Millions Secured: Inside the Battle for Amite River Basin Flood Control

Following a highly productive legislative session, State Representative Paul Sawyer secured an unexpected $20 million windfall for the Amite River Basin Commission. The massive financial boost includes $4 million for upper Amite restoration, $1 million for parish flood-risk reduction, and a critical $16 million in savings achieved by negotiating away a heavy state matching-funds requirement. The commission is moving quickly to use these funds north of I-12 to purchase abandoned sand and gravel pits and convert them into a system of interconnected mini-lakes. By restoring the river's natural, winding paths, the project will slow down rushing water from the northern slopes, giving the flat lower basin precious time to drain safely and preventing a repeat of the catastrophic 2016 backups. Additionally, Sawyer noted that while official engineering timelines slate the massive Comite River Diversion Canal for completion by the end of 2028, a realistic timeline accounting for weather and project hiccups points to early 2029.