[StBernard] LRA Board of Directors Aproves Millions for Local Recovery Projects

[Westley Annis]

LRA Board of Directors Approves Millions for Local Recovery Projects


LAKE CHARLES, La. (September 11, 2007)- Today the Louisiana Recovery Authority's (LRA) Board of Directors received and approved Long Term Community Recovery Plans for Calcasieu, Cameron, Plaquemines, St. Mary, Beauregard, and Jefferson parishes, a move which clears the way for $41 million to be spent on local recovery projects in these parishes.

"In the aftermath of Katrina and Rita, very robust planning efforts were initiated at the local, regional, and state levels to ensure wise, forward- looking investment of very limited resources," said John T. Landry, Chair of the LRA's Infrastructure Task Force. "As a result of these initiatives, local communities have identified long term recovery projects that will not only address immediate recovery needs, but will also help to rebuild infrastructure safer, stronger and smarter than before."

In total, the LRA has approved more than $186 million or 93% of the funds for the Long Term Community Recovery Program in less than a month since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved Louisiana's action plan to implement this program on August 30, 2007. 

"Two years ago it would have been difficult to find a resident of South Louisiana who could visualize anything positive emerging from the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the failure of our federal levee systems," said Donna Fraiche, Chair of the LRA's Long Term Community Planning Task Force. "But because we've taken this as an opportunity to plan, and now funds for long term recovery projects are steadily flowing, our vision for the future is materializing, and we can see that brighter days are ahead."

Funding allocations and top priorities for local recovery projects for each parish include the following: 

Jefferson- $14.3 million

*	Drainage master plan and improvements for local drainage 
*	Hurricane proof sewage infrastructure 
*	Hurricane Fortified, Flood Proof Animal Shelter 
*	Comprehensive Redevelopment Plan for Oakwood Area 
*	Restoration of Roadway Median Areas 
	

Plaquemines- $12.8 million

*	Comprehensive Master Plan 
*	Emergency Operations Centers 
*	Flood Gate Safety Measures 
*	Upgrade of Plaquemines Parish Shipyards 
*	Tidewater Road Drainage Infrastructure 
	

Cameron- $8.5 million 

*	Cameron Square Development 
*	Old River Dredging and Marsh Creation 
*	Calcasieu River Ship Channel Dredge 
*	Port Feasibility Study 
*	Emergency Operations Command Centers in Grand Lake and Hackberry 
	

Calcasieu Parish- $5.6 million

*	Construction of the SWLA Entrepreneurial Center 
*	Construction of the Lake Charles Riverwalk/Parkway 
*	Revitalization of Downtown Lake Charles 
*	Establishment of Emergency Services for Public Safety 
*	Development of Calcasieu Comprehensive Drainage Program 
*	Comprehensive Wastewater Facilities Projects 
	

St. Mary- $199,000

*	Update of Hazard Mitigation Plan 
*	Improvement of Harry P. Williams Airport Safety and Capacity 
*	Interconnection of Municipal Potable Water Systems 
*	Update of St. Mary Emergency Preparedness Plan 
*	Drainage and Flood Control Improvements 
	

Beauregard- $178,000

*	Revitalization of Downtown DeRidder 
*	Renovation of Old Post Office 
*	Environmental Community Mapping 
*	Affordable Housing Restoration/Development 
*	Evacuation Route Enhancement 
	

Conceived by the LRA and implemented by the Division of Administration's Office of Community Development (OCD), this $200 million program provides funds to support implementation of local long-term recovery plans in the most heavily impacted communities in the state.

The funding is part of $10.4 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that have been allocated to Louisiana to implement housing, economic development, and infrastructure projects that will speed their recovery. 

Funds from this program are distributed among parishes in the most heavily impacted areas of the state according to a formula that is based on estimated housing and infrastructure damages inflicted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The formula was developed with input from local officials and approved by the LRA Board of Directors earlier this year. Eligible parishes access the funds by submitting locally developed recovery plans for approval by the LRA Board of Directors and drawing down funds for specific recovery projects from the OCD. Plans must be developed with input from citizens and local community leaders and must identify and prioritize projects that will speed the recovery.

In June 2007, the LRA Board officially received the Unified New Orleans Plan (UNOP) and approved the New Orleans Strategic Recovery and Redevelopment Plan, which cleared the way for the City of New Orleans to access $117 million in CDBG funds through this program. 

The Board also approved proposals from St. Bernard and Vermilion, providing $26.03 million and $2.2 million respectively to the parishes for their long-term community recovery planning efforts. 

The HUD approved Action Plan Amendment creating this program is available online at http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dr/plans/Amend12-Approved_07-08-17.pdf <http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dr/plans/Amend12-Approved_07-08-17.pdf> . 

The LRA approved these plans at its Board of Directors meeting, which was held at the Lake Charles Civic Center today. Board resolutions and presentations for the board meeting are available online at www.lra.louisiana.gov <http://www.lra.louisiana.gov> . 

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