U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) announced yesterday that Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite has signed the Chief’s Report for the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levees project, the formal recommendation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the improvements necessary so the Tulsa Levees can continue to minimize the risk to life and property in communities they protect from flooding. On average, once funded, it takes three years to complete a feasibility study and Chief’s Report. Because of Inhofe’s persistence, it was completed in just 19 months.
Now, the signed report will be sent to Congress for authorization and appropriation. However, because Sen. Inhofe pushed to provide the funding for the Chief’s Report under supplemental appropriations in 2018, the Corps has the flexibility to immediately begin funding preconstruction phases with existing funding.
“The Tulsa Levees have been rated unacceptable and high risk for far too long, and today we finally have the necessary approval to begin modernizing and upgrading the levees,” Inhofe said. “We’re now ready to move to the preconstruction engineering and design (PED) phase, bringing us a critical step closer to protecting the lives of the people and the hundreds of homes and businesses that rely on the levees. I appreciate the tireless work of Lt. General Semonite and the Tulsa District Office staff, and appreciate all they did to make this project a priority.”
“The news that the Chief’s Report has been signed today is outstanding news and a testament to Sen. Inhofe’s work on this project,” Todd Kilpatrick, District 12 Levee Commissioner, said. “This is something that has been years in the making, not just something that can happen overnight. Thank you, Sen. Inhofe, for prioritizing the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levees and remembering what is important to Oklahoma. The signing of this report means Tulsans will be protected from flood like the ones we endured last year for years to come.”
“All the years of working with Senator Inhofe to get funding for the levees is paying off,” Karen Keith, Tulsa County Commissioner, District 2, said. “I’m thrilled to learn that the Chief’s Report is signed and this project on the path for future funding. These levees are a safety net for all the families living along the river on Tulsa’s west side. A dense industry corridor, including refineries vital to the economy of Tulsa and Oklahoma, rely on these levees to keep their doors open. Senator Inhofe has been a steady force as an advocate to get these levees fixed I am so grateful and humbled. This is a victory for our team that includes the US Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District and, of course, Todd Kirkpatrick our Levee Commissioner. I must also thank Lt. General Todd Semonite who toured our levees then flew back here during the high water event last year. Bottom line thank you Senator Inhofe to say you were tenacious is an understatement.”
“The news today that Lt. General Todd Semonite has signed the Chief’s Report for the Tulsa and West Tulsa Levee Feasibility Study is an enormous milestone in the approval process that will lead the way to the design and ultimate construction of critically needed levee improvements to the Tulsa levee system,” Rich Brierre, Executive Director of INCOG, said. “The importance of Senator Inhofe’s leadership in this effort simply cannot be overstated. Senator Inhofe was an early, tireless and vocal advocate recognizing the need, securing the funding and urging the completion of the study in a timely fashion. We also commend the work of the Tulsa District Office of the US Army Corps of Engineers and its local sponsor Tulsa County Drainage District #12 in this milestone. The study which normally would have taken three years was completed in 18 months. Again, I want to especially thank Senator Inhofe for his leadership in this effort.”
“Tulsa District is proud of the work we have done in completing this ground breaking study quickly, which will ultimately lead to protecting the lives of many Tulsans,” Col. Scott Preston, Tulsa District Commander, said.