November 11th Marks Public Input Deadline on MR-GO

Residents Have Opportunity to Make Their Voices Heard on Channel’s Future

CHALMETTE- Those wishing to express their opinion on the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet as part of the Army Corps of Engineers’ public input solicitation are encouraged to write or e-mail their thoughts to the corps before next Saturday.

Last Saturday, the corps hosted an open house and public forum at the University of New Orleans on whether the MR-GO should be deauthorized. Over two hundred people attended the session.

Ideas for the future of the controversial shipping channel include maintaining it at a depth that would continue to allow its navigation by deep draft vessels, keeping the MR-GO open at a shallower depth for barge traffic and totally closing it by placing a permanent structure across channel.

All comments on the deauthorization of the MR-GO received before the November 11th deadline will be included in a report to Congress.

Concerned citizens can mail their comments to the corps at:

MRGO Project Manager, PM-C
USACE- New Orleans District
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70150

The public may also e-mail their input at: mrgo@mvn02.usace.army.mil

The corps will submit its interim report on the MR-GO to Congress on December 15th.