[StBernard] Vitter Release: Blasts Corps for Delay on Barrier Island Plan

[Westley Annis]

Vitter Blasts Corps for Delay on Barrier Island Plan

 

 (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Sen. David Vitter today expressed his deep
frustration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the delay in
authorizing an emergency plan to dredge and build up and extend our barrier
islands for greater protection for Louisiana's coast and marsh.

            "The Corps just doesn't get it.  The regular Corps timetable
won't work.  Thick oil has already gotten behind our existing barrier
islands and infiltrating our marsh.  Yet the Corps is showing no sense of
urgency."

            "I've been pushing the administration and the Corps daily in
meetings, conference calls and hearings for the approval of this barrier
island plan for almost two weeks now, including two Senate committee
hearings earlier this week.  I'll be re-doubling my efforts with calls today
to Admiral Thad Allen and Lieutenant General Robert Van Antwerp to continue
beating the drum."

            Vitter has advocated for the emergency dredging plan supported
by Gov. Jindal and coastal parish officials to the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.  Both Gov. Jindal and Plaquemines Parish President Billy
Nungesser have stated that there are no environmental hurdles blocking the
dredging plan from moving forward.

As a member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which
has jurisdiction over the Corps, Vitter plans to pursue every legislative
avenue to expedite the Corp's approval of the emergency plan.

 

 

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