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It is often called the fifth line of defense in terms of the overall Morganza-to-the-Gulf storm surge reduction project. For those living in residential areas of Terrebonne Parish, it is considered the first line because it is closest to their homes and businesses.
The federal government continues to stall rather than invest its share into the $886 million levee system plan. The Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District is faced with asking taxpayers for an additional $120 million to complete gaps remaining in a $336 million inner-levee ring.
Yet, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government leaders reclaimed funds for local residents by making use of $115 million in Community Development Block Grants to build levees around select residential areas, replace outdated pump stations and elevate structures in flood-prone areas.
“[Terrebonne Parish] has been the most aggressive local government probably in the country for complying with Federal Emergency Management Agency flood elevation and non-structural improvements,” Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District Executive Director Reggie Dupre said. “You add those factors with what we are doing and you can see why Terrebonne Parish has become the poster child for a multiple line of defense strategy.”
“The parish has been aggressively implementing the recovery plan that was developed following hurricanes Gustav and Ike,” Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Manager Al Levron said. “With the receipt of CDBG funds, it has allowed us to advance this program more than we would have otherwise.”
The Louisiana Legislature approved the Gustav/Ike recovery plan on June 14, 2009, nine months after Gustav directly hit Terrebonne.
The plan allowed the parish to apply for up to $133 million in CDBG funds. With what it has received, $73 million has been awarded for levee construction around individual communities, $17 million for drainage and sewer system development and $25 million in housing initiatives. The parish also applied for a $21.8 million hazard mitigation grant.
Under TPCG direction, five pump stations, eight levees and four drainage projects have been addressed with $80 million returned from public tax programs.
Following the rebuilding of barrier islands, lining for shorelines, exterior and interior levee and floodgate projects, the CDBG-funded defense line is slated to be complete before some larger levels begin.
“The parish levees are stronger than they have ever been before,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said. “But without the other Morganza levees, they are nothing.”
While the region has avoided the impact of a major storm for three years, the system proved a benefit when many residents that would have normally flooded during normal weather events, were spared from flooding during the release of spring waters from the Morganza spillway in May 2011.
“We’ve got some complete,” Levron said of the beefed up parish levees. “But a number of projects are in various stages of permitting and design. Right now we’ve got about $80 million to implement projects. We’re ready for the rest.”
