NEW ORLEANS, LA – The US Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, is proposing additional improvements be made to a portion of the West Bank & Vicinity and Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) levees, between English Tu rn and Oakville, LA. Construction of Resilient Features would raise earthen levees and construct floodwalls to improve their resiliency and longevity of the system while improving ease of maintenance for the local sponsor.
"Among the proposed improvements to the co-located Mississippi River Levees is construction of approximately four miles of new concrete floodwalls and six and a half miles of earthen levees that would have milder side slopes that what currently exists," said Julie LeBlanc, senior project manager.
The Corps is hosting a public meeting to discuss the content of IER 33.a Supplemental including:
* The purpose and need of a proposal to improve the resiliency of the co-located West Bank & Vicinity / Mississippi River Levees in Orleans and Plaquemines parishes. The project area includes levees that run the length of the Mississippi River from River Mile 85.5, near English Turn, to River Mile 70, near Oakville, LA.
* The proposed methods and impacts associated with construction of new risk reduction features in the Belle Chasse hydrologic sub-basin.
* The development of an agreement in coordination with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer and other interested parties to fulfill obligations for the identification, evaluation and protection of historic properties located within the project area.
Public meeting details are:
When: Monday, Dec. 12, 2011
Informational Open House to view project details 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a discussion
Where: Belle Chasse Auditorium
8398 Highway 23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037
The proposed improvements are described in an environmental document which discusses the impacts that would be generated by construction. Individual Environmental Report 33.a Supplemental may be downloaded for review on mvnenvironmental@usace.army.milor by calling 504-862-1544. Comments must be received by Dec. 29, 2011.
The Mississippi River levee system was designed to protect against a high water river event, not hurricane storm surge. However, to reduce the risk from storm surge events, the Corps is proposing additional improvements that will increase levee heights and provide features that can be more easily maintained by the local sponsors.
Questions or comments concerning the hurricane system should be addressed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
c/o Public Affairs
PO Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267
Phone: 504-862-2201
Fax: 504-862-1724
E-mail: AskTheCorps@usace.army.mil