Storm’s coming? Are you ready?
June 12, 2014Roll that 401(k) money
June 12, 2014By JOHN DeSANTIS
john@tri-parishtimes.com
With passage of a half-cent sales tax in 2012 by voters, the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District was free to begin design and construction of the elusive 98-mile Morganza-to-the-Gulf levee and floodgate system, with the region thus far unmolested by storms of any consequence since then.
Local officials – and voters – tired of waiting for the federal government, which continually moved the funding goalposts, and committed to building it themselves.
Levee District director Reggie Dupre noted that although the project was slated for approval, that was no guarantee money from Washington, D.C., would come anytime soon.
“In 2008, with Gustav and Ike, we had accumulated some local and state funding because we made it such a high priority,” Dupre said. “That is when the decision was started, that we are going to start building this thing on our own. It has proved to be the right decision.”
The project is a mosaic of levees and gates that will eventually gird Terrebonne Parish and protect homes and businesses from storm surge.
All levees are currently being built to a height of 12 feet but additional topping is expected at later dates.
Here are the components for which construction has already begun:
• REACH F: In Dulac, following the left descending bank of the Houma Navigational Canal
Budgeted: $20 million
Spent so far: $4.5 million
• REACH G: Houma Navigational Canal from the Bubba Dove Floodgate to Bayou Little Caillou, south of Lake Boudreaux.
Budgeted: $18 million.
Spent so far: $0
• BAYOU LITTLE CAILLOU FLOODGATE: Near storage tanks in Cocodrie, currently under construction.
Budgeted: $16 million.
Spent so far: $4 million.
• POINTE AUX CHENES CONNECTION PROJECT: Will close the existing levee to the Terrebonne Parish Reach J-1 Levee.
Budgeted: $2 million.
NEW PROJECTS
These are the components that will be included in the coming year’s budget which came before the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District Board this week.
• REACH E3 LEVEE: Along Falgout Canal Road
Budgeted $15 million.
• BAYOU FOUR POINT STRUCTURE
Budgeted at $750,000
• POINTE-AUX-CHENES FLOOD GATE At the end of La. 665, will include a ramp for the road.
Budgeted at $5 million.
• Structure FOR REACH E
Budgeted at $2 million.
