Jackson coalition rallies behind Pearl River flood control project

A diverse group of central Mississippi business, education and political leaders converged in downtown Jackson on Wednesday to announce the formation of a new coalition to rally for the construction of a long-debated flood control project along the Pearl River.

Called the Pearl River Revitalization Coalition, the group supports implementation of the latest proposal, known as “Alternative D,” which is currently under consideration by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agency is expected to release a final recommendation on the plan by the end of 2024.

Wednesday’s coalition announcement followed a series of “Environmental Justice” meetings coordinated by the Corps earlier this month where some residents have complained the plan would induce more flooding in low-lying areas, particularly in South Jackson, Byram and Richland.

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The meetings came weeks after a Clarion Ledger investigation found that most residents in those areas had no idea their homes and neighborhoods could see increased flooding.

Jeff Rent, president of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, who spoke on behalf of the new coalition Wednesday, disputed claims that the project would worsen flooding.

“Engineering reports don’t support that statement,” Rent said.

As for approximately 52 homes in very flat, low-lying areas that would see little benefit from the project, Corps officials have hinted that localized flood abatement measures such as putting homes on stilts could be used. Property buyouts have also been discussed although whether the buyouts would be voluntary or mandatory hasn’t been fully explained.

Some property owners have expressed skepticism over those ideas. Wanda St. Germain Bischof, who lives in a trailer park neighborhood in Richland, told the Clarion Ledger, she doubted any potential buyout for her trailer and property from developers would be sufficient to cover new land, utilities and a house.

“Where are we gonna go? We’d be destitute,” Bischof said.

Coalition members counter, however that any potential negatives are far outweighed by the economic and recreational benefits of Alternative D.

Emily Hoff, executive director of the Mississippi Children’s Museum which is located near the river at LeFleur’s Buff State Park said the plan is “critical to change the trajectory of Jackson.”

Making the Pearl more accessible would add a great attraction for the museum’s visitors, she said.

“It connects Jackson back to the Pearl River and makes it not only safe and sustainable but ultimately a beautiful gathering place for our community with the potential for riverfront parks and trails that we can all enjoy,” Hoff said.

Rickey Thigpen, president and CEO of Visit Jackson, an agency promoting tourism in the city, hailed the plan as a way to “transform Jackson” and promote future economic development.

“We’ve seen cities across the country embrace their urban rivers,” Thigpen said. "When this happens, it leads to an explosion of positive quality of life improvements for our community as well as economic opportunities."

Dr. Monica Lewis, interim vice president for Institutional Advancement at Jackson State University, said the Jackson area is home to about 36,000 college students each year. Recreational amenities offered by the plan would enhance recruitment and “play a huge role” in attracting and retaining college students in the area, she said.

Rent said that while Jackson’s population has been declining, cities that have adopted new river recreational facilities, including Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Chattanooga, are “thriving.” Jackson has lost 27,000 people just since 2010, Rent said.

Also responding to questions Wednesday was former Mississippi 3rd Dist. U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering who served in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1997 and 2009.

Pickering said differences between the new Alternative D concept and the previously proposed “One Lake” project as a “hybrid” compromise that reduces cost and avoids hazardous waste areas while still widening and lowering the elevation of the river.

A key component will be to build a new low dam on the river south of Interstate 20. The low dam, called a weir, is designed to stabilize water elevations at a specific point, which will allow for construction of a new water treatment facility to serve southern parts of the city in the future if required.

An existing 100-year-old weir near the J. H. Fewel water treatment facility near Belhaven will be removed as part of the plan.

Coalition members said removal of the old weir will not require Fewell to shut down immediately but would facilitate its eventual decommissioning should the time come.

Hoff called Alternative D “the only option that combines flood protection, community benefits, and allows for a modern, environmentally superior water plant in South Jackson.”

A final cost estimate for the project should be available as part of the Corps of Engineers final report due later this year.

With estimates running between $487 million and $655 million the majority of funding would come from federal sources, but a critical 35% of project funding must come from local sources. Rent said that coalition members will stand ready to begin facilitating fundraising efforts once the exact local funding costs are known.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba is among the officials who have endorsed the Alternative D flood control concept. Other coalition supporters include Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham and representatives from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Tougaloo College, Millsaps College, Belhaven University, the Mississippi Museum of Art, Ergon, C Spire and other Jackson-area institutions.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson coalition rallies behind Pearl River flood control project