Focus on - Plaquemines Parish Government

Plaquemines
Focus on
RESTORE • PROTECT • PRESERVE
June 12, 2014 • No. 13
PRESIDENT’S NOTE
St. Bernard
LAKE HERMITAGE
MARSH CREATION
Point a
la Hache
PLAQUEMINES
PARISH
M
iss
Ri issi
ve pp
r i
GRAND LIARD
MARSH AND
RIDGE
RESTORATION
Port
Sulphur
Plaquemines Parish President
Billy Nungesser
The creation of the CWPRRA
program marked the first time
the federal government provided
dedicated resources to address our
coastal crisis. Grand Liard, Lake
Hermitage, and Pelican Island are
just a few examples of CWPRRA’s
impact within Plaquemines since its
authorization in the 1990s. In this
issue, we’ll provide you a history of the
program and status to date, detailing
how CWPPRA has helped contribute
to the restoration and protection of
our Parish.
While June marks the start of
summer – filled with summer camp,
baseball, and family vacation – it also
marks the start of hurricane season.
We all need to prepare and plan to
make sure that our loved ones, homes,
and businesses will be safe. Please
take time to ensure that you are ready
in the event a storm heads our way.
While we all pray that this season
does not bring us harm, we must
remain vigilant.
Please enjoy this edition updating
you on the latest events affecting the
future of flood protection and coastal
restoration in our Parish.
Thank you,
Billy
Jefferson
Lafourche
Buras
Grande
Isle
Venice
BARATARIA BARRIER ISLAND COMPLEX
PROJECT: PELICAN ISLAND AND PASS LA
MER TO CHALAND PASS RESTORATION
Gulf of Mexico
RIVERINE SAND
MINING/ SCOFIELD
ISLAND RESTORATION
CWPPRA Task Force dedicates
southeast Louisiana coastal projects
On April 30, 2014, the Coastal Wetlands
Planning Protection and Restoration Act
(CWPPRA) Task Force held a dedication
ceremony at ConocoPhillips in Houma, Louisiana. The ceremony celebrated CWPPRA’s
continued commitment to coastal restoration. During the event, people gathered to
meet wetland engineers, scientists, government officials and policymakers who have
worked together to complete 101 Louisiana
projects over the last 23 years.
Plaquemines Parish projects dedicated
during the ceremony include the Barataria Plaquemines Barrier Island Complex
Project: Pelican Island and Pass La Mer to
Chaland Pass Restoration, Riverine Sand
Mining/Scofield Island Restoration, Lake
Hermitage Marsh Creation, and Grand Liard
Marsh and Ridge Restoration.
“We want to thank all the people involved
in moving these coastal restoration projects
forward. This team has done a great job
in order to ensure protection for coastal
Louisiana is a top priority,” said Plaquemines
Parish President Billy Nungesser.
The dedication ceremony was led by Terrebonne Parish President, Michel Claudet,
as the master of ceremonies and several
speakers gave remarks including Colonel
Richard Hansen, the Commander and District Engineer from the United States Army
Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District.
Other speakers included members of the
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Habitat and Conservation, NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA
Story continues on Page 2
Page 2 • June 12, 2014
FOCUS ON PLAQUEMINES
Four projects were dedicated for Plaquemines Parish
Continued from Page 1
Natural Resources Conservation Service, the
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and Ducks Unlimited.
Plaquemines Parish works in collaboration with CWPPRA to ensure that coastal
projects in the Parish are successful. This
strong working relationship ensures that
coastal restoration and protection in the
Parish continues to move forward.
Dedicated Projects in Plaquemines
The CWPPRA program has funded a flurry of construction in Plaquemines Parish in
recent years. Several important barrier island
restoration, ridge restoration, and marsh creation projects in the Parish were dedicated at
the April 30th ceremony.
Barataria Barrier Island Complex Project:
Pelican Island and Pass La Mer to Chaland
Pass Restoration
The restoration of the Chaland Headland
and Pelican Island, about 5.5 miles combined, bolstered both the width and height
of these barrier islands by creating additional
dune, swale, and intertidal marsh habitat.
