The South Delta is on the verge of finally obtaining its long-awaited flood relief pumps, assuming there are no legal challenges to impede the project.
Last Friday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed its intention to advance with a revamped version of the Yazoo Pumps flood relief initiative, a plan that has been in discussion for decades. Notably, the project now enjoys the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which had previously vetoed a similar proposal in 2008 due to concerns about potential damage to 67,000 acres of crucial wetland ecosystems.
In a letter dated January 8, the EPA indicated that the updated mitigation strategies—such as adjusting the operation of the pumps based on seasonal changes and maintaining water levels for aquatic life during drier periods—are projected to alleviate negative impacts to an acceptable degree.
Residents of the South Delta have advocated for the construction of these pumps for years, particularly after the devastating backwater flooding experienced in 2019. Local state politicians expressed enthusiasm for the recent developments.
Senator Joseph Thomas, a Democrat from Yazoo City, remarked, “It’s been a long time coming,” noting that the majority in his constituency support the initiative. He acknowledged that while there may be both pros and cons to the project, he believes its implementation is necessary.
Senator Briggs Hopson, a Republican from Vicksburg, reminisced about the nearly half of his district that was underwater during the 2019 floods. “I’m very pleased that the Corps has issued this (decision),” he commented on Tuesday.
Prior to the latest announcement from the Corps, the future of the Yazoo Pumps had been uncertain for several years. Under the Trump administration in 2020, the EPA stated that the veto from 2008 was no longer applicable based on new Corps studies suggesting that the wetlands were primarily reliant on winter water sources—less critical for the agriculture-rich South Delta region. This meant that the operations of the pumps during other parts of the year could coexist with the wetlands.
However, the EPA reinstated the veto during President Biden’s tenure. By 2023, the Corps decided to collaborate with the EPA to devise flood control methods that still included the pump system.
With the public comment period now concluded and the project seeming to gain momentum, the Corps has yet to disclose a financial estimate for the pumps, which are expected to exceed hundreds of millions of dollars. A pumping station with a capacity of 19,000 cubic feet per second in Louisiana cost about $1 billion approximately ten years ago, whereas the Corps is proposing a station capable of managing 25,000 cubic feet per second for the South Delta.
Corps representative Christi Kilroy informed that the project will advance into the engineering and design stage, during which the agency will establish a monetary forecast. Despite inquiries about the unusual timing of announcing cost estimates post-public consultation, the agency has not provided a response.
The revised proposal states that the pumps will activate once backwater levels reach 90 feet during the designated agricultural season, which spans from March 25 to October 15. For the rest of the year, pumping will only commence if backwater reaches 93 feet.
The Corps noted in its recent announcement that the initiative would result in “less than significant effects (on wetlands) due to mitigation measures.” As part of the mitigation plan, the project includes the acquisition and reforestation of 5,700 acres of farmland frequently impacted by flooding to offset the losses to wetlands.
The EPA highlighted that the decision to initiate pumping at elevated levels and the seasonal approach to operations would help mitigate impacts on the wetlands.
Nevertheless, conservationists, including a collective of former EPA officials, remain skeptical. The Environmental Protection Network, which comprises over 650 former EPA staffers, expressed concerns that the updated pumping plan could potentially lead to the drainage of similar wetlands identified in the 2008 veto.
The coalition of conservation groups, including Audubon Delta, Earthjustice, Healthy Gulf, and Mississippi Sierra Club, continues to oppose the project, arguing that hundreds of species depend on the wetlands for migration, breeding, and nurturing during the agricultural period.
They stated, “This action significantly tarnishes the Biden Administration’s environmental legacy and undermines the EPA’s authority to safeguard our country’s most vital waters.”
When asked about possible legal action in response to the Corps’ ruling, Jill Mastrototaro, policy director for Audubon Delta, stated that the project seems to contravene the veto guidelines documented in their comments and emphasized that all legal options are being considered as they analyze the announcement.
In addition to the pumping system, the project also encompasses voluntary buyout options for residents of properties that flood when water levels exceed 93 feet, affecting around 152 homes.