MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Ways and Means
By: Representatives Currie, Bennett, Carpenter, Evans (91st), Felsher, Haney, Hobgood-Wilkes, Ladner, Mangold, Morgan, Owen, Read, Wallace, Pigott, Crawford
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE RANKIN-HINDS PEARL RIVER FLOOD AND DRAINAGE CONTROL DISTRICT FROM IMPLEMENTING THE ONE LAKE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT, AS PROVIDED UNDER THE FEDERAL WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
WHEREAS, the proposed One Lake flood control project, as provided under the Water Resources Development Act, which would create a 1,500-acre lake on the Pearl River near downtown in the City of Jackson, by using a weir, or low-head dam, below Interstate 20, is a costly and destructive project that would not reduce flood risks; and
WHEREAS, the One Lake project rejects effective flood measures and has major implications, such as increased flooding along tributaries, exposing communities to toxic contamination, ruining the oyster industry along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, exacerbating the water crisis in the City of Jackson, and causing massive damage to river and floodplain habitats; and
WHEREAS, rather than a project with such tremendous consequences, such as the One Lake project, a more cost effective plan that does not threaten downstream interest industries and ecology is necessary to reduce flood risks in the state; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District is prohibited from implementing the One Lake flood control project, as provided under the federal Water Resources Development Act.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.