A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study investigating coastal storm risk management problems and solutions has reached an important milestone last month, USACE’s Norfolk District said in their latest release.
Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, signed the Chief’s Report recommending the study’s findings for congressional authorization.
“This milestone is a tremendous achievement,” said Col. Patrick Kinsman, Norfolk District commander . “For three years, our Norfolk team, along with our city of Norfolk partners, worked tirelessly to develop a solution for one of our nation’s toughest challenges. We’re off to a great start and there’s a lot more work ahead of us.”
The Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Study considered coastal storm risk management and resilience planning initiatives and projects underway by USACE and other federal, state and local agencies. It recommends a $1.4 billion project, including storm-surge barriers, nearly eight miles of floodwall, one mile of levee, 11 tide gates, and seven pump and power stations, said USACE.
According to USACE, “the Chief’s Report will undergo further review by the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and Office of Management and Budget before formal submittal to Congress. Congress may choose to authorize the project for construction, commonly accomplished through a Water Resource Development Act.”
After an authorization, the project cannot be constructed until it’s budgeted, said USACE.