These projects benefit 334 acres in total at a
cost of $77.2 million.
Riverine Sand Mining/Scofield Island
Restoration
The restoration of Scofield Island involved
repairing breaches and tidal inlets, reinforcing the shoreline with sand and increasing
the island width with back barrier marsh
creation to improve the island’s sustainability. Sediment for the construction of the
project was pumped from a borrow source
in the Mississippi River near Empire. The
project benefits 234 acres in total at a cost of
$2.93 million.
Lake Hermitage Marsh Creation
Located south and west of West Pointe a
la Hache, this project involves the creation
of wetlands, reduction of tidal exchange in
the marshes surrounding Lake Hermitage,
and the promotion of submerged aquatic
vegetation. The project benefits 447 acres at a
total cost of $38.3 million.
Grand Liard Marsh and Ridge Restoration
This project, located near Triumph, is intended to restore the natural flow and habitat
function of Grand Liard Bayou and adjacent
marshes. This is done by the creation and
nourishment of marsh and the restoration of
the ridge on the east bank of the bayou. The
Parish President Billy Nungesser talks with Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet
who hosted the CWPPRA Task Force dedication ceremony.
sediment for the project is largely borrowed
from the bayou itself. The project is still under construction and will benefit 370 acres at
a total cost of $42.5 million.
CWPPRA Background
The Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection
and Restoration Act (CWPPRA, pronounced
kwip-ruh) provides funding for Louisiana’s
coastal restoration. CWPPRA is federal legislation that is designed to identify, prepare,
and fund construction of coastal wetlands
restoration projects. Since its inception, 151
coastal restoration or protection projects
have been authorized, benefiting over
112,000 acres in Louisiana.
CWPPRA was led by former U.S. Senators
John Breaux and J. Bennett Johnston. The
legislation (Public Law 101-646, Title III
CWPPRA), sometimes called the Breaux
Act, was signed into law by former President
George H. W. Bush in 1990. CWPPRA represents a collaborative effort, and is managed
by a Task Force comprised of the State of
Louisiana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, and the National
Marine Fisheries Service.
The success of the CWPPRA program has
been essential in providing critical ecosys-
tem stabilization along Louisiana’s coast
and has provided pioneering solutions for
land loss. In addition to the physical land
gains made by CWPPRA, this interagency organization has been instrumental in
educating the public about Louisiana’s land
loss and in fostering public participation in
coastal restoration activities. CWPPRA has
also provided solid science and background
information that helped in the identification
and selection of Louisiana Coastal Area
Feasibility Study Plan (LCA), Coastal Impact
Assistance Program (CIAP), State of Louisiana (CPRA), and Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) projects.
This legislation is authorized through
2019 and administered through the Sport
Fish Restoration and Boating Safety Trust
Fund. The Trust Fund is currently being
sustained by Congressional continuing
resolution. Current CWPPRA funding for
new construction projects will likely only
last for an additional two to three years,
unless CWPPRA is reauthorized beyond
2019. The remainder of the current funding
would be used to complete CWPPRA’s 20year commitment for project operations and
maintenance. Without renewal of the Trust
Fund, the nature of CWPPRA’s future work
is in question.
FOCUS ON PLAQUEMINES
June 12, 2014 • Page 3
COASTAL RESTORATION
Buras Marina shoreline protection is on track
The project employs a unique combination of living shoreline technologies. An
earthen berm constructed at the edge of
the marsh is stabilized in part by two new
innovative products: EcoMatrix™ (a marine
mattress made of recycled plastics) and
SHORE|LINKS™ (lightweight aggregate
filled bags). The rest of the berm is held in
place by vegetative plantings. Marsh in the
interior of the marina is protected by oyster
breaks which are artificial reef blocks made of
concrete.
The total cost of the project is $2.4 million
and is funded through both the Coastal
Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) and
Plaquemines Parish.
