New Orleans, LA - The Corps is hosting two public scoping meetings on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 to evaluate options for improving the New Orleans to Venice Hurricane Protection Project levees in Plaquemines Parish.
“The Corps has Congressional authority to complete additional work on the New Orleans to Venice Hurricane Project,” said Julie LeBlanc, senior project manager. “The current levees run on the east bank of Plaquemines Parish from Phoenix to Bohemia, and on the west bank from St. Jude to Venice.”
These meetings will help guide the design and construction of the levees that would improve the Federal levee system. The potential improvements are being evaluated by the Corps in cooperation with the Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration.
One of the first steps the Corps takes in this type of evaluation is to determine the requirements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. For New Orleans to Venice, a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) will be
required which includes a scoping process to receive input from the public. During the scoping process the government works with other federal and state agencies and citizens to identify what types of issues should be addressed in the SEIS.
An integral part of the scoping process is a meeting at which the public may give examples of what they suggest be included in the draft SEIS. Scoping helps the team identify project challenges and local interests early so they can be evaluated in the environmental document.
The Corps is providing two opportunities for Plaquemines Parish residents to offer suggestions on what should be included in the study that will identify ways to improve the current Federal levee system. Meeting details are:
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
Woodland Plantation
21997 Hwy 23
West Point a La Hache, LA
Open House 9:00 am to 9:30 a.m.
Presentation and discussion 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
Boothville-Venice Elementary School
#1 Oiler Dr.
Boothville, LA
Open House 3:00 pm to 3:30 p.m.
Presentation and discussion 3:30 p.m.
The public will be asked to provide comments regarding important environmental issues, resources and impacts that should be considered during the study, as well as other study alternatives or modifications that should be considered.
Questions or comments concerning benefits and impacts should be addressed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
c/o Gib Owen
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267
Phone: 504-862-1337
Fax: 504-862-2088
E-mail: MVNenvironmental@usace.army.mil.
For more information or to sign up to be on a meeting notification list please visit the following Web site: www.nolaenvironmental.gov or www.mvn.usace.army.mil.