By: MS Mornings, Magnolia Tribune
The Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District is pushing back against claims that the proposed Pearl River flood control project will cause flooding in south Jackson.
“We strongly disagree with the characterization in the Clarion-Ledger recently that the proposed compromise flood control plan would create additional flooding in south Jackson,” said Supervisor Robert Graham, Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District board member. “We have been working closely with the Corps of Engineers for years to develop a solution that can protect the majority of Jackson Metro homes and businesses facing Pearl River flooding. This project would not cause new flooding for any homes that are not already in the floodplain south of the project area. In fact, in addition providing the widest scope of flood benefits, this is the only alternative that makes it possible to deliver a long-term solution for south Jackson’s historic water supply problems. Opponents of the project regularly distort information to scare people, but we are going to keep working with the Corps to put out accurate information to the public.”
The District said in a statement that the “mischaracterization” was based on a draft feasibility document developed by the Corps of Engineers.
“The draft document referenced several houses, some of which are abandoned, that are located in the flood plain south of Interstate 20 which already experience regular flooding. The proposed project plan includes money for home raising or buyout for those properties, but to be clear, the project itself does not create new flooding on properties that are not already flood prone,” the District noted.