LAMA’s report on the Corps’ Mississippi River Maintenance Forum meeting held earlier today (Wednesday, August 1, 2018) and the corresponding agenda are attached.
During the Forum meeting New Orleans District Commander, Colonel Michael Clancy, presented the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley New Orleans Project Manager for the Mississippi River Ship Channel project, Mrs. Michelle Kornick with the Department of the Army’s:
“COMMANDER’S AWARD FOR CIVILIAN SERVICE”
Mrs. Kornick received the award with little of the truly deserved fanfare, but it was an honor to witness her receive this recognition for her years of service and dedication.
Colonel Clancy referenced being able to focus on other challenges in the District knowing the Corps most challenging Ship Channel was in good hands with Michelle Kornick.
Those present could not agree more, Michelle is a trusted friend and colleague that provides outstanding service to the navigation industry along the Mississippi River Ship Channel.
Please remember to congratulate Michelle the next time you see her.
Please review the attachments for complete details.
Corps Mississippi River Maintenance Forum Meeting Notes
The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) holds monthly meetings to discuss channel conditions and related issues directly with the maritime industry. These meetings are usually scheduled for 0900 hours on the first Wednesday of the month. LAMA encourages our members to attend these meetings, which are open to the public with advanced notice of attendance. The agenda for this meeting as provided by the MVN is attached.
Maintenance Forum Notes August 1, 2018
1) Introductions
2) Southeast Waterways Update:
Tiger Pass: No changes, the MVN last surveyed Tiger Pass on February 22, 2018, although an old survey identified a controlling depth of approximately 1 foot Mean Low Gulf (MLG) between Mile 9.5 to Mile 10.5 (jetty end). The last survey effort could not be completed the because of the extreme shoaling but provided enough information to update the estimated amount of material in the channel. Approximately 3.2 million cubic yards of material would need to be removed to restore authorized channel dimensions.
Baptiste Collette: No changes, the Corps has received $13.9 million in supplemental funding that is expected to be sufficient to fund dredging operations to restore full channel dimensions ($6.5 million) and perform rock work to fortify the jetties and channel boundaries ($7.4 million).
3) Mississippi River Conditions Update:
Current Stage New Orleans: 4.2 feet
* Projected to steadily fall to 2.5 feet by August 29, 2018.
Current Stage Baton Rouge: 13.6 feet
* Projected to steadily fall to 9.6 feet * by August 29, 2018.
A. Crossings Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans:
The latest surveys and dredge locations for the Crossings are included in the attached agenda. The MVN continues dredging at least the central 250 feet of channel on the majority of the Crossings with the two dustpan dredges (WALLACE McGEORGE and JADWIN). The dustpan dredge HURLEY is presently working on the shallow-draft site at Wilkerson Point is expected to return to the Crossings next week.
B. New Orleans Harbor:
The MVN and the Port of New Orleans have cooperated to utilize the industry cutterhead dredge MIKE HOOKS (Mike Hooks, Inc.) to work directly for the Port of New Orleans and for the Corps since it was contracted to work for both in July. The cutterhead is expected to begin working for the MVN later tonight to finish an assignment at Nashville Avenue Wharf (Berth A).
* NOTE: The long-term Stage Forecasts are based on future rainfall over the next 48-hours only.
C. Southwest Pass (SWP):
The MVN has restored fully authorized channel conditions in Southwest Pass and all dredging assignments have been completed. The MVN hopper dredge WHEELER is scheduled to complete Readiness Exercise #2-2018 on the Calcasieu River (Lake Charles) today (August 1, 2018). The WHEELER has two final Readiness Exercises tentatively scheduled for the dates below, that will most likely be used in Southwest Pass:
Readiness Exercise #3-2018 from August 14 to August 29, 2018. Readiness Exercise #4-2018 from September 11 to September 26, 2018.
D. South Pass:
The channel remains deficient and, based on limited funding there are no plans to dredge South Pass.
E: Federal Funding Update:
The Project Manager for the Mississippi River Ship Channel, Mrs. Michelle Kornick, updated members on the full amount of supplemental funding received to fund MVN’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M). The additional funding received in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123) will be utilized to perform foreshore rock work in Southwest Pass and to dredge the Hopper Dredge Disposal Area (HDDA) at the Head of Passes.
MVN FY 2018 Budget details are listed in the table below:
MVN FY 2018 O&M BUDGET: |
MVN FY 2018 BUDGET AMOUNTS: |
|
President’s Budget Request |
$83.846 million |
|
Public Law 115-123
|
$75.000 million |
|
FY 2018 Work Plan |
$15.000 million |
|
FY 2018 TOTAL BUDGET
|
$173.846 million |
5) Next Meeting:
The next Forum meeting is scheduled for 0900 hours on September 5, 2018, at the MVN District Assembly Room A.
LAMAs Corps Mississippi River Maintenance Forum Meeting Notes 8118.pdf
