[StBernard] Levee District Official Discusses Future of St. Bernard Flood Protection at Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority Meeting

[Westley Annis]

Wonder how much this Estopinal is paid 

	It is simple. Without this millage there will be an increase chance of flooding during heavy rainfall events as well as a diminished readiness for hurricanes. Flood insurance premiums will likely be impacted because of our inability to comply with federal standards and maintenance requirements. Currently, St. Bernard's flood protection system is better than it has ever been. But, to keep this $1.4 billion dollar federal government capital investment sound, the citizens of the St. Bernard will have to pay for the increases in operation and maintenance. Without a well maintained and operated flood protection system - families, businesses and the economic future of the Parish is threatened," Estopinal said. 

 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
Levee District Official Discusses the Future of St. Bernard Flood Protection at Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East Meeting Held at St. Bernard Parish Government Complex Building 


LBBLD Exec. Dir. 
Nick Cali	 
Chalmette, Louisiana, March 19, 2015.... Today, the future of St.  
Bernard Parish flood protection was discussed at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East (SLFPAE) that was held at the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex. Lake Borgne Basin Levee District (LBBLD) Executive Director Nick Cali addressed the Board of Commissioners regarding the specifics of a proposed flood protection operation and maintenance millage that will go before St. Bernard Parish voters on May 2nd.

  
Speaking to the SLFPAE Board of Commissioners and an audience of St. Bernard residents, business leaders and elected officials Cali said, "This is a defining public issue for the Parish. The outcome of this upcoming millage election is pivotal to flood protection, public safety and the long-term economic growth of St. Bernard."     
 
Steve Estopinal, President of the SLFPAE Board, reinforced Cali's presentation of the facts regarding the operation and maintenance of the Levee District. "It is simple. Without this millage there will be an increase chance of flooding during heavy rainfall events as well as a diminished readiness for hurricanes. Flood insurance premiums will likely be impacted because of our inability to comply with federal standards and maintenance requirements. Currently, St. Bernard's flood protection system is better than it has ever been. But, to keep this $1.4 billion dollar federal government capital investment sound, the citizens of the St. Bernard will have to pay for the increases in operation and maintenance. Without a well maintained and operated flood protection system - families, businesses and the economic future of the Parish is threatened," Estopinal said. 
 
Tyrone Ben	 
Commissioner Tyrone Ben, representing the St. Bernard Parish seat on the SLFPAE Board, also spoke about the proposed millage. "No one wants additional taxes. Unfortunately, sometimes it is a necessity, especially in this case. This will cost homeowners, on average, less than $4 more a month in property tax. It is our responsibility to educate citizens about this millage and the Levee District and SLFPAE representatives have been meeting daily with private citizens, community groups and the elected leadership of the Parish. We intend to continue to engage the community about flood protection up to the May 2nd election and beyond. This is the most compelling issue facing St. Bernard Parish," Ben said. 
   
For additional and detailed information about  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=00197VjBOLb6e7TsSKB5cGuKi6P_v4hH_iEazvuuw2bWBFhyaD3MBplsuiRRs9kEaQJZrCCMegZb1QK9Axat60ieAMcE7UPa1kS69uhsjsRPpOvGQ1uNQSo9OtPiWt4zzNWDcvit0LYrCcNqhXDdWSs9K9dSGXSeDLeeioVzdWpZs0c1nBW_9ufeFeuSgdrqwFaqkEL5LKsmyyu0BJ_eMaWeo-QgjsFlS9F-BVermNS5ae1Q-5zd9vwFQ==&c=PGITLe86KNKcTtW2I20Sz1hJnW7mUuOSVHA8dgp-YO66W_OpLfMs2A==&ch=u9Xms8ZzNKtLCjCyKVXUor2HgAlaB-u4aMHxAjghlFJ0brfWIkRlTg==>  
the proposed flood protection millage, click here. <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=00197VjBOLb6e7TsSKB5cGuKi6P_v4hH_iEazvuuw2bWBFhyaD3MBplsuiRRs9kEaQJZrCCMegZb1QK9Axat60ieAMcE7UPa1kS69uhsjsRPpOvGQ1uNQSo9OtPiWt4zzNWDcvit0LYrCcNqhXDdWSs9K9dSGXSeDLeeioVzdWpZs0c1nBW_9ufeFeuSgdrqwFaqkEL5LKsmyyu0BJ_eMaWeo-QgjsFlS9F-BVermNS5ae1Q-5zd9vwFQ==&c=PGITLe86KNKcTtW2I20Sz1hJnW7mUuOSVHA8dgp-YO66W_OpLfMs2A==&ch=u9Xms8ZzNKtLCjCyKVXUor2HgAlaB-u4aMHxAjghlFJ0brfWIkRlTg==>  

  
The Lake Borgne Basin Levee District (LBBLD): LBBLD is the flood protection arm of the St. Bernard Parish community responsible for maintaining and operating a system of levees, floodwalls, floodgates, closure structures, pump stations and drainage canals including the new $1.4 billion in improvements constructed after Katrina.  
  
SLFPAE Board of Commissioners: Stephen Estopinal, President; Joe Hassinger, Vice President; Louis E. Wittie, Secretary; Wilton P. Tilly III, P.E., Treasurer; Kelly McHugh, Commissioner; G. Paul Kemp, Commissioner; Jefferson Angers, Commissioner; Richard A. Luettich, Jr., Commissioner; Tyrone Ben, Commissioner. 
	

LBBLD Operation and Maintenance Responsibilities


LBBLD is legally required to operate & maintain the following features:


*	60 miles of levees including the Mississippi River, Back Protection and Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Hurricane Protection Levees
*	55 miles of drainage canals
*	33 floodgates
*	2 navigation floodgates (sector gates)
*	8 drainage pump stations

About $1.4 billion worth of this infrastructure was built after Katrina, including:


*	23 miles of new floodwall
*	2 new navigation floodgates (sector gates) at Bayou Dupre and at Caernarvon Canal
*	12 new land-based floodgates
*	4 new highway floodgates and 1 new railroad floodgate