Donald Powell today announced on March 28, 2006 that levee repairs in the New
Orleans
area would not cost just $3.1 billion as previously expected but would
cost
an additional $6 billion to provide protection against a 100 year
storm.
Sounds like the Corps is finally waking up to the extent of the
problem. Now they understand the levees aspect of the surge protection issue. They haven't
yet recognized the role of coastal restoration.
Funding is not currently authorized. Our
congressional
delegation snapped to attention and asked for the President's help getting
Congressional approval for the money. Jindal and Blanco took the
opportunity to lobby for OCS money.
Furthermore he announced that USACE certification of the levees would
be necessary
before the FEMA floodmaps could be released. This looks like a new hoop
to jump through. Ray Nagin complains that the feds are just throwing
roadblock after roadblock in the way of progress. The new
certification requirement explains why FEMA is
delaying the maps until summer. Without the additional levees, or at
least commitment to build the levees, FEMA
might drastically increase the requirements for flood insurance.
What is this all about? Could it be reaction to the tension crack
disclosure and ASCE criticism or is it just layers of contracting?
Did someone in DHS get all exercised and say by God we're going to get this right!
I still have a few important questions. Does it include the pumping
stations at the mouths of the three Orleans
drainage canals-no, that was previously requested, just not yet
approved? Does it address the short term recommendations of the
BNOB levee infrastructure team - somewhat, bu the Industrial canal dam
must not be included unless it it part of the NO East protection? Does
it deal with temporary pumping and
ponding needed to prevent rainwater flooding that Jefferson parish has
been so worried about - probably not since Old Metarie is considered
satisfied? How about those safe houses? Does it close MRGO - maybe?
Does it envision the storm gates at the Rigolettes - almost certainly
not since thats a Cat5 item.
The breakdown of the recommendations making up this $6 billion provide some clues:
- Old Metairie and New Orleans - $0, these are already requested
- East New Orleans would cost $710 million.
- St.Bernard-Lower 9th Ward - $1 Billion.
- East Jefferson-St. Charles -$386 Million
- West Jefferson - $657 Million
- Algiers- Belle Chase - $129 Million
- Belle Chasse & Algiers Lower Coast - $161 million
- That would cover 99 percent of the population. However, if you
add in
Plaquemines Parish, the cost doubles with another $2.9 billion with
$1.7 billion of that for river levees far south of the populated areas.
Most importantly does spending this much money begin restore the
wetlands by authorizing some big freshwater diversion projects?
Donaldsonville? The answer to that appears to be a resounding NO.
If you don't approve the Plaquemines portion and instead use some of
that money to remove Mississippi River levees in that area and just use
levees to protect populated areas like Venice you could start
rebuilding the swamp. Sen Mary Landrieu initially voiced opposition to
any plan that would abandon any part of Louisiana to nature.
Is anybody looking at the big picture? From what I can tell the Corps
has been spending big money repairing the river levee in lower
Plaquemines Parish. Don't the coastal repair experts say those levees
need to be removed? And adding another $3 billion seems like lunacy unless it is for wetlands restoration.
There are just so many layers to this thing. It is unbelievable!