Mississippi River Deepening Project

A. For the purpose established in this Chapter and contingent upon the necessary act of designation to be promulgated by the governor pursuant to R.S. 38:81, designating the Department of Transportation and Development as the assuring and coordinating agency for the Mississippi River Deepening Project, the secretary of the department is authorized to negotiate and contract with the United States of America to provide such local assurances and cooperation as is necessary for the purposes authorized in this Chapter. B. The secretary is authorized to proceed with and cooperate in the planning, design, engineering, construction, and maintenance of the first phase of the project; to-wit, providing a channel forty-five feet in depth from the Gulf of Mexico to mile one hundred eighty one above the Head of Passes. Should training works be required for the project, appropriate fresh water diversion structures shall be constructed, as part of the federal project, to compensate for any consequent loss of fresh water in the marsh environment. C. Upon completion of the first phase of the project, the secretary is authorized to proceed with and cooperate in the planning, design, engineering, construction, and maintenance of the second phase of the project; to-wit, providing a channel forty-five feet in depth from mile one hundred eighty-one above the Head of Passes to mile two hundred thirty-two point four above the Head of Passes. D. Upon completion of the second phase of the project, the secretary is authorized to proceed with and cooperate in the planning, design, engineering, construction, and maintenance of subsequent phases of the project that would advance the deepening of the channel from forty-five feet to fifty-three feet from the Gulf of Mexico to mile two hundred thirty-two point four above the Head of Passes.