Cindy goes inland; area mostly unscathed
June 22, 2017
Marie Barrilleaux
June 23, 2017
A showcase of what Terrebonne Parish has done and is planning to protect residents from coastal erosion and related issues is scheduled for next week at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, that will include talks with experts as well as free food.
Two of the people who have worked doggedly on protection projects for years – Parish President Gordon Dove and Reggie
Dupre, director of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District, personally guided the planning of the Coastal Day event, which both say will provide unprecedented access to information and could prove to be entertaining as well.
Coastal Day will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Civic Center on June 27.
There will be special exhibits for children, and a centerpiece will be a huge wall-sized pictorial of the parish adapted from drone photos, showing where various mitigation points are located and helping residents see how they relate to the place where they live.
“We will have equipment on display and videos on flood gates,” said Dove’s executive assistant, Debbie Ortego. “On the middle dividing wall there will be an outline of the actual levee so people can get an idea of what and how high levees are.”
Public officials who are instrumental in creating coastal policies for the parish will be on hand to answer questions both one-on-one and during panel discussions. The event is free of charge.
Dupre said the event is unprecedented in terms of the amount and variety of information that will be provided, offering plain-English explanations of projects that everyone has a stake in but that few people get to actually see.
Local officials have said multiple times in recent years that Terrebonne and surrounding areas are better protected than ever because of recent levee enhancements.
“I know there is a pretty big day planned and hopefully we can get people there,” said State Rep. Jerome Zeringue, who will be among presenters at the panel discussions planned. “The whole beneficial aspect is it provides an opportunity to interact. People can see maps, talk to people who engage in construction and working on projects. Most of what gets done in flood protection nobody ever sees, so it’s hard to develop an appreciation of what’s going on with trying to protect and preserve our resources. This will be a great educational opportunity.”
‘We will have equipment on display and videos on floodgates. On the middle dividing wall there will be an outline of the actual levee so people can get an idea of what and how high levees are.’
A bulldozer and dump truck pile dirt onto a levee in the area – a common sight in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. A Coastal Day will be held from 3-8 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center on June 27. It will afford locals the opportunity to meet with several officials in coastal restoration, who will be on hand to answer any questions or concerns the public may have.
