Mississippi is one of only four states that will be receiving additional funds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging and flood control along its major tributaries, according to U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran.

The Mississippi Republican said in a news release that the corps will give an additional $14.4 million to Mississippi this year to support more dredging, flood control and other construction and maintenance projects.

Cochran said Congress approved the additional funding in January.

In addition to Mississippi, portions of the funding will be used in Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Cochran said some of the funds will go to dredging projects at the harbors at Rosedale, Greenville, Vicksburg, Gulfport and Pascagoula.

It will also assist with maintenance of flood control projects like Arkabutla Lake, which provides critical flood protection for the Mississippi Delta while enhancing outdoor recreation and tourism.

“The Army Corps of Engineers has determined that it should direct funding for channel management, flood control and other work needed in Mississippi, which is good news for areas of our state whose safety and livelihoods rely on these projects,” Cochran said.

Cochran serves on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Corps of Engineers.

“Congress is not funding ‘new starts’ projects without authorization or a presidential request, so the commitment to direct additional resources to Mississippi should help ensure the safety and viability of river management projects and infrastructure in our state,” Cochran said.

Cochran said the Corps of Engineers has indicated it will direct resources for the following MR&T projects in Mississippi this year:

• $2.8 million, Yazoo Basin, Delta Headwater Project.

• $800,000, Yazoo Basin, Big Sunflower.

• $520,000, Big Sunflower River Watershed.

• $400,000, Yazoo Basin, Yazoo Backwater Area.

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