MONEY IN HAND TO PROTECT TO BEGIN BARGE PROJECT GIBSON, BAYOU BLACK

As state lawmakers continue the 2019 Joint Session, local lawmakers rejoiced recently because the money is in hand for a unique barge project that will reduce backwater flooding in Terrebonne. Lafourche and three other parishes.

Area officials are all smiles since Gov. John Bel Edwards’ announcement of a pledge of $80 million from the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRAX to build a permanent floodgate across Bayou Chene to reduce backwater flooding.

Edwards said the money has been earmarked from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act or GOMESA as it is commonly referred to. The GOMESA funds are revenue sharing provisions for the four gulf oil and gas producing states – Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama.

Plans call for a 250-foot wide floating barge gate with a braced sheet pole wall to be constructed on Avoca Island – just a few miles from Morgan City and on the property of Continental Land in Terrebonne Parish. The barge will extend outward 375 feet, in each direction.

State Sen Bret Allain, R-Ade-line. who represents parts of Terrebonne and Lafourche, said he is thrilled that the area will be getting the protection.

“After many years of proving this project’s worth and fighting for funding over two administrations, I am thrilled that our communities will be getting more permanent protection from seasonal flooding and the high-water threats that tropical systems bring.”

“When campaigning for the Senate in 2011. I knew that this project was going to be one I prioritized more than any other. However, early in 2012, a draft of the state’s master plan on coastal erosion and flood protection omitted Bayou Chene as a future project,” he said.

“But with the help of State Rep. Sam Janes. Parish President Gordon Dove who was a member of the CPRA Committee at the time, and other local leaders, we successfully got Bayou Chene into the master plan in 2011. a critical step in making the project eligible for funding,”

“Also, special thanks is owed Congressman Garret Graves who was the director of CPRA at the time we got the project into the master plan and Chip Kline who is the current director of CPRA,” Allain said.

AS far back as 1973. temporarily sinking’ a barge in the Bayou Chene channel has been the emergency method of flood control in times of high water in the Atchafalaya. Once flooding subsides, the temporary barge floodgate is removed to allow for normal drainage and boat traffic. In 2011. same of the rock and sheet pile was left in place to accommodate another temporary barge in anticipation of future flooding which was needed in 2016.

“We know this project is a good project, because we have seen it work twice now over the past decade to protect homes and businesses,” Allain said.

Last fell the, U.S. Army Corps of Engine era issued the necessary permits for the project.

Edwards said construction should begin by the end of the year.

In 2011, a temporary structure was placed in Bayou Chene to block flood waters from, impacting Northwest Terrebonne Parish. The barge was sunk in the wake of the corps opening the Morganza Spillway; to thwart a surge of Mississippi River water not seen since the Great Flood of 1927.

However, due to dry conditions inside the Atchafalaya Basin then, the impact of the water levels near Morgan City and Gibson weren’t as large as expected.

Yet, Reggie Dupre, Terrebonne Pariah Levee District Director, credited the barge for stopping over four feet of water from entering the area, in 2011.

Dove said news of the project is nothing but great. The Terrebonne Pariah President had previously served on the CPRA committee and was also Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee when he served in the Legislature.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced funding for a protection project locally.

COURTESY