After closely reviewing all comments received, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, has confirmed its Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction Feasibility Study.
The selected plan will provide risk reduction for approximately 60,000 residents in the study area and takes into consideration the concerns of the local residents.
“ We received and evaluated a wide variety of agency and public comments before reaching the decision to confirm the TSP, ” said Col. Rick Hansen, commander of the New Orleans District . “I want to assure you that we listened to the comments and those helped us make an informed decision as we moved the study forward.”
The TSP would provide a levee from the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway to Hope Canal near the Mississippi River. This plan avoids some oil and gas pipelines, and includes non-structural measures for structures outside the proposed levee alignment that are at risk from storm surge flooding. Current estimates are that the plan will cost approximately $881 million (including the non-structural component) and result in approximately $23 million in annual net benefits, highest among the alternatives evaluated.
In addition to design of structural components of the TSP, the Corps can also begin refining the non-structural measures that are an important aspect of the plan to reduce storm damage risk in the study area. Non-structural measures could include but are not limited to ring levees for the more populated areas and flap gates on flow-through culverts, as well as elevation and flood-proofing of homes and buildings.
“ As we continue with the process we remain committed to working closely with our partners and stakeholders ,” said Hansen. “There will likely be some additional refinements as we move forward and it is imperative that we continue to keep our lines of communication open and active.”
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Press Release, November 28, 2013