(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announced Wednesday that it has approved grants to the City of Ocean Springs and to the City of Moss Point for four infrastructure projects. The funds provided for these projects are part of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding allocated by Governor Haley Barbour for water and wastewater enhancements in the Gulf Coast Region for hurricane recovery.

The City of Ocean Springs will receive $223,006 for engineering and planning costs for improvements to the Ocean Springs Water Transmission System and improvements to the Ocean Springs Wastewater Transmission System. The grant is anticipated to be increased to $4,223,685 for construction costs.

The City of Moss Point will receive $3,948,390 for the Reverse Osmosis Treatment Plant and that amount is anticipated to be increased to $6,195,252 when construction of the associated Moss Point Water Transmission System is included.

"We appreciate the efforts of the local officials in Ocean Springs and Moss Point who have worked with us and the Jackson County Utility Authority on the planning for these needed projects. We look forward to the construction of these projects happening as quickly as possible," said Trudy Fisher, MDEQ Executive Director.

These projects are part of the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan that provided recommendations for the use of $641 million in disaster recovery funds to enhance water and wastewater infrastructure in Pearl River, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties. Governor Barbour and Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation obtained appropriations of more than $5 billion through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist in hurricane recovery. The Mississippi Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan was prepared by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for improvements intended to support existing and future growth patterns, particularly as realized through new housing construction, and to promote economic development.

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(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announced today that bids for three projects, which comprise the Poplarville Area Water Improvements, have been accepted by the Pearl River County Utility Authority. The bid package must now be submitted to and approved by MDEQ. When constructed, the three projects will total more than $2 million. The funds provided for these projects are part of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding allocated by Governor Barbour for water and wastewater enhancements in the Gulf Coast Region for hurricane recovery.

The three projects are:

•A 700 gallon per minute water supply well;

•A 500,000 gallon elevated storage tank; and,

•A water treatment plant.

"We are pleased that the bids for these projects have been accepted by the Authority and anticipate moving quickly to approve them. On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we are mindful of how important these infrastructure projects are for rebuilding and recovery in South Mississippi. We appreciate the efforts of the Pearl River County Utility Authority and Poplarville officials who have worked with us on the planning for these needed projects," said Trudy Fisher, MDEQ Executive Director.

These projects are part of the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan that provided recommendations for the use of $641 million in disaster recovery funds to enhance water and wastewater infrastructure in Pearl River, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties. Governor Barbour and Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation obtained appropriations of more than $5 billion through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist in hurricane recovery. The Mississippi Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan (www.msgulfregionplan.org) was prepared by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for improvements intended to support existing and future growth patterns, particularly as realized through new housing construction, and to promote economic development.

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CONTACT:
Office of the Governor
Pete Smith (601) 359-3150 or (601) 720-8733
Rebekah Staples (601) 359-3150
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Robbie Wilbur (601) 961-5277

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES GRANTS OF $9.5 MILLION
FOR FOURTEEN PROJECTS IN JACKSON COUNTY

Grants for constructed projects will total $99.5 million

(JACKSON, Mississippi) – Governor Haley Barbour announced today that
the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has approved
two grants totaling $9.5 million for planning and engineering costs for
fourteen projects in Jackson County.

A grant of $9,178,357 to the Jackson County Utility Authority for seven
projects is anticipated to be increased after the planning and
engineering phase to a total of $94,035,531. A second grant of $339,239
to the City of Pascagoula for seven projects is anticipated to be
increased after the planning and engineering phase to a total of
$5,522,853. The funds provided for these projects are part of the U.S.
 

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding allocated by Governor
Barbour for water and wastewater enhancements in the Gulf Coast Region
for hurricane recovery.

"I am pleased that these grants have been approved for these vital
projects in Jackson County. New and improved infrastructure is a
positive step for future storm preparedness and will also promote
economic development. The continued recovery and rebuilding efforts on
the Gulf Coast require enhanced and expanded regional water and sewer
system infrastructure," Governor Barbour said.

