Harold Ford Wins Three Important Projects For Tennessee Waterways, Water Quality

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Harold Ford won three major projects in today in Congress to improve Tennessee waterways and water quality.

Ford worked with members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and his Congressional colleagues to include funding in this year’s Water Resources Development Act for a critical groundwater study by the University of Memphis Groundwater Institute, maintenance of the Pidgeon Industrial Harbor and the Memphis Harbor and reconstruction of the Nonconnah Creek Weir.

“The Memphis Sands Aquifer is the vital source of drinking water for our region. This funding is an important step toward protecting the aquifer, and the entire upper Mississippi Embayment, for today’s and future generations,” Ford said.

“The International Port of Memphis has a $5.5 billion annual impact on our economy. The port and its related operations support more than 16,000 jobs in Shelby County alone. The maintenance of these harbors is critical to our region’s economy.

“The Nonconnah Creek project provides flood protection for roughly half the city of Memphis – critical protection for homes and businesses.”

The groundwater quality project will fund a study for the feasibility of managing ground water as a sustainable resource through the Mississippi River Embayment, the river’s upper basin. The University of Memphis Groundwater Institute’s study will also seek to coordinate groundwater supply protection and quality with local surface water protection programs.

The project for maintenance of Pidgeon Industrial Harbor and Memphis Harbor is sponsored by the City of Memphis and the Shelby County Port Authority and will be done by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Nonconnah Weir Reconstruction project will cover the $2.5 million estimated cost to repair the weir to prevent flooding and erosion from the Nonconnah Creek in Southern Shelby County.

From: The Press Room