Higgins Urges President Trump to Direct Army Corps Action on the Vermilion River in Conjunction with UL-Lafayette, Renews Call for Civil Works Reform

Aug 18, 2026 | Media, Press Releases, Water Management

LAFAYETTE, LA - Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump respectfully urging him to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to execute spot dredging of the Vermilion River, a statutorily authorized project since 1956. In the letter, Congressman Higgins details the continued work his office has done to ensure spot dredging the Vermilion can be executed despite the Corps' continued inaction. Read the full letter here.

Congressman Higgins wrote:

"In October 2025, my office delivered a white paper to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought outlining reforms to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works mission to improve the efficiency and execution of federal construction efforts. The history of the Vermilion River in Louisiana's 3rd District demonstrates why these reforms are necessary."

"After I delivered my white paper… the Corps approached my office with its 'Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork Initiative.' This initiative was largely informed from my white paper. I personally met with Assistant Secretary Telle where a shared vision of execution on delayed projects and the necessity of spot dredging the Vermilion River was discussed." Read the white paper here.

The letter details the technical foundation Congressman Higgins built between the Corps and researchers at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette following the historic 2016 flood:

"After the historic 2016 flood that impacted more than 7,000 structures across Acadiana, I facilitated the Corps and top researchers at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to develop an objective hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of spot dredging the Vermilion River. In over nine years of official well-documented engagement, my office has worked consistently with the Corps to support the execution of spot dredging the Vermilion River."

Congressman Higgins closes by urging President Trump to address the barriers holding back the dredging of the Vermilion River:

"After years of study, congressional direction, and $50 million in taxpayer funding, the Corps has yet to remove a single bucket of sediment from the Vermilion River in over 25 years. I urge your full and fair consideration of all factors to address bureaucratic barriers that have prevented spot dredging the Vermilion River from moving forward."

Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, President of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, also submitted a letter to the President in support of moving the project forward:

"Given the importance of the Vermilion River and its watershed to our region, I support Congressman Clay Higgins and the Lafayette Consolidated Government in their request that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers address the dredging needs of the Vermilion River. I also encourage continued federal, state, local, and regional collaboration to evaluate and advance other flood-mitigation opportunities as part of a comprehensive strategy to support a healthy, functional, and resilient Vermilion River and watershed." Read President Kolluru's full letter here.