"The approval of these grants is great news for Jackson County and
the City of Pascagoula. We appreciate the efforts of the Jackson County
Utility Authority, Pascagoula officials, and other local officials who
have worked with us on the planning for these needed projects. We
anticipate moving through the planning stage and entering the
construction phase as quickly as possible," said Trudy Fisher, MDEQ Executive Director.

The projects included in the grant to the Jackson County Utility
Authority are:

• The Western Jackson County Regional Water Supply;
• The Eastern Jackson County Regional Water System;
• Improvements for the West Jackson Regional Wastewater

Treatment Facility and Transmission System;

• Improvements for the Gulf Park and Ocean Beach areas
  Transmission System;
• North Jackson County Decentralized Wastewater
  Treatment Facilities;
• Improvements for the Gautier Regional Wastewater
  Treatment Facility; and
• Improvements for the Escatawpa Regional Wastewater
  Treatment Facility.

The projects included in the grant to the City of Pascagoula are:

• Improvements for the River Park Water Transmission System;
• Improvements for the Chipley Water Transmission System;
• Improvements for the Beach Boulevard Water Transmission
  System;
• Improvements for the River Park Wastewater Transmission
  System;
• Improvements for the Shortcut Road Transmission System;
• Improvements for the Chipley Wastewater Transmission System;and
• Improvements for the Beach Boulevard Wastewater Transmission
  System.

These projects are part of the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan
that provided recommendations for the use of $641 million in disaster
recovery funds to enhance water and wastewater infrastructure in Pearl
River, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties. Governor Barbour
and Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation obtained appropriations of
more than $5 billion through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development to assist in hurricane recovery.

The Mississippi Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan was prepared by the Mississippi
Department of Environmental Quality for improvements intended to support
existing and future growth patterns, particularly as realized through
new housing construction, and to promote economic development.

CONTACT:
Office of the Governor
Pete Smith (601) 359-3150 or (601) 720-8733
Rebekah Staples (601) 359-3150

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Robbie Wilbur (601) 961-5277

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 20, 2007

MDEQ APPROVES GRANTS OF $15.3 MILLION FOR TWELVE HANCOCK COUNTY PROJECTS
Constructed projects will total $111 million

(JACKSON, Mississippi) – Governor Haley Barbour announced today that
the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has approved
two grants to the Hancock County Utility Authority for planning and
engineering costs for twelve infrastructure projects in Hancock County.

The first grant of $10 million for seven projects is anticipated to be
increased after the planning and engineering phase to a total of
$75,451,650.  The second grant of $5.3 million for five projects is
anticipated to be increased after the planning and engineering phase to
a total of $35,747,647.  The funds provided for these projects are part
of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding allocated by
Governor Barbour for water and wastewater enhancements in the Gulf Coast
Region for hurricane recovery.

"Hancock County was dealt a severe blow by Hurricane Katrina and
improving and expanding their water and sewer system infrastructure into
a regional approach is an important component toward recovery and
rebuilding.  These funds are vital to support both existing and future
growth patterns in the region especially for new housing construction.
I am pleased these projects are moving forward," Governor Barbour
said.

"The approval of these grants is great news for Hancock County.  We
appreciate the efforts of the Hancock County Utility Authority and other
local officials who have worked with us on the planning for these needed
projects.  We anticipate moving through the planning stage and entering
the construction phase as quickly as possible," said Trudy Fisher,
MDEQ Executive Director. 

The projects included in the first grant are:

 ●The Kiln Water Distribution System;

 ●The Eastern Hancock County Regional Water Supply System;

 ●Improvements for the Waveland-U.S. Highway 90 Water System;

 ●The Northern Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility and Transmission System;

 ●The Kiln Wastewater Collection System;

 ●Improvements for the Bay St. Louis Cedar Point and I-10 Wastewater System; and

 ●Beach Stormwater Demonstration Project.

The projects included in the second grant are:

 ●The Pearlington-Port Bienville Regional Water Supply System;

 ●The Pearlington Water Distribution System;

 ●The Hancock County Water and Sewer District Water Distribution System;

 ●The Western Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility; and

 ●The Pearlington Wastewater Collection System.

