Levee official part of dam delegation to Netherlands

Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District Executive Director Reggie Dupre is out of the office this week and part of a 40-person Louisiana delegation to the Netherlands, looking into flood protection issues.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is leading the group as Smart Growth advocate. This is her third such trip and part of a learning session for flood control. Dupre has been a delegate on each of the excursions.

The week’s activities include looking into climate change and sea level adaptation, multifunctional environmental restoration, development and water management, and improved flood protection.

“What we are learning is that we have a lot in common with the Dutch,” Dupre said as he prepared for his trip. “As a matter of fact, Louisiana probably has more in common with the Netherlands in having to live with water than the rest of the United States.”

Dupre said that the south Louisiana’s delta is a lot like the Netherlands’ geography. “They’ve been dealing with flooding problems for hundreds of years. They have a lot to offer [including] one of the world’s largest flood gates,” he said.