officials, and Members of Congress to sign off on a transfer of funds. So far, the Corps has shown an interest in abandoning the historical practice of working with local leaders, and appears willing to proceed without the approval of these groups, which would drain the SELA fund and jeopardize flood protection projects St. Tammany Parish.

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Contact: Stephen Bell
202-226-9113