HNC deepening called into question

The Terrebonne Economic Development Authority received a special request from Terrebonne Parish administrators last week, asking members to forgo any project concerning deepening of the Houma Navigational Canal.

A letter addressed to TEDA President Henry Richard and Chief Executive Officer Mike Ferdinand, of TEDA said the parish “will not support any effort to have the Houma Navigational Canal deepened prior to the authorization, funding and implementation for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf project.”

The letter, written by Parish Administrator Barry Blackwell, was sent to the board on Jan. 17. Authorizing a survey that would analyze the cost-benefit ration of deepening the canal was on the agenda for TEDA’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Ferdinand said a new economic survey was in the works because the last one did not provide a sufficient, in-depth look into further dredging.

“Our motion just gave the OK for the analysis,” said Ferdinand at the meeting. “The motion made tonight will not fund deepening. That will be up to the government.”

Still, parish administrators noted in the letter to the authority they would in no way support even the thought of deepening, saying that “a recent effort was launched to attach language to a bill that linked the HNC deepening with Morganza authorization efforts. The effort to link the issues was successful, but the legislation was killed at the last minute by Senator Coburn, Ok, due to the last minute inclusion of the deepening languages.”

Administrators fear the end result of the absence of Morganza will leave residents vulnerable to future flooding.

Jerome Zeringue, director of the Terrebonne Levee Conservation District, worries that there is some confusion about the affect deepening would have on Morganza authorization.

“The deepening doesn’t have any affect on Morganza. It is an independent project,” he said.

Zeringue said the only connection between the authorization and canal deepening is the lock complex included in the Morganza project. Along with 64 miles of levee construction and upgrading, the plan calls for construction of lock completed at the canal, reducing the risk of flooding and regulating saltwater intrusion.

“Quite frankly, the deepening cannot happen without the lock,” he said.

The lock’s height would depend on the depth of the canal, Zeringue said, and would be the only concern regarding Morganza. But when it comes to federal authorization, the deepening should not have an impact, he said.

Some officials say any impact the deepening would produce will fall on local shipping businesses. A larger opening would allow for larger boats to pass through and make shipping more effective in the marine and oil fields.

“The boats are getting bigger and bigger,” said David Rabalais, director of the Terrebonne Port Commission. “Some businesses are saying that the depth has become a problem and deepening would not only let bigger boats through, but create more jobs and add to our overall economy.”

Because of the current depth and silt left behind from Hurricane Rita, larger ships have to either be redirected or relay cargo by barge, which becomes costly. Dredging the canal would allow more business into the port, business that usually passes by Houma.

“I think anyone living in Terrebonne Parish would say we must support Morganza but we must sustain our economy and prevent flooding. Both are important at the same time,” said Rabalais.

From the perspective of a port director, life must continue while preparing for the future. With sections of Morganza construction under way, Rabalais thought now would be an opportune time for the economic assessment.

“Morganza was dead in the water before the language was added. And with the system of checks and balances that is in place, the deepening just won’t happen before the lock. It takes so long to authorize, we really need to capitalize on ay opportunity that comes along,” said Rabalais.

He said moving forward with the economic study would better prepare the parish for the day authorization is needed, putting the parish one step ahead of the game.

The economic study will cost TEDA around $70,000. Ferdinand said the authority has already pledged $10,000 toward the analysis, a joint effort between the Louisiana Economic Development and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. About $25,000 has been set aside for the project and the authority is continuing its search for additional funding, he said.

The economic impact survey will not commence until funds are accrued, according to Ferdinand.

Andrea Carlson can be reached at andrea@tri-parishtimes.com.