NEW ORLEANS, May 20 (UPI) -- A representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the organization has called for the closure of Louisiana's Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet.
Residents of Louisiana's St. Bernard Parish praised the Corps' decision to support closing the shipping channel this weekend, but many said they were concerned with the slow progress on that front, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.
Corps official Greg Miller said Saturday that before the channel can be closed, the proposed closing methods must past congressional review.
In addition, Miller told New Orleans-area residents, a construction contract for the work must be awarded and a report must be compiled regarding the closure's potential environmental impact.
The announcement came on the heels of Senate passage of key legislation Wednesday that approved the closure and set a deadline for the Corps to begin its efforts in the region.
