[StBernard] Deal reached on MRGO

[Westley Annis]

Deal reached on MRGO

NEW ORLEANS - St. Bernard Parish President Henry Rodriguez Jr. and the Port
of New Orleans have reached an agreement on a plan to close the Mississippi
River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) to deep draft vessels. Rodriguez and Port officials
are proposing the plan to the Louisiana Congressional delegation and other
key members of Congress as a roadmap to address both the environmental and
economic issues surrounding the channel. 

St. Bernard Parish President Henry Rodriguez Jr., and Port President and CEO
Gary LaGrange have signed a memorandum of understanding laying out the
details of the plan. The St. Bernard Parish Council will discuss the
proposal on Thursday. 

"I believe this is a vital first step in securing the future of St. Bernard
Parish," Rodriguez said. "These projects secure our homes and our property
and give our residents the confidence they need to come home and rebuild." 

Hurricane Katrina has emphasized the need for significantly enhanced storm
surge and flood prevention measures, adjustments to the depth of the MRGO,
and the relocation of several terminals and industries dependent upon the
MRGO at its currently authorized depth. 

The five-point plan would reduce MRGO's available draft while enhancing
flood protection and coastal restoration, according to port officials. 

"The parish president and the port are speaking with one voice on this
vitally important issue. We ask that our congressional delegation join with
us in the effort to secure the necessary funding to implement this plan,"
LaGrange said. 


The plan includes: 

. Expediting the design and construction of a vessel floodgate and storm
surge protection measures on the MRGO and in the Lake Borgne area, which
would follow plans St. Bernard Parish set forth in a series of reports on
coastal restoration and hurricane protection. The structures would control
tidal movement and halt saltwater intrusion; move sediment through the
controlled MRGO into estuary basins to help restore marshes and wetlands;
enhance estuarine habitats through monitoring and control of marine and
river flow and reef building initiatives; and provide manmade storm-surge
protection. Additionally the plan calls for the creation of a training
program for maritime and environmental technicians. 

. Completing the Congressionally authorized Inner Harbor Navigational Canal
Lock at a length of 1,200 feet, 110 feet wide and 36 feet deep, which would
allow an alternative route on the Mississippi River for most deep draft
ships seeking to access cargo terminals and industrial sites that have been
served by the MRGO. 

. Closing the MRGO to deep draft shipping by reducing its depth to 28 feet
to serve the offshore oil and gas exploration and production activity,
commercial and recreational fishing interests and other existing industry.
The current project draft is 36 feet. 

. Constructing an industrial district with marine structures, such as
wharves along the MRGO in St. Bernard Parish to accommodate port-related
warehouses, maritime operations and industrial activity, such as offshore
support vessels and other shallow-draft vessels. 

. Relocating certain existing maritime operations affected by the closure of
the MRGO to deep draft navigation. 


Source: Port of New Orleans