For Immediate Release, Friday, March 3, 2006
 

CONTRACTS SIGNED FOR DRAINAGE WAY CLEANUP
 

            Parish President Kevin Davis today entered into a contract with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to begin debris removal in a number of drainage ways.

            The Parish Government will pay one-fourth of the $5.2 million contract, or about $1.3 million. NRCS will request bids for the efforts early next week, and work should begin around April 1. The contract was executed under the State of Emergency, which allows local governments rapid access to rights-of-way to reach clogged drainage ways.

            Included in this initial contract are plans to clean portions of Ponchitalawa Creek, Black River, Fox Branch, Bayou Monga, Morgan Branch, Cypress Bayou, Bayou Lacombe, Bayou Chinchuba and the Abita River.

            As early as next week, Davis will enter a similar contract for cleanup of Bayou Liberty, Bayou Vincent and additional portions of Bayou Lacombe.

            The Parish will seek reimbursement for its 25-percent match through Community Development Block Grants once that system is in place.

            “One of our greatest concerns is the large volume of debris in drainage ways,” Davis said. “These blockages create a very real threat of flooding not only during hurricane season but after any severe weather. Whether we are successful in recouping these dollars through CDBG funds or not, these undertakings are necessary to advance Katrina recovery and protect lives and property from additional flooding.”

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