|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
News from the Morganza Action Coalition
|
MAC Presses for Morganza Funding in DC
Local residents meet with key Congressional leaders and staff to also appeal for regulatory changes and flood insurance reform.
|
Morganza Action Coalition (MAC) representatives pounded the pavement on Capitol Hill earlier this month to press federal lawmakers for support of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project and reform of regulations and policy that are impeding construction of the critical levee, lock and floodgate system.
 |
|
|
MAC Board member Cory Kief and other MAC reps discussed Morganza with members of our Louisiana Congressional delegation.
|
MAC President Jay Walker, Board member Cory Kief, Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District Executive Director Reggie Dupre and North Lafourche Levee District Executive Director Dwayne Bourgeois met with members of the House subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Other meetings were held with members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation and other lawmakers including Representative Sean Duffy, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.
"As Congress seeks to advance major infrastructure projects under the new Administration, we must do all we can to promote Morganza in that funding plan. We are grateful for the continued support of our local delegation, and our meetings with Congressional and Senate leaders on key committees were very productive in our mission to share the importance of Morgana to Terrebonne and Lafourche, as well as the nation," explains Walker.
The MAC group also pushed for reform of key regulatory and policy issues that have impeded local construction of Morgana and impacted local residents, including rules for mitigation, permitting, standards for local construction of levees, and the National Flood Insurance Program.
|
MAC to CPRA: Keep Morganza as a Priority in Coastal Master Plan
|
In comments to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) on the draft 2017 Louisiana Coastal Master Plan, MAC President Jay Walker urged Governor John Bel Edwards and the Legislature to continue to make completion of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System, especially the HNC Lock Complex, a high priority for state funding in the plan.
The Morganza system is included as a priority project in the proposed five-year plan, and with $350 million in state and local funds to date, the Terrebonne Levee District is working diligently to build the first lift of the Morganza system, with help from the North Lafourche and South Lafourche levee districts on eastern tie-ins to the system.
"Thank you for recognizing the value of Morganza to the Gulf in Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan and for supporting our region's efforts to fund and build the system," wrote Walker. "Our Bayou Region communities not only need the protection Morganza will provide - we deserve it!"
Before the start of the 2017 hurricane season, the Terrebonne Levee District expects Reach E of Morganza to be completed, providing a total of 36 miles of levees along the Morganza alignment, built only with local and state dollars.
|
Morganza Featured on HTV's March 28 Going Public
|
MAC President Jay Walker, TLCD Chairman Tony Alford and TLCD Executive Director Reggie Dupre were guests on the March 28 edition of "Going Public" on HTV.
The panel discussed ongoing work on Morganza, including construction of levee segments and floodgates and design of the Houma Navigation Canal. The guests also recapped recent meetings with Congressional officials on reform of regulations and polices that impact Morganza and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program.
To watch recordings of the March 28 program, click below:
MAC Board member and NLLD Chairman Cory Kief, NLLD Executive Director Dwayne Bourgeois, Louisiana Flood Risk Coalition Executive Director Jerome Zeringue and LFRC member Lori LeBlanc discussed MAC efforts and the National Flood Insurance Program on the February 28 edition of the "Going Public."
You can view recordings of that show below:
________________________________________________
"Going Public" segments featuring the Morganza Act
ion
Coalition and its participating levee districts are sponsored by:
|
U.S. Treasury Approves RESTORE Act Funds for HNC Lock
|
The U.S. Treasury
Department
has approved the eligibility of the HNC Lock Complex for R
ESTORE Act Trust Funds, which are provided from
penalties
paid from the 2010 Gulf oil
spill.
This action now allows the
Louisiana
CPRA to formally apply for money via the RESTORE Act
to build the $366 million
lock.
Design of the HNC Lock Complex - the centerpiece of the Morganza system - is now underway with local and state dollars. Once RESTORE Act funds are secured, construction could begin as early as 2018 and be completed in 2021. The HNC Lock will protect the City of Houma and provide significant environmental benefits.
|
|
The Morganza Action Coalition is a 501(c)(4) corporation founded in 2006 by Terrebonne Parish residents and business leaders who recognize the importance of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection System to the continued survivability, economic viability and growth of our region. Today, MAC advocates for comprehensive levee protection for Terrebonne & Lafourche Parishes.
MAC relies on financial contributions from local businesses and individuals to
support these advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. and in Baton Rouge, as well as to fund outreach and communication activities to gain public support for the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System and levee projects in North and South Lafourche.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
