For Immediate Release, Thursday, March 30, 2006
Contact:  Suzanne Parsons Stymiest @ 985-898-5243

Status Report
Levee Protection for St. Tammany Parish
 

            Parish President Kevin Davis and members of the Parish Engineering Department have held a series of meetings with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop the concept for levee protection for St. Tammany Parish. 

             “It was important that we meet with the Corps on this issue early in their conceptual design process,” said Davis.  “Any levee system for St. Tammany Parish must include moveable components at key locations.  Storm water must drain freely from St. Tammany except in the case of tidal surges.” 

            St. Tammany Parish shared existing watershed studies with the Corps of Engineers and discussed proposed routing of a levee system from Highway 90 to Interstate 59. 

“We need to work closely with the Corps to see that our key needs are addressed.  Levees without gating structures, such as are used in Europe, will not allow storm water to flow freely to the Gulf,” continued Davis.  “I am optimistic after our initial meetings and am waiting to see the Corps of Engineers’ conceptual plans.”

The conceptual plans are scheduled to be delivered to Congress this summer.  Federal agencies could take further action on a levee system as early as next fall.  Davis continues to work closely with Senators Vitter and Landrieu, and Congressman Jindal, in promoting this project.

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