The Good Earth is Stronger Than Ever

BY GORDON DOVE, TERREBONNE PARISH PRESIDENT

With a 2022 budget of $239.1 Million, Terrebonne Parish stands fiscally stronger than ever. The Parish has 102 pump stations (over 200 pumps), all automated with backup generator systems. The larger 50 pump stations are automated with telemetry & SCADA. As evident in the recent hurricane, there was no flooding for Ida. As Hurricane Ida made landfall wind speeds of over 185 mph were recorded and Terrebonne Parish sustained serious structural damage. Within 12 days electrical power began to be restored, with 97% of all power restored in Terrebonne along with water restoration in 28 days. (Great Job from the Waterworks District!)

Now comes the rebuilding of Terrebonne Parish, which is well under way. FEMA has paid $315 Million to the citizens of Terrebonne Parish in the form of grants and loan assistance. Over 800 travel trailers are currently on location at the homes of Terrebonne Parish residents. Sales tax collections for October 2021 were up 43 percent, much of this due to the rebuilding spending. The Parish is diligently working for monies that may be available in the form of FEMA, CDBG, Hazardous Mitigation funding, and others.

The economy of Terrebonne Parish is seeing an increase due to oil and gas prices. New housing development has seen a huge increase in the last year. The Morganza Levee system’s first phase with 13 floodgates and two locks is completed, protecting the citizens of Terrebonne Parish more than ever before. Also, a recent monumental groundbreaking of the $420 Million Lock System on the HNC took place, along with advancing the deepening of the HNC (Houma Navigational Canal) to 20-feet navigable (larger vessel access). Next year increased plans to build additional pump stations, retention ponds, as well as the road extension of Valhi to Highway 90 (engineering and design) are all set to begin. Barrier Island restoration will continue. Whiskey Island and Trinity Island are complete, while the work is starting on Timbalier Island. The rock jetty on Island Road was a huge success and withstood Hurricane Ida’s devastating winds and water. Terrebonne Parish’s Emergency Operations Command Center was at its finest during Hurricane Ida. We will continue with concrete panel repairs, asphalt repairs and overlay, as well as drainage, which will always be at the front of issues and will be addressed constantly.

In closing, “Job Well Done” to all Department Heads in Terrebonne helping to continue to move the Parish forward. My administration, along with the Council, have faced many challenges, including the COVID-19 Pandemic and Hurricane Ida, but we have continued day-to-day operations with fiscal responsibility and cost saving measures. Terrebonne Parish, the Good Earth, is stronger than ever.