[StBernard] Officials Fight To Save Pump The River Plan

[Westley Annis]

Officials Fight To Save Pump The River Plan
Washington Drops Provision From Water, Energy Bill
WDSU.com
updated 2:52 p.m. CT, Thurs., Oct . 1, 2009
NEW ORLEANS - WDSU .com

Louisiana state officials and non-profit groups on Wednesday expressed
disappointment over Washington lawmakers' decision to drop the Pump the
River Plan but said they would continue to fight for effective flood
solutions in the area.

The plan would pump flood water from parts of both Jefferson and Orleans
parishes into the Mississippi River rather than Lake Pontchartrain.

"Going forward, we just have to demand the best solutions for this area
because the consequences are too great," said Lisa Ludwig, executive
director of the nonprofit Pump to the River.

Ludwig also expressed dismay over why the plan was dumped. The plan would
have benefited more than 100,000 people in 26 neighborhoods in Jefferson
Parish and New Orleans, she said.

"It's time for this administration and congressional leadership to put their
money where their mouth is and support flood protection," Rep. Steve Scalise
said in a statement.

Sen. Mary Landrieu called the decision "unconscionable" while Jefferson
Parish City Councilman Tom Capella agreed.

"In this country that just printed a trillion dollars for corporate
giveaways, we're looking at a system with two parishes, two of the largest
in the state, hundreds of thousands of residents, tens of thousands of
businesses - to not do this right is unacceptable," Capella said.