Missi
ssipp
i Rive
r
Hwy. 1
1
LA. 23
Buras
Oysterbreak
units
Co
zez
uD
r.
Construction of the Buras Shoreline Protection Project to protect the marsh in and
around the Buras (Joshua’s) Marina is underway. The marsh in the project area is subject
to high wave energy during storm events and
has experienced significant land loss due to
erosion. When complete the project will protect almost 1.5 miles (7,800 feet) of shoreline.
BURAS
MARINA
Earthen
berm
BURAS SHORELINE
PROTECTION PROJECT
PROJECT FACTS
PLAQUEMINES
PARISH
Type of project: Shoreline
protection
Shoreline protected: 1.5 miles
Estimated cost: $2.4 million
Status: Under construction
0
1/4
MILES
Earthen
berm
FLOOD RISK REDUCTION
Contract awarded for new Augusta to Oakville levee
Augusta
Hw
y.
11
1/4
Wal
ker
Rd.
PLAQUEMINES
PARISH
CONTRACT
WBV-MRL
1.2B: New
levee
LA.
23
MILES
Mis
sis
Riv sippi
er
0
Oakville
PROJECT
FACTS
Type of project: Resilient
features, Mississippi River levee
Value: Estimated $7,954,440
Status: Contract awarded March
14, 2014
As part of an effort to return the
Mississippi River levees to new design
grade standards, the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers has awarded a $7.9 million
contract to Tikigaq Construction, LLC,
for construction of the West Bank & Vicinity, Mississippi River Levee, Resilient
Features, Augusta to Oakville (B), WBVMRL 1.2B, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, all-earthen levee project. This Reach
1.2B contract, will consist of 5,000 linear
feet of levee. It begins just downstream of
the Chevron Oronite Plant, at river mile
72, and then continues downriver to the
Oakville community, ending approximately a quarter mile downstream of
river mile 71. The reach then joins the
WBV-MRL 1.2A Floodwall project.
The levee will have a 10-foot crown
width and gentler side slopes to replace
the current levee side slopes which are
too steep to remain in place. The finished
levee crown will be surfaced with a
geotextile fabric and crushed limestone
on top. The newly constructed levee will
have a final top elevation of 21.5 feet. For
the entire length of the contract reach,
approximately 3 acres of new permanent
levee right of way is required on the
protected side of the existing levee. This
new 15-foot-wide right-of-way serves
as a vegetation-free corridor wherein no
large vegetative overgrowth aside from
mowed grass will be allowed.
The work consists of clearing and removing trees, demolition and removal of
existing levee crown gravel or concrete,
relocation of existing levee access ramps,
demolition and removal of existing
concrete slope pavement, lowering the
existing levee, placement of compacted
levee dirt fill to new design elevation,
gravel surfacing of the levee crown and
access ramps, fertilizing, seeding and
mulching, maintenance of access roads,
and other incidental work.
The WBV-MRL 1.2B project is one of
six contracts to be awarded as a part of
WBV-MRL Resilient Features projects.
FOCUS ON PLAQUEMINES
Page 4 • June 12, 2014
EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
• Water for drinking and sanitation
(minimum one gallon per person
per day for at least three days)
• Food (three day supply)
• Battery-powered or hand crank
radio and NOAA Weather Radio
with tone alert
• Extra batteries
• Flashlights
• First Aid Kit with insect repellant
• Whistle or noisemaker to signal
for help
• Dust masks
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
(for shelter-in-place)
• Wrench or pliers to turn off
utilities
• Can opener
• Local maps
• Refill prescriptions prior to storm
• Eyeglasses
• Pet food and extra water
• Important documents (insurance
papers, ID, bank account info) all
in portable, waterproof container
• Cash or traveler’s checks and
change
• Sleeping bag or bedding materials
• Change of clothing (for several
days for each person)
• Change of shoes
• Chlorine bleach and medicine dropper (For disinfectant,
dilute nine parts water to one
part bleach.To treat water, use
16 drops of regular household
liquid bleach per gallon of water.
