Gov. Edwards requests federal emergency declaration for saltwater intrusion in Mississippi River

FILE – Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards speaks about the investigation into the death of Ronald Greene in Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 1, 2022. The Democratic governor blocked a package of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation from becoming law Friday, June 30, 2023, including the state’s version of a “Don’t Say Gay” bill and a ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, File)

by: Bella Dardano

Posted: Sep 25, 2023 / 08:15 PM CDT

Updated: Oct 5, 2023 / 09:47 AM CDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (WGNO) — Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards requested a Federal Emergency Declaration for the saltwater intrusion impacting the Mississippi River on Monday, Sept. 25.

A spokesperson for Edwards’ office said drought conditions across the state and Mississippi River Valley have caused the rate of fresh water flowing in the river to lower.

They said the intrusion has already impacted Plaquemines Parish, and St. Bernard, Jefferson and Orleans parishes are “projected to be impacted over the next month.”

According to Edwards’ office, the United States Army Corps of Engineers performed surveys of the river and “learned that on Sept. 20, 2023, the saltwater wedge overtopped an underwater sill at river mile marker 63.8 near Alliance, Louisiana.”

Gov. Edwards requests federal emergency declaration for saltwater intrusion in Mississippi River Download

They said the sill is being upgraded and is a temporary measure to mitigate the intrusion.

The governor’s office said the approval of the Federal Emergency Declaration will offer federal assistance to reimburse ongoing response and temporary mitigation efforts. The approval will also authorize assistance from federal partners.

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