[StBernard] Times Picayune Urges Adoption of Flood Advisories

[Westley Annis]

Craig, what was gained or "ground taken and won" by holding out a year or so
longer to accept the BFEA than by accepting it much earlier for those who
were wishing to move on with the rebuilding plans in the parish? Curious as
to the advantages won or whatever by the holdout. Thanks.-mj

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Note: Occasionally, the LRA will share editorials about the recovery. This
one appears in today's New Orleans Times-Picayune.


Times Picayune Urges Adoption of Flood Advisory in St. Bernard Parish, Cites
LRA's Efforts to Encourage Safe Rebuilding


TIMES-PICAYUNE EDITORIAL: Adopt flood advisory
Thursday, March 22, 2007

St. Bernard Parish, which was one of the communities hit hardest by
Hurricane Katrina, has yet to adopt post-storm flood advisories proposed by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

But Parish Council members are finally coming around. They are holding
public hearings and are expected to adopt the new policy at their April 3
meeting. That's a welcome development. 


FEMA issued the advisories last spring to steer homeowners away from
slab-on-grade construction by requiring that new homes and property with
severe damage be raised at least 3 feet above grade or to the base flood
elevation, whichever is higher. The Louisiana Recovery Authority is
appropriately requiring communities to adopt the advisories to be eligible
for state money to rebuild public infrastructure. 

To see the entire editorial, click here:

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/editorials/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1174543631273
560.xml&coll=1
<http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/editorials/index.ssf?/base/news-3/117454363127
3560.xml&coll=1> 



Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464
lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses and
inflicting about $25 billion in insured losses. The Louisiana Recovery
Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in
the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead
one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a
33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting
community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and
planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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