W. Memphis gets $16.2M grant to restore floodplains
WASHINGTON — The city of West Memphis will receive $16.2 million in federal grant funding for restoring floodplains along the Mississippi River to prevent repeated flooding of multiple transportation routes, including a public bridge between the Arkansas municipality and Memphis.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the funding as part of nearly $830 million in grants for making surface transportation systems more resilient to extreme weather events, including flooding and heat waves.
The agency noted Thursday the grants are possible through the 2021 infrastructure law and its Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation program addressing the vulnerability of transportation systems.
“Every community in America knows the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, including increasingly frequent heavy rain and flooding events across the country and the sea-level rise that is inundating infrastructure in coastal states,” Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen Bhatt said in a release.
“This investment from the Biden-Harris Administration will ensure our infrastructure is built to withstand more frequent and unpredictable extreme weather, which is vitally important for people and businesses that rely on roads and bridges being open to keep our economy moving.”
West Memphis is the only Arkansas community receiving a PROTECT grant among the 80 recipients in 37 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The $16.2 million grant targets flooding affecting Interstate 40, Interstate 55, two freight rail lines and Big River
Crossing, the bridge allowing pedestrian and bicycle traffic across the Mississippi River.
One element in protecting these transportation routes is Ducks Unlimited Park, a 1,500-acre park in West Memphis accessible via Big River Crossing. The nationwide waterfowl and wetlands conservation organization has its headquarters in Memphis, and it partnered with Big River Park Conservancy on the Arkansas recreational site.
“This is a big win for our community, environment, and Ducks Unlimited Park at Big River Crossing,” West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said.
“Our partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Big River Park Conservancy, and other key stakeholders showcases what we can do when we come together for the greater good of our communities and our planet. It’s a proud moment for all of us in West Memphis and our entire region.”
According to the federal Transportation Department, West Memphis will use the funding to restore hundreds of acres along the Mississippi River’s west bank with actions involving “nature-based solutions such as restoring wetlands and new hardwood forests.” The additional vegetation will slow water movement across the floodplain and reduce the threat of erosion.
Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam said the funding will help the organization and its partners undertake wetland and wildlife habitat restoration efforts.
“We couldn’t be prouder to call Memphis home,” he said. “Ducks Unlimited Park at Big River Crossing not only supports the historic floodplain, it supports our people and our communities.” None of Arkansas’ congressional delegates supported the 2021 infrastructure law creating the PROTECT program. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, whose district includes West Memphis, declined to comment on the announcement.
In a joint release with West Memphis and Big Park River Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited extended thanks to Crawford and Arkansas Sens. John Boozman, R-Rogers, and Tom Cotton, R-Little Rock, for lending their support during the grant application process. The organization additionally recognized several Arkansas and Tennessee lawmakers, businesses, public entities and companies for their encouragement.
Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., applauded the announcement. Cohen, who represents Memphis and surrounding communities on Capitol Hill, serves alongside Crawford on the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“I was pleased to work with DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, regional, state and federal DOT officials and the many public and private stakeholders who have made this major investment possible,” Cohen said. “Although the grant recipient is technically in Arkansas, this funding will have a positive impact on Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District and the wider region.”
Ducks Unlimited said it is hopeful the conservation effort will help create future opportunities for outdoor recreation at the park, including new trails, an outdoor classroom and an off-leash retriever training dog park.