March 21: 33rd annual Over and Under 5K Tunnel Run and Heart Health Expo (Houma)
March 9, 2009March 12
March 12, 2009
Morgan City is appealing the proposed Federal Emergency Management Administration’s 2000 preliminary digital flood maps and proposed base-flood elevations for the area, saying the levels could hurt new residential and commercial construction.
The city council hired the Shaw Group of Baton Rouge, at a cost of $140,000, to draft the appeal.
Morgan City Mayor Tim Matte said the FEMA maps paint an illogical, contradictory scenario on Lake Palourde.
“The plans call for as much as 6-foot elevations in the west side of Lake Palourde in Morgan City, but only 3-foot elevations on the east side of Lake Palourde in Amelia,” he explained. “Please explain to me how that can be possible? How water can be higher on one side, but lower on the other?”
Morgan City has expanded and prospered since it was founded in 1850 because the area has learned to manage its flood protection system relative to its geographic location among an abundance of water.
“Historically, the protection system has proven effective. The city has not suffered significant flooding since its completion,” Matte said. “When compared to many coastal communities in south Louisiana, Morgan City can be described as advanced with respect to the magnitude of its flood protection system.”
He said the city uses an integrated flood protection system that relies on several components to protect its citizens and its assets. Key components of the system include greater than 15 miles of levees, 33 pumps at eight pump stations and 27 floodgates.
“We’ve never had the kind of scenarios FEMA is painting with these maps. The water never gets here,” Matte said. “The Shaw Group study even calls parts of the FEMA models inconsistent and inaccurate. I really believe two storms would have to happen at the same time in order for flooding to occur.”
Morgan City is surrounded by three sets of levees. One set, which holds the Atchafalaya River at bay, extends 15 miles and stands approximately 22 feet. The second levee surrounds Lakeside subdivision and Victor II Boulevard, and stands about 8 feet.
The third levee, however, is of greatest concern to FEMA. Situated behind David Drive near the Veterans Boulevard intersection, the levee surrounds Morgan City’s only patch of available land. The levee and flood elevations in the area are between five and six feet high.
“If FEMA forces us to accept their plans, new residential and commercial construction will definitely be hurt,” Matte said.
FEMA’s flood maps would require a minimum of 5-foot elevations for both residential and commercial construction.
State Sen. Butch Gautreaux (D-Morgan City) recently made the trek to Washington, D.C., to voice his opposition to U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.
“These maps would hurt Morgan City, particularly in trying to attract new business here,” Gautreaux said.
The local lawmaker also met with former state Sen. Don Cravens, who works for Landrieu and heads a committee on small business and entrepreneurship. Defeating the proposed maps, Gautreaux said, “is important for our growth now and in the future.”
St. Mary Parish Economic Development Director Frank Fink says the situation is less dire, however.
“If we’re forced to take the maps, they would present a double-edged sword for Morgan City,” he predicted. “While it would delay residential construction because of the uncertainty in what the flood elevations would be, commercial construction is what it is. If a new business wants to build in the Morgan City area, they’re going to do it – regardless of what the elevations would be.”
State Rep. Sam Jones (D-Franklin), who represents all of St. Mary Parish except Morgan City, has suggested a solution. Should FEMA force Morgan City to adopt the proposed flood maps, Jones said the levees around Lake Palourde should be raised.
Jones, who served as director of the state’s Rural and Urban Development Department under former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, said state money is available from the Coastal Preservation Restoration Authority.
“This can be classified as hurricane protection, and that is what the CPRA is all about,” he said.
In the meantime, Matte said that construction, mostly commercial, is on the upswing in Morgan City. Two new hotels – a LaQuinta and a Comfort Inn – recently opened and a third, a Hampton Inn, is under construction. The city is also awaiting the grand opening of a new CVS drug store. Last year saw the dedication of a new Sonic Inn and a Walgreen’s Drug store.
Morgan City figures show that construction permits topped $20 million in 2008, $15 million in 2007 and $30 million in 2006, a trend the mayor fears could be stifled if FEMA’s flood maps are approved.
“I have a concern that commercial construction will drift to other parts of the parish, like Berwick and Bayou Vista, or even Franklin, because, frankly, there is little change proposed by FEMA to those areas,” Matte said. “Sometimes I think FEMA would prefer that no one live or even exist below I-10 in Louisiana.”
This 10-foot wall panel is a segment of the floodwall built in 1948. It shows high water marks for the three most significant floods in Morgan City. * Photo by HOWARD J. CASTAY JR.
