Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has announced the committee passage of a Senate bill allocating over $127.2 million for 28 authorized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects and activities in Mississippi, including $9.24 million for repairs and operation of the Arkabutla Lake dam.

Hyde-Smith, along with her colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee, unanimously approved the FY2025 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act on Thursday. This legislation funds the Army Corps, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Department of Energy defense and non-defense programs, as well as independent agencies such as the Delta Regional Authority and Appalachian Regional Commission.

“The funding included in this bill represents an investment in Mississippi’s economy and the safety of its citizens. The work the Army Corps does in our state ensures our ports and waterways can support industry while also providing critical flood protection. My job has been to see that this bill supports that work,” Hyde-Smith stated. “We have more work to do before this bill becomes law, but I’m encouraged by the good showing we’ve made in advancing this bill, which is so important to our state.”

As a member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Hyde-Smith collaborated with her panel to secure increased funding beyond the administration’s budget request for projects in Mississippi.

During a hearing in May, Hyde-Smith received commitments from Army Corps officials regarding prioritizing two significant Mississippi flood control projects: the Arkabutla Lake dam and the Yazoo Backwater Area Pumps.

The FY2025 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill will now be considered by the full Senate this fall. It adheres to statutory caps on discretionary funding established under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

Key items for Mississippi included in this legislation are:

- Yazoo Backwater Area Project: $32 million for flood risk management.

- Mississippi Flood Control Reservoirs and Lakes: $30.1 million.

- Mississippi Ports: $22.2 million for dredging, operation, and maintenance activities.

- Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway: $36.14 million for operation, maintenance, and wildlife mitigation activities.

- Research and Development: $18.2 million primarily allocated to R&D activities at the Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg.

This bill is one of four FY2025 appropriations bills approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today; 11 out of 12 annual spending bills are now available for debate by the full Senate. The committee is expected to consider the FY2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill in September.