Never use scented, color-safe or
bleaches with added cleaners).
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in waterproof container
• Personal hygiene items
• Mess kits (paper plates, cups
and utensils)
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games and puzzles for
children
Be prepared for hurricane season
After the devastation of Hurricane Isaac in
2012, the 2013 hurricane season saw no major storms affect Plaquemines Parish. In 2014,
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts a
near-normal or below-normal Atlantic hurricane
season with 8-13 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes
and 1-2 major hurricanes.
Levee Improvements
Construction of the Metro New Orleans 100year risk reduction system, which includes Belle
Chasse, is nearing completion with the 100-year
level of protection already in place. 26 projects in
Plaquemines are in design which will raise both
federal and non-federal levees. Of these, construction is under way for nine projects. Construction
is also underway for six West Bank river levees.
The majority of construction is scheduled to be
completed in 2017.
Preparedness
The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) encourages residents
and businesses to review the information provided
and keep important numbers and information
where it is accessible. Plaquemines Parish will use
www.plaqueminesparish.com, news stations, radio stations and, if necessary, emergency personnel to inform residents and businesses when and
if it is necessary to take precautionary measures or
should the need to evacuate arise.
The parish offers guidelines and assistance to all
residents. If a resident has special medical needs,
does not have transportation or is in need of a
shelter, www.plaqueminesparish.com/
homelandsecurity.php contains all the information needed to help make necessary arrangements
for family and pets.
Please Note: Lower Plaquemines may need to
evacuate in the event of a tropical storm or even
severe rain storm due to the compromised levees
and lack of adequate protection from storm surge.
Residents are strongly encouraged to constantly
monitor www.plaqueminesparish.com, news
stations and radio stations for the latest evacuation
and other information during inclement weather
situations. Residents should ensure they have a
personal plan and know the evacuation routes out
of the area as well as the contra-flow and shelter
information which is now available on the parish
website. Most importantly, contact OHSEP if you
have any questions or need assistance at (504)
297-2477.
PLAQUEMINES PARISH OFFICE OF
HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS
8056 Highway 23, Suite 308
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Phone: (504) 274-2477
Fax: (504) 297-5635
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Guy Laigast
Office: (504) 274-2476
Deputy Director
Patrick Harvey
Office: (504) 297-2477
Administrative Assistant
Sophia Lopez
Office: (504) 297-2477
SPECIAL NEEDS/PATIENTS WITH MEDICAL
CONDITIONS
Contact the Plaquemines Parish Health
Department at (504) 394-3510 or through
the switchboard at (504) 297-5000.
TRANSPORTATION DURING A MANDATORY
EVACUATION
If you need a ride call: (504) 297-5000
(parish switchboard).
PET EVACUATIONS DURING AN EMERGENCY
If you have questions or wish to pre-register your pet please call the Animal Control
Department at (504) 393-0215.
THE PLAQUEMINES PARISH EMERGENCY
NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
The Emergency Notification System allows
the Parish to notify residents and business
owners in the event of an emergency by
phone, text and e-mail. All residents and
business owners are encouraged to register for this FREE service at:
alertregistration.com/plaquemines/
THE PLAQUEMINES PARISH RE-ENTRY
NETWORK
The re-entry application process allows for
residents and business owners to register
and apply for re-entry status and receive
their placards. Business owners should
register for re-entry as soon as possible to
ensure they have their credentials prior to
any type of emergency requiring evacuation. Residents and business owners can
register at:
placards.plaqueminesparish.com/
PJ Hahn
Blair Rittiner
William J. Guste, IV Esq.
Mona Nosari
Director - Coastal Zone Management
504.297.5629
[email protected]
Land Superintendent
504.297.5578
[email protected]
Coastal Projects Manager
504.304.2500
[email protected]
Director - Real Estate Services
504.304.2500
[email protected]