NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers yesterday released a supplement to an environmental report that outlines the proposed modifications to project rights of way in New Orleans East. When complete, the levee, floodwall, ramp and floodgate projects in New Orleans East will reduce impacts from a storm surge event that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year.
From the northeast corner of New Orleans East (also known as Southpoint) to the CSX Railroad (LPV 109), proposed changes consist of expanding construction right of ways and constructing a temporary traffic control bridge on Interstate 10 across Irish Bayou, as well as temporarily closing road traffic along a portion of Highway 11. From the CSX Railroad crossing to the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Surge Barrier (LPV 111), proposed changes consist of expanding the construction right of way throughout the project area and possibly constructing T-wall in lieu of levee along a small portion of the reach.
“Individual Environmental Report Supplemental (IERS) #7 Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity, New Orleans East Lakefront to Michoud Canal, Orleans Parish, Louisiana,” is available for a 30-day public review and comment period. Written or verbal comments on IERS 7 must be submitted to the Corps by midnight on Friday, April 23, 2010. Comments received during the public review period will become part of the official record.
At the time of the completion of the IER #7 report, engineering details had not been finalized. Since then, engineering designs and cost analysis have been further developed and revised and the IER Supplemental addresses the potential impact to the natural or human environment as a result of these modifications.
Alternative arrangements allow the Corps to expedite the environmental process required of all federally-funded projects while fully complying with the intent of the National Environmental Policy Act. IER documents are available on www.nolaenvironmental.gov.
Questions or comments concerning the Corps’ environmental process may be addressed to:
Patricia Leroux
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267
Phone: 504-862-1544
Fax: 504-862-2088
E-mail: mvnenvironmental@usace.army.mil.
Comments may also be provided by visiting: www.nolaenvironmental.gov. For more information or to sign up to be on a meeting notification list please visit the following Web site: www.nolaenvironmental.gov.