Well I’ll be doggoned …
WASHINGTON — The federal government will strengthen New Orleans levees to withstand any future storm like the one that devastated the city more than three months ago, the top official for Gulf Coast reconstruction said Wednesday.
“They will be rebuilt stronger and better than they were before Katrina,” Donald Powell told USA TODAY. He said cost estimates and other details will be announced within days by federal officials.
While I have to agree with Nagin that seeing is believing, Powell gave some truly encouraging specifics:
Powell said the improvements will be designed to protect all neighborhoods that currently are within levees. “The footprint will be the same as now exists,” he said. In some places, it will include “armoring” over earthen surfaces to withstand erosion, he said. The federal government will bear the cost, he said. State officials have said it will cost $32 billion to bolster the levees.
Read the whole story here: Stronger levees in Louisiana promised, and
WaPo’s more detailed article here: Feds to Rebuild New Orleans Levees
You’ve got a good sense of humor. I enjoyed reading several of your posts.
I heard the announcement from the Bush Administration on TV earlier today. They are backing a $1.5 billion plan put together by Senator Vitter and Governor Blanco.
The plan is to do three things:
1. Armor the back side of levees to protect from erosion.
2. Close off the three outfall canals at the lake.
3. Improve pumping capacity.
When asked about Cat 5, they dodged the question. While this plan helps fix some of the problems with the existing system, it does not give us the protection we need.
Keep up the good work!
Tim –
Without the wetlands restoration and some key gates (butterflys?), it won’t be Cat 5, that’s true. BUT – what has been described would have handled Katrina.
The most encouraging thing about what Powell said today is actually that he said it at all. It was quite a step forward from prior silence and non-commitals.
Ultimately, some of the Cat 5 protection is likely to come back to Louisiana for reality – not least the wetlands restoration. I gather that a lot of damage to the marshlands came via the drilling (etc.) from oil and gas industry, much of which occurred on (probably) land leased from the State.
Louisiana can – and should – require leased properties to be remediated as part of the business leases. (same holds true for any leases, actually). Furthermore, the state itself can legislate this type of correction.
I see (via your profile) that you’re a Civil Engineer… and you’ve probably seen that I am not. So I’m happy to hear from you – feel free to drive me back onto the road if I miss it, technically. lol…