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FACT SHEET
for the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan

Contact: Ray Eaton                                                                 Contact: Jim Hust
MDEQ  Coast Grants Chief                                                                   MSEG  Project                
601.961.5114                                                                                       601.355-3518
Email: gulfregionplan@deq.state.ms.us                                                  Email: mseg@mseg.net 

The Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan is an overall plan to identify water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure needs in the six Gulf Region counties of Hancock, Harrison, George, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone. The purpose of the Plan is to provide infrastructure for long-term growth and recovery in these counties.   

Congress has appropriated approximately $5.05 billion through HUD to the state of Mississippi to aid in the long-term recovery of the State from Hurricane Katrina.  Governor Haley Barbour has decided to utilize a portion of these monies to fund water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure projects.  Priority projects identified in the Plan will be eligible for these funds.  

As directed by the Governor, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is in charge of developing the Plan, which will provide storm-proofing solutions for the region’s water, wastewater and storm water systems. The Plan will make recommendations for infrastructure systems in areas that are particularly vulnerable to storms, and include cost estimates for these proposed projects. 

The Plan will reflect projections on growth patterns that are expected to occur over the next five years, ten years and twenty–five years. These projections will help to identify areas where infrastructure needs could exist. 

Throughout the planning process MDEQ is requesting the participation and input from local officials. After all proposals have been carefully studied, the Plan will prioritize the needs of the region as a whole. A regional approach can better protect the infrastructure from storm events, provide a higher level of public safety, and support economic development that will be beneficial for the entire area. Projected completion time is October 2006, and construction will follow after the Plan is finalized. 

The MDEQ has engaged an engineering firm, the Mississippi Engineering Group, Inc. (MSEG), to assist in the development of the Plan. The MSEG includes the following professional firms:

For questions regarding the Plan, please contact Mr. Ray Eaton, MDEQ project manager, at 601.961.5114, Email him at gulfregionplan@deq.state.ms.us. Or, contact, Mr. Jim Hust, MSEG project director, at 601.355.3518, email him at mseg@mseg.net.

To view county map click on link: George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone, All Six Counties

To View a PowerPoint program about the Gulf Region Plan click HERE.