Corps to hold public meeting to discuss re-burial of remains disinterred from Bonnet Carré Spillway’s historic cemeteries

Published Feb. 6, 2012

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District will host a public meeting on February 8, 2012, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, to provide community members the opportunity to comment on long-term management of the Kenner and Kugler Cemeteries Archeological District, which is located within the Bonnet Carré Spillway project site in St. Charles Parish.

"The 1975 operation of the Bonnet Carré Spillway inadvertently disinterred remains from the Kenner and Kugler cemeteries," said Chris Brantley, Bonnet Carré Spillway project manager. "This public meeting will provide community members the opportunity to comment on the proposed plans to preserve and interpret these historic properties as well as re-bury the disturbed remains."

The Feb. 8 public meeting is a venue for open communication between the Corps and key stakeholders, including the descendants of those buried in the cemeteries. The Kenner and Kugler Cemeteries Archeological District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The cemeteries were established prior to the Civil War as burial places for enslaved people of African de scent from surrounding plantations. Documentation shows that African-American Civil War veterans of the Union Army are buried in the cemetery. The cemeteries were in use until 1928.

Long-term management of the cemeteries includes re-burial of the remains disturbed during the 1985 Bonnet Carré Spillway opening. The actions described in the plan of the cemeteries constitute an undertaking that will be the subject of Section 106/110 consultation between the Corps and the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer.

Public meeting details are:

When: Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Informational Open House to view project details 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.

*Note – please notice new public meeting location

Where: St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Borromeo Room

13396 River Road; Destrehan, LA 70047

Questions or comments 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: BonnetCarre@usace.army.mil

For more information on the Corps’ projects, visit www.mvn.usace.army.mil.

Contact
Rachel Rodi
504-862-2687
rachel.rodi@usace.army.mil
or
After Hours:
504-756-2811

Release no. 12-076