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Boulet’s administration announces progress in cleaning up the sewage mess

Posted on by Pranco
Boulet’s administration announces progress in cleaning up the sewage mess

Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) has received $6.1 million from the State of Louisiana, with the first reimbursement of the $27 million withheld due to due process and permitting issues related to the Bayou Vermilion Flood Control Project.

This reimbursement covers work performed in 2022 on functional segments of the Homewood and Coulee Ile De Cannes detention ponds.

According to a news release, the Boulet administration has been working to restore credibility with both the Corps of Engineers and state funding agencies. This marks a critical first step toward addressing the financial and permitting requirements necessary to receive full reimbursement for the work and move toward completion of these projects.

Project background and current status:

  • Reimbursement Progress: The State of Louisiana had withheld more than $27 million in reimbursements due to missing federal permits.
  • Ongoing work: Today, Rigid Construction resolves deficiencies under warranty.
  • Permits and Future Work: LCG has submitted applications for retroactive permits to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) necessary to proceed with and complete the Homewood and Coulee Ile De Cannes detention ponds. LCG is currently awaiting response from the USACE.
  • Financial Impact: Securing the remaining $21 million in reimbursements is essential to maintaining the parish’s financial health and ensuring project completion.
  • Looking ahead: Additional work is needed to connect the detention ponds to the Vermilion River. LCG remains committed to working with the Corps of Engineers and the state to resolve outstanding issues, complete the projects, and ensure connectivity within the remaining funding available from the state.

“My team has worked diligently to obtain the appropriate permits to receive full reimbursement and bring this project to completion. It should be an asset to Milton and to Lafayette Parish,” said Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet. There is still much work to be done, but this is the first major success on the path to moving forward and stabilizing the parish’s finances.”