These projects are part of the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan
that provided recommendations for the use of $641 million in disaster
recovery funds to enhance water and wastewater infrastructure in Pearl
River, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties.  Governor Barbour
and Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation obtained appropriations of
more than $5 billion through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development to assist in hurricane recovery.  The Mississippi Gulf
Region Water and Wastewater Plan was prepared by the Mississippi
Department of Environmental Quality for improvements intended to support
existing and future growth patterns, particularly as realized through
new housing construction, and to promote economic development.

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Contact: Robbie Wilbur
601/961-5277                                                                                                                      

MDEQ APPROVES GRANT FOR FOUR PEARL RIVER COUNTY PROJECTS

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has approved a grant of $2,440,541 for planning and engineering costs for four infrastructure projects in Pearl River County.  The grant is anticipated to be increased after the planning and engineering phase for construction which will amount to a total of $56,810,212.  The funds provided for these projects are part of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding allocated by Governor Haley Barbour for water and wastewater enhancements in the Gulf Coast Region for hurricane recovery.

The four projects are:

•The Poplarville Regional Water Supply System.

•The Picayune Regional Water Supply System.

•The Poplarville Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility and Transmission System.

•The Picayune Wastewater Treatment Facility and Transmission System.

“We appreciate the efforts of the Pearl River County Utility Authority and other local officials in Pearl River County who have worked with us on the planning for these needed projects.  We anticipate moving through the planning stage and entering the construction phase as quickly as possible,” said Trudy Fisher, MDEQ Executive Director. 

These projects are part of the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan that provided recommendations for the use of $641 million in disaster recovery funds to enhance water and wastewater infrastructure in Pearl River, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties.  Governor Barbour and Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation obtained appropriations of more than $5 billion through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist in hurricane recovery.  The Mississippi Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan was prepared by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for improvements intended to support existing and future growth patterns, particularly as realized through new housing construction, and to promote economic development.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2007
Contact: Robbie Wilbur
601/961-5277                                                                                                        

MDEQ APPROVES GRANT INCREASE FOR POPLARVILLE WATER SYSTEM 

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has approved a grant increase of $2,229,282 to the Pearl River County Utility Authority to provide funds for construction of a water supply well, treatment and storage system.  This water supply system will initially provide water to Poplarville and will eventually be part of a regional system that will provide water from Poplarville up to the Hillsdale community.  The funds provided for this project are part of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding allocated by Governor Haley Barbour for water and wastewater enhancements in the Gulf Coast Region for hurricane recovery.  Construction is expected to begin in September. 

“We appreciate the efforts of the Pearl River County Utility Authority and the leadership in Poplarville who have been persistent in their vision of rebuilding and enhancing their community for the betterment of their citizens.  The first phase of the grant providing for the project’s engineering work is nearing completion, HUD has approved the environmental work, and I am pleased to allocate these funds for construction on this much needed system to enhance the future economic development in Poplarville and Pearl River County,” said Governor Haley Barbour.   

“We are excited to receive this grant increase as it will be a huge benefit to both Poplarville and Pearl River County.  The relationship between the Town of Poplarville and the Pearl River County Utility Authority will benefit the town and the county both now and the future and will serve as a model for future projects with the Authority and other entities in our county,” said Steve Lawler, President of the Pearl River County Utility Authority. 

The Town of Poplarville and the Pearl River County Utility Authority recently signed a local service agreement that stipulates an agreed upon amount of water that will be provided by the Authority to the town on a wholesale basis.  The construction of the water supply system will allow the town to grow and will result in the lifting of a current moratorium on additional connections that is currently in place.  A Community Development and Block Grant application has been submitted that requests funds to construct the remainder of the Poplarville Regional Water System that will provide water from Poplarville to the Hillsdale community. 

This project is part of the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan that provided recommendations for the use of $641 million in disaster recovery funds to enhance water and wastewater infrastructure in Pearl River, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties.  Governor Barbour and Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation obtained appropriations of more than $5 billion through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist in hurricane recovery.  The Mississippi Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan was prepared by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for improvements intended to support existing and future growth patterns, particularly as realized through new housing construction, and to promote economic development.

