Locked In: An Environmental Justice Evaluation of New Orleans 9th Wards’ Mistrust Toward the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock Expansion Project

This paper evaluates the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock Expansion Project through an environmental justice lens, focusing on the historical and contemporary impacts on New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. Utilizing historical analysis and community interviews, the study examines the cumulative mistrust towards the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), rooted in historical injustices and reinforced by recent environmental impacts. The paper argues that the IHNC Lock Expansion is not merely a civil engineering project but a profound environmental justice issue, highlighting the need for trust as a critical component in environmental justice assessments. It discusses the potential future harms, including increased flood risks and exposure to toxic contaminants that disproportionately affect the Lower Ninth Ward, a predominantly Black community. By interlinking the historical marginalization and contemporary environmental challenges, the study advocates for a reformed approach in USACE projects that prioritizes community trust and equitable treatment. The conclusion emphasizes the necessity of incorporating community perspectives in environmental planning and the imperative of addressing historical injustices to achieve genuine environmental justice.