June 4, 2018
Morganza Minute
News from the Morganza Action Coalition       Like us on Facebook    Follow us on Twitter

Levee and Floodgate Construction Intensifies Along Morganza Alignment



Did you know that $350 million in local and state funds have been invested in the Morganza system to date?

Did you know that, as of May 2018, approximately 45 miles of levees and floodgates along Morganza from Dularge to Cut Off are permitted, under construction or completed?

Read more about recent project milestones like the Pointe-aux-Chenes Floodgate, Reaches K & L in Lafourche and the HNC Lock in the MAC fact sheet.

Levee District Directors Make Presentation to Bayou Industrial Group Members 


In preparation for the start of hurricane season, local levee district directors spoke to members of the Bayou Industrial Group at BIG's monthly luncheon in Thibodaux on May 14.  Reggie Dupre, Executive Director of the Terrebonne Levee & Conservation District; Dwayne Bourgeois, Executive Director of the North Lafourche Levee District; and Windell Curole, General Manager of the South Lafourche Levee District gave updates on levee and drainage projects in the two parishes, including progress on Morganza to the Gulf.  All three local levee districts are members of Morganza Action Coalition.
Dupre Testifies Before U.S. House Committee

Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District Executive Director Reggie Dupre testified 
April 26 at a  U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing on the importance of offshore revenue sharing in funding Louisiana coastal restoration and protection projects.

"It is important to note that the efforts and sacrifices of the people of coastal Louisiana have paved the way for the economic expansion of this country.  The delta region of Louisiana has been sacrificed to accommodate the building of Mississippi River levees in the early 20th century. The rates of subsidence and coastal erosion were exponentially advanced and the problems we are facing today are the result," explained Dupre.

"Is it fair for Congress to share its oil and gas revenue with Gulf States? The obvious answer is ABSOLUTELY!" he said.

Read Dupre's full testimony to Congress here.

MAC Attends Levee Boards Association Workshop















MAC representatives and members of the Board of Directors attended the A ssociation of Levee Boards of Louisiana Annual Workshop May 3-4 in Baton Rouge, where MAC also hosted an informational booth for workshop attendees.  The event featured speakers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, LA Dept. of Transportation and Development, LA Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.  MAC representatives participating included  MAC President Jay Walker; MAC board members Cory Kief, Ronald Callais and Jack Moore;  TLCD President Tony Alford and Executive Director Reggie Dupre; SLLD General Manager Windell Curole; and NLLD Executive Director Dwayne Bourgeois.

Water Resources Bill Heads to House Floor

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018 on May 24. 

WRDA authorizes infrastructure projects related to flood protection, ports, inland waterways, locals and dams, and dictates how those projects are selected, prioritized and implemented.   MAC has been working with lawmakers and policy makers on Capitol Hill for months to ensure that issues impacting flood protection in Terrebonne and Lafourche are addressed in the bill. 

"How the government priorities, plans and ensures the completion of water resources projects is the difference between life and death in may cases. We have to refocus the Corps of Engineers on moving dirt instead of pushing paper," said Congressman Garret Graves, Chairman of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. 

The full House is expected to consider the 2018 WRDA in June, and the Senate is also considering its own version of the bill.

Tony Duet Joins MAC Board

Morganza Action Coalition welcomes 
  Tony Duet to the MAC Board of Directors!

A resident of South Lafourche and former CEO of Vision Communications for over 40 years, 
Tony represents South Lafourche residents 
on the MAC Board.   View the full Board list here.

We also  thank  outgoing MAC Board member 
Roland Guidry  for his service over  the past two years!  Mr. Guidry has been named to the South Lafourche Levee District Board of Commissioners.

In the News

Area better protected for hurricane season
 
DIY Levees - With little help from Washington, Louisiana's bayou communities go it alone
 
Gov. Edwards Announces $18.5M Grant to Advance Flood Protection in Terrebonne Parish
 
Group seeks state money for levee system gap
 
New website lets boaters, others monitor local floodgates
 


View recordings of MAC representatives as guests on segments of HTV's "Going Public" program HERE.

The next MAC "Going Public" segment:
June 26, 2018 - Terrebonne Levee & Conservation District


THANK YOU TO OUR MAC MEMBERS!

     All in Logo
Your membership contribution to MAC helps to sustain our federal lobbying efforts and strengthen MAC's public outreach. Your contribution makes our call for support of Morganza and other flood protection projects in our area even LOUDER!
small MAC logo
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. 



All in Logo
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.
 
Lori LeBlanc, MAC Managing Consultant
Telephone:  (985) 209-7932
E-mail:  info@Morganza.org
Web:  www.Morganza.org