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FROM:

Office of the Governor
Pete Smith (601) 359-3150 or (601) 720-8733
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 9, 2007

WATER AND WASTEWATER PLAN SUBMITTED TO HUD

(Gulfport, Mississippi) * Governor Haley Barbour announced today a master plan to develop and enhance water and wastewater infrastructure in Mississippi’s coastal region has been submitted for approval to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Under the plan, which was revised and expanded after additional needs were identified during a public comment period, $630 million in disaster recovery funds would be available to provide reliable water, sewer and storm water infrastructure.

"Tens of thousands of our citizens were without basic services when water and sewer systems in the Gulf Coast region were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina," Governor Barbour said. "These systems must be improved and storm-proofed to ensure future hurricanes do not have the same devastating impact. We must also provide infrastructure for new development, which will occur as people move further inland."

"I am very pleased that this master plan reflects cooperation among the state, local leaders and business interests to provide systems that will serve as a backbone to support existing and future growth in our coastal counties."

Governor Barbour said he expects HUD to approve the plan.

The request contains $25 million already approved to fund emergency projects. To date, applications have been received from Pearl River County requesting $2 million for water system in Poplarville, and Jackson County requesting $3.9 million for a decentralized waste treatment facility in Hurley.

Governor Barbour and Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation obtained appropriations of more than $5 billion through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist in hurricane recovery. Following a recommendation by the Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal, the Legislature created the Gulf Coast Region Utility Board and utility authorities in 2006.

Out of this money, the Mississippi Gulf Water and Wastewater Plan was prepared under a contract between the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and MS Engineering Group, Inc., for improvements intended to support existing and future growth patterns, particularly as realized through new housing construction, and to promote economic development.

More than 300 projects were recommended. In order to be eligible, projects had to comply with HUD regulations, provide infrastructure in areas not served or underserved, and be able to be implemented by 2010.

The public comment period also revealed that areas in Hancock County were "ultra-distressed" and had suffered too much loss to provide the distribution or collection systems to benefit from the regional "backbone" system. As a result of that finding, $47 million was added to the plan to provide systems in "ultra-distressed" areas.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR ENCOURAGES PUBLIC COMMENT ON INFRASTRUCTURE ACTION PLAN

(Jackson, Mississippi)-Governor Haley Barbour is encouraging the public to participate in development of a plan to improve water and sewer services in Mississippi's six southernmost counties.

Governor Barbour today announced that a draft action plan is being published for public comment. It is called the Gulf Coast Regional Infrastructure Program Action Plan and is required by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The plan details how the state will administer $500 million in federal grants for building new water and sewer infrastructure in the Gulf Region after Hurricane Katrina.

"Water and sewer systems in the Gulf Coast region were decimated by Hurricane Katrina, causing tens of thousands of our citizens to be without these basic services. These systems must be repaired, improved and storm-proofed to ensure future hurricanes do not have the same devastating impacts," Governor Barbour said. "We must also provide infrastructure for new development which will occur as people move further inland. The federal government has been generous in granting substantial funds to allow for this, and we are working with local governments to provide systems to meet their needs."

The Gulf Coast Regional Infrastructure Program is designed to address the importance of providing reliable water, sewer and storm water infrastructure and the long-term impact this will have on the recovery of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Specifically, the program details the state's plans for developing a master plan for water, sewer and storm water systems throughout the lower six counties and explains to HUD how funding for infrastructure development will be administered by the state.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2006, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will post the plan for administering the Gulf Coast Regional Infrastructure Program on www.mississippi.org to allow for public comments and suggestions. All comments must be submitted online by June 29, 2006, to be considered. During the comment period, MDA will compile and evaluate the submissions, make any necessary adjustments to the action plan and submit it to HUD for final approval.

The Gulf Coast Regional Infrastructure Program Action Plan stems from the Legislature's enactment, during the 2006 legislative session, of the Gulf Region Water Utility Authority Act-a key recommendation of the Governor Barbour's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal-which provides for regionalized water, sewer, and storm water systems throughout George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone counties.

The regionalized systems will utilize federal grant funds in the most efficient and effective means possible to implement the recommendations of the master plan being developed by the Department of Environmental Quality. The Gulf Coast Regional Infrastructure Program Action Plan will detail this information to HUD and, once approved, allow for the release of federal funds to Mississippi.

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