St. Tammany Parish is one step closer to securing almost $6 billion for its flood risk management project.
The project was authorized under the 2024 Water Resources Development Act.
Parish President Mike Cooper says this is the largest single investment in flood risk reduction in Louisiana history.
Cooper says in terms of the structural solution, “This includes along the low-lying areas, particularly in east St. Tammany (Parish) around Slidell, 15 miles of earthen levee and a 3.5-mile-long flood wall.”
As for the non-structural solution, “It would provide funding for raising more than 6,000 homes in low-lying areas along the rivers, along bayous and along Lake Pontchartrain,” says Cooper.
“Homes would be elevated, or businesses would be (dry floodproofed).”
Cooper says it’s a large investment, but it is greatly needed.
“This is the last part of Lake Pontchartrain that has no protection,” Cooper notes, “and certainly, it’s going to be a big relief to us.”
The St. Tammany Levee, Drainage and Conservation District will discuss the projects in a meeting this Wednesday evening.
Comments