[StBernard] Landrieu Comments on Agreement for SELA Construction and 30-Year Cost-Share

[Westley Annis]

Landrieu Comments on Agreement for SELA Construction and 30-Year Cost-Share

 

WASHINGTON - United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today commented
on the signing of an agreement paving the way for construction of $1.3
billion of the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Damage Reduction Project in
Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Also finalized today was the 30-year
repayment agreement for Louisiana's share of federal levee reconstruction.
The agreement was signed by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers.

 "Today's agreement was a very positive step for the critical drainage
improvements for Orleans and Jefferson parishes that are necessary to
keeping our communities safe from flooding." Sen. Landrieu said. "The
30-year repayment terms secured by the Louisiana delegation will allow our
state to more smartly prioritize its resources and dedicate them to other
immediate, unmet recovery needs. Our delegation will continue pushing for
federal resources to ensure Louisiana communities across the entire
Louisiana coast, from Plaquemines to Cameron, are secure from future
storms."

Last June, Congress passed a supplemental spending bill for the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan that included $5.8 billion to rebuild federal levees that
failed following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. From her seat on the powerful
Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Landrieu secured the 30-year terms in
the version of the bill that passed the Senate. However, the House of
Representatives bowed to White House veto threats and stripped the
additional flexibility, requiring instead the three-year term insisted upon
by Administration officials. After pressure from the Louisiana delegation,
the White House in July agreed to the 30-year repayment terms.