St. James participates in flood control study by Corps of Engineers

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 25, 1999

By WALTER SMITH / L’Observateur / April 25, 1999

VACHERIE – Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made apresentation to the St. James Parish Council Wednesday, explaining aprogram called “Donaldsonville, LA to the Gulf of Mexico.”The study, expected to take several years, will develop plans to prevent flooding in currently troubled areas. The program covers an area west ofthe Mississippi River and east of Bayou Lafourche and runs from Donaldsonville to the Gulf of Mexico. It includes mostly wetland andagricultural lands with numerous communities located next to major highways. This area is subject to rainfall, tidal and hurricane floodingthat results in structural, agricultural and environmental damages.

Included are parts of eight parishes, including St. James, St. John and St.Charles.

Program study manager Howard Gonzales Jr., explained that they arecurrently in the “Reconnaissance Phase” of the study, expected to take 18 months to complete and being funded by the federal government.

“Our next step will be a feasibility phase,” explained Gonzales. “This iswhere we select a recommended plan based on evaluation of economic, environmental and other effects of our planning.”He explained that 50 percent of funding for the feasibility phase will be from “non-federal” sources.

Next will come the Construction Phase, where the Corps will build whatever levees or other structures the study determines will attack the problem and protect the area from future flooding. Finally will come theoperation and maintenance phase. Once the project is constructed, the costof maintenance and operation will fall solely on those communities that are involved.

The entire project will likely take eight or more years to complete.

Councilman Oliver Cooper questioned the estimates that the feasibility studies alone will take three years to complete. Gonzales indicated thatthis was a normal time frame for the Corps.

Cooper also asked for reassurance that this effort is not duplicating similar studies under way by other groups.

“There are some groups who are studying this problem in an area from Donaldsonville to Highway 90,” said Gonzales. “Our study covers the entirearea to the Gulf, but we will be coordinating with all groups and sharing data.”Parish President Dale Hymel endorsed the project. “I think that this isdefinitely something we should be involved in,” he said.

In another matter, the Parish Council accepted the resignation of Earl White, director of Human Resources for St. James Parish.”I have been to Earl’s home,” said Hymel. “After 39 years of public service,his walls are covered with plaques and awards. However, there was onespot left open, and we want to give this certificate of appreciation to Mr.

White for his many years of service to St. James. Now the last spot isfilled.”White, who has been the director of human resources for the past seven years, received high praise from each councilman.

Long-time assistant Diane Brathwaite will replace him.

In other business, the Council: Proclaimed April 18-24 as Business and Industry Appreciation Week in St. James Parish. “We need to offer our thanks and appreciation to thesmall businesses and large industries alike who provide tax dollars and jobs to our community,” said Hymel.

Proclaimed the month of May as older Americans Month in St. James.During May, the parish will focus public attention on the needs and challenges to a growing and important segment of the population.

Proclaimed May 4-10 as Public Service Recognition week in St. James.”While we are recognizing our businesses and seniors, let’s recognize our public employees who keep the parish running,” said Hymel.

Authorized the parish president to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Louisiana Municipal Gas Authority for long-term gas purchases and LMGA Prepayment Financing.

“We will cooperate with 56 other authorities to pre-purchase gas for a ten year period,” explained Hymel. “This will bring a huge savings to the St.James Parish.”

Return To News Stories