Corps to host public meeting in Ascension Parish to provide update and receive public comment on the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain study

Published Sept. 25, 2013

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District will host a public meeting in Ascension Parish on Wednesday, October 2nd to provide the public with an update on the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain (WSLP) Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction Study, and provide the public with a venue to submit comments on the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement, which is currently available for a 45-day public comment period.

Public Meeting Details

When:  October 2, 2013
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Open house and opportunity to provide one-on-one comments to a certified court reporter
6:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Brief presentation outlining the project and planning process
7:00 to 8:30 p.m. – Acceptance of public comments

Where: Lamar Dixon Expo Center
9039 St. Landry Rd
Gonzales, LA 70737

Based on current analysis, Alternative C is the Draft Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) for reducing risk under the WSLP feasibility study. This alternative includes a levee from the Bonnet Carré Spillway to Hope Canal to the Mississippi River and non-structural risk reduction measures in St. James Parish. The alternative would avoid some oil and gas pipelines and would include non-structural features, such as elevating homes and commercial buildings that are outside of the proposed levee.

Before Alternative C can be confirmed as the alternative that is in the best interest of the federal government, the Corps must fully review and evaluate all comments received during a public comment period as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

“Public comments are a critical part of the plan selection process,” said Jeff Varisco, project manager for the Corps. “We need to ensure that the Tentatively Selected Plan was identified using the best information available.”

Community members and stakeholders are invited to comment on the WSLP Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement at the October 2nd public meeting.  Public meetings have already been held in St. James and St. John the Baptist Parish.

In addition to comments received during the public meetings, the Corps will accept written comments between August 23, 2013 and October 7, 2013.

Comments on the integrated report should be directed to:
William Klein
Regional Planning and Environment Division - South
New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, Louisiana 70160-0267

Comments may also be sent to WSLPAdmin@usace.army.mil

The report is available online at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District website - WSLP Project page: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/WestShoreLakePontchartrain.aspx


Contact
Rene Poche
504-862-1767
rene.g.poche@usace.army.mil
or
After Hours:
504-756-2811

Release no. 13-056