PORT ARTHUR — Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas and member of Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees, sat down with local leaders to discuss The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) $5 billion plan for flood control in Texas. Representatives from the USACE dove into the details of the $881 million Port Arthur Levee Project.
The funds were allocated by Congress through a disaster supplemental package in the Bipartisan Budget Act earlier this year.
Cornyn said when they traveled to Washington to ask for money, they didn't settle for just enough to make repairs. The majority of the funds appropriated by congress will go to the Port Arthur Flood Protection Project.
"$3.9 billion is for the planning and completion of this Port Arthur Levee Project," said Cornyn.
The project encompasses three regions, Orange County, Jefferson County, and Freeport County.
Commander Paul Owen explained that their efforts will be spent on improving and building new levees, flood walls, and other systems that help reduce the risk of future storms.
Harris County Judge Jeff Branick said the repairs will also make an economic impact on Southeast Texas.
"The additional protection the levee will provide will give future industrial customers the comfort they need to locate job creating infrastructure along our waterway," said Branick.
Once the project is complete, it will become apart of a larger storm surge system that will protect the entire Gulf Coast.
USACE also announced another nearly $16 million will go toward studies in Texas for projects to help protect the state against future natural disasters.