[StBernard] Flood Protection Millage Receives Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) Endorsement

[Westley Annis]

What I find interesting is BGR only went to speak with LBBLD for
information, data and opinions for this tax election.  Naturally, LBBLD is
going to put on their best face, presenting them with the information and
argument they choose.  They did not speak with parish government officials
for their opinion, nor did they speak with other professionals, such as
engineers, who could have given their analysis and opinion if what the LBBLD
is asking for is truly needed.  They could have spoken with some residents
and business owners in the parish who have been following this issue.  While
I believe BGR went about their research honestly and ethically, questions
still have to be raised as to the results of their findings and their
endorsement.


-----Original Message-----
IMO 11.1 mills is enough. Orleans parish uses the back levee for storm water
management and the improvements, while located in St Bernard, benfit Orleans
parish perhaps to a greater extent. St Bernard is used as the fail-safe
valve to flood us to save "the city". Let The City come up with the
additional mills.
 
-----Original Message-----
Levee District's Flood Protection Millage Receives Bureau of  Governmental
Research (BGR) Endorsement April 9, 2015 


Violet, LA -  The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR), a private,
non-profit, independent research organization dedicated to informed public
policy making and the effective use of public resources has announced its
endorsement of the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District's (LBBLD) proposed flood
protection millage that will appear on St. Bernard Parish ballots on May
2nd.   
  
After several months of intense research and interviews with the Lake Borgne
Basin Levee District Executive Director Nick Cali, BGR issued its report to
the public in support of the additional 7.5 millage for operation and
maintenance of the LBBLD's system of levees, floodwalls, floodgates, closure
structures, pump stations and drainage canals, including the new $1.4
billion in improvements constructed after Katrina. 

Cali said, "We are pleased that the BGR recognizes the consequences if this
millage fails - the possibility of increased flooding, flood insurance
increases and eventual deterioration of a $1.4 billion flood system. We are
also pleased that the BGR believes that the Levee District is a responsible
steward of public dollars. I commend BGR for their thorough review of this
millage proposal and of our agency's policies and procedures. Our mission is
and always has been to give the citizens of St. Bernard the flood protection
they deserve. The Levee District will continue its flood protection public
education efforts, engaging neighborhood and community groups, the Parish's
elected leadership and every St. Bernard resident about the flood protection
millage election to be decided by voters on May 2nd." 

To read the full BGR report, click here
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Qq92mdbWI6yabfBgztQ7MsYahz48DRPus9Wa_1cWmzEj
jFaPx6g72S3FfxMYLOEJvoxiKCloGiZQ38ydRxLON8VDk85VK3hYcOp2xutdQO4aSx4gt8LwxODB
u_cguOXrZsCqfDAHxzQCqcmD7XX5kSG2Uwi3_XYbE40-2G-j9y55hfk6q17GKE_-Iuc0kvhWTx3y
rp_9Y0RH5O4UY5F6aQ==&c=VvAvWtrEAVnAMdpBQMZG4WH07ARV_IDTu0Rxo3KjtxFXlTUICcaEK
Q==&ch=zMy_99JNuXmquFOVaBzQ18KS8mkJULupkY-Lyt6RwGtU7JPlV9Ifrw==>  .  

To learn more about the proposed millage, click here
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Qq92mdbWI6yabfBgztQ7MsYahz48DRPus9Wa_1cWmzEj
jFaPx6g72U1MHmvajmRdz5tLDsqGXRvBqQ_Pc9JGxzJsI1Wu1uu1tuuvZggyuG4KRdGjtpXnBZSQ
NSARbmOqr8TUG0q6l1XD-IUJwa_9bdeUEsaABi_NtbQmUCCjuzaZhAEjK61ZUw==&c=VvAvWtrEA
VnAMdpBQMZG4WH07ARV_IDTu0Rxo3KjtxFXlTUICcaEKQ==&ch=zMy_99JNuXmquFOVaBzQ18KS8
mkJULupkY-Lyt6RwGtU7JPlV9Ifrw==> . 
	

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