June 2009, Davis Message - From the Parish Website www.stpgov.org
Gates at the Rigolets
I met with our team at the parish at the end of last week to discuss the June 16th presentation by the Army Corps of Engineers to you about hurricane protection in Lake Pontchartrain.
We have all waited eagerly for this plan and share your frustrations. The reactions of staff closely mirrored the reaction of the majority of citizens attending the meeting. We all recognize, however, that this is the first step and that we must push forward.
Of the plans presented to Congress, the parish continues to feel that LP-a-100-1 is the best at this time. Leaving our homes is not an option, as was presented in four of the six proposals.
It is incomprehensible to me that four of the six Corps hurricane protection plans involved buying out and moving St. Tammany Parish residents. Some plans suggested buying out homes from Kingspoint and Rigolets Estates, through Lacombe, across the Mandeville Harbor and into Madisonville.
We have rebuilt almost all of the over 48,792 homes Katrina damaged. We have followed federal regulations to the best of our ability. We have stood as a community and worked together to help ourselves and to help our neighbors.
Leaving our homes is not an acceptable option from our federal government.
The fifth proposal, restoring wetlands, is necessary and that option must be included with other, structural steps. This proposal will not protect us.
Of the six options available, this leaves building a weir/gate system across the Rigolets and Chef Pass as the best current alternative not only for St. Tammany Parish, but for every parish that borders Lake Pontchartrain.
I hope to visit or speak with every member of our federal delegation within the week. I will again be going to Washington DC to speak with the leaders of the Army Corps of Engineers. With information from these officials, we will begin our action plan for hurricane protection.
Please join this effort by visiting our new page www.stpgov.org/stormprotection and join the Action Team.
Kevin
Road Open; No Gates to Close
Wednesday, June 17th
Let's start with the good news: We opened a new road this morning. Falconer Drive is now open all the way from Harrison Avenue to Crestwood Drive. This should mean reduced traffic on both Harrison and Highway 190 around the shopping area. It will be easier to commute through the area and easier to reach shopping.
Now, the frustrating news: About 1,000 residents attended the Army Corps of Engineering Hurricane Protection meeting last night at the Northshore Harbor Center, hoping for an announcement of action regarding hurricane protection for the north shore. Unfortunately, the Corps process is not that far along, and most of the discussion centered around process.
The Corps submitted six plans to Congress for their consideration. Four of the six plans include the buy out of some homes and businesses. One restores marshlands only. The remaining plan, LP-a-100-1, builds a weir/gate system across the Rigolets and Chef Pass and a levee system to Interstate 59.
Of the six plans submitted, the Parish Council and I believe that this plan, LP-a-100-1, is the best to protect all of St. Tammany Parish.
My team is meeting tomorrow to debrief after the Corps meeting. I will be back with you after that meeting with more information.
We are in process of creating a new webpage for our website, www.stpgov.org, that will gather information on the Corps & Congressional process in one location for you.
Kevin
Hurricane Protection
On Tuesday, June 16th, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a meeting for St. Tammany residents at the Northshore Harbor Center. There will be an open house at 6:00 PM and a presentation at 7:00 PM.
The purpose of the meeting is two fold. First, the Corps will explain the south shore hurricane protection projects and how they will affect the north shore. Second, the Corps will review the hurricane protection proposals that they have submitted to Congress.
This is a very important meeting for all of St. Tammany Parish. The actions of the Corps of Engineers will impact our future safety from storms. This, of course, is the most important consideration.
There are, however, a number of secondary implications. From economic development to home values and the price of insurance, everyone in our parish will be affected.
For long term protection, six plans were sent to Congress. Click here to open a .pdf file showing the different plans. St. Tammany Parish government is supporting the plan labeled LP-a-100-1. This plan builds a weir across the Rigolets and a levee on a portion of the Pearl River.
It will provide protection for every parish that borders Lake Pontchartrain.
If we are to succeed in having this plan authorized and funded through Congress, we will have to undertake a long-term grass roots effort. The voice of every citizen will need to be heard.
Please join me on Tuesday, June 16th. We need to hear the Corps report together.
Northshore Harbor Center
100 Harbor Center Blvd.
Slidell, LA 70461
Open house at 6 p.m.
Presentation and discussion at 7 p.m.
See you there,
Kevin