[StBernard] Parishes Support 'Pump To River'

[Westley Annis]

Parishes Support 'Pump To River'
Parishes Come Together To Send Flood Protection Message To Washington

Orleans and Jefferson parishes are coming together to send a strong message
about flood protection to Washington.

The Jefferson Parish Council went before the New Orleans City Council on
Tuesday to discuss their agreement on the "pump-to-the-river" concept.

It isn't the first time local governments have tried to pursue the project,
and it won't be the last time they try to get it funded through the federal
government.

Jefferson Parish Council members voiced frustration over Congress' decision
not to fund the project to pump along the Mississippi River to channel water
south of Airline Highway into the river during a storm.

It would divert water away from the 17th Street Canal, reducing water volume
there by 25 percent.

"Pump to the river is not a Jefferson Parish flood protection mechanism. It
is a flood protection mechanism for Orleans and Jefferson," said Jefferson
Parish Councilman John Young.

The plan would protect 100,000 people in 26 communities, and it's estimated
to cost $150 million to $200 million.

"This is not about the cost of dollars ... this is about the cost of lives,"
said New Orleans City Council member Jackie Clarkson.

Improving the current plan, which pumps water to Lake Pontchartrain, is part
of the federal flood protection plan.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says pump-to-the-river is not a bad idea,
but the Corps has no authority or money to do it.

"It is a long-term interior drainage improvement project that will take a
minimum of 15 years to do," said Col. Robert A. Sinkler.

New Orleans City Council President Arnie Fielkow said it's an economic
issue.

"Anybody around the country that's followed the story down here and looks at
our flood protection system, you're either going to pay for it now or you're
going to pay for it later," Fielkow said.

Orleans and Jefferson parishes have said they would help pay for the cost of
the project. Their current plan is to take their unified resolution to U.S.
Sen. Barbara Boxer.