Cassidy Pushes Corps on West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Project

Statement

Today, Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation in urging the Corps of Engineers to carefully review the merits of Alternative D levee alignment for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Project. This follows the Corps issuing a Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) which fails to protect the businesses and residents in Ascension and St. James Parishes. The Congressman issued the following statement:

"I am pleased that the Corps of Engineers is making progress in protecting the River Parishes from floods and storm surge. However, the current Tentatively Selected Plan is penny-wise but pound-foolish. For $10 million more than the estimated $881 million price tag, the Corps could protect two more Parishes. $10 million is a small fraction of what would be spent if another storm like Hurricane Isaac moves through the region and damages those properties.

"The Corps must address this challenge and provide full protection for Ascension, St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist Parishes. Protecting river communities from floods is vital and remains one of my top priorities."

Source