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LRA Takes Action to Provide Millions for Local Projects and Fisheries Infrastructure
Board Also Endorses Louisiana Speaks Priorities for 2008, Tours Recovery Progress
NEW ORLEANS (October 11, 2007) -- Today the Louisiana Recovery Authority Board of Directors met and approved Long Term Community Recovery Plans for Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Tammany and Terrebonne, clearing the way for these parishes to access nearly $9.8 million.
"With today's action, the LRA has approved 98% of the funds available for this program, providing nearly $200 million for improvement projects that parishes have identified as their top priorities," said Donna Fraiche, Chair of the LRA's Long Term Planning Task Force. "By strategically investing recovery dollars in local projects that will protect marshlands, enhance drainage capacity, improve highways and establish evacuation routes, we are not just recovering from the past, we are investing in our future."
Funding allocations and top priorities for local recovery projects in each parish include the following:
St. Tammany- $7.65 million
- Expansion of the Mandeville Area Wastewater System
- Improvement of the Slidell/Pearl River Area Wastewater System
- Establishment of the UNO Research and Technology Park
- Improvement of Parish Drainage Capacity
Terrebonne- $1.02 million
- Morganza to the Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Protection System
- Construction of Communications Infrastructure and Provide Responders with Equipment
- Update Parish Emergency Operations Plan
- Construction of a North South Hurricane Evacuation Route
- Expansion of Louisiana Barrier Island Maintenance Program
Lafourche- $948,000
- LA 1 Improvements - Golden Meadow to Port Fourchon
- Coastal Restoration
- Mississippi River Reintroduction
- North Lafourche Levee Project
- Additional Marsh Creation
Lafayette- $150,000
- I-49 Interchange Improvements
- US 90 Drainage Project
- United Way Multi Tenant Center
- Lafayette Comprehensive Plan
- US 90 Bridge Widening
At its regular meeting of the Board of Directors, the LRA also approved a resolution to reallocate funds that would provide $19 million for the enhancement of fisheries infrastructure in coastal Louisiana.
"For many South Louisiana residents, fishing is not just a hobby, it is a livelihood," said LRA Board member John T. Landry. "This program will help address some of the most pressing recovery needs of the fishing community and aid in the long-term sustainability of an industry that is vital to the economy and culture of Louisiana."
It is estimated that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed more than $528 million in direct fisheries infrastructure in Louisiana
The Fisheries Infrastructure and Assistance Program will provide funding to projects that:
- Enhance and ensure continued access to the state's coastal waters for commercial and recreational fishing, eco-tourism and development of "working waterfronts;"
- Create/maintain employment in the commercial and recreational fishing industry;
- Preserve the commercial and recreational fishing culture of coastal Louisiana;
- Improve the economic efficiency of the fishing industry; and
- Create storm harbors that provide vessels with temporary refuge during future storm events.
Before taking this action, LRA staff conducted four public outreach meetings to gauge support for the action and received positive feedback from stakeholders in the fishing community. The Louisiana Shrimp Association, Louisiana Oyster Task Force, Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition, and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board also submitted letters to the LRA Board of Directors expressing support.
"We commend the LRA on its ongoing support of the coastal fishing industry in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita," said Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor. "This additional money will provide much-needed funding for the recovery of critical infrastructure for Louisiana's coastal fisheries."
The LRA Board also approved a resolution endorsing a top-ten list of Louisiana Speaks priorities for 2008, which includes establishing a state office of planning and funding and building transportation infrastructure that is critical to Louisiana's recovery, among others.
"After months of planning, it is exciting to see recommendations of the plan taking shape," said Sean Reilly, chair of the LRA's State and Local Legislative Task Force. "Establishing a separate leadership organization and a state office of planning will ensure that the voices of thousands of citizens that formed Louisiana Speaks will continue to influence the state's future."
The Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan for South Louisiana, which the LRA board adopted at its May 2007 meeting, details more than 100 action items to support the plan's three broad goals of recovering sustainably, growing smarter and thinking regionally.
Other highlights from the meeting included a housing update from Housing Task Force Chair Walter Leger. In his presentation, Leger noted that as of October 9, 2007, the Road Home program has provided critical funding to more than 60,500 homeowners across South Louisiana totaling more than $4.2 billion.
He also noted that the LRA in conjunction with the Louisiana Division of Administration Office of Community Development, announced today nearly $375 million that is being awarded in Round 2 of the Road Home Small Rental Property Program. These funds, which are being awarded to small rental property owners, will help to restore nearly 10,000 rental units in South Louisiana's most severely impacted parishes
Leger also noted that the Louisiana Division of Administration's Office of Community Development has directed its contractor ICF International to all homeowners to schedule their initial appointments by December 1, 2007. All appointments must be completed by December 15, 2007.
Applicants who have yet to schedule their first appointments must do so by calling 1.888.762.3252. TTY callers use 711 relay. Appointment times will be based on availability. Applicants are encouraged to call as soon as possible to schedule their appointments. Advisory Service appointments (follow up appointments) will still be available after the Dec. 15 deadline.
LRA Executive Director Andy Kopplin also updated the LRA Board on the status of the projected Road Home budget shortfall and noted that Governor Blanco will lead a team to Washington DC next week to urge Congress and the White House to fully fund the Road Home program.
At the current rate of grant payouts of 10,000 a month, and at the current average award per grant of $70,000 per homeowner, the Road Home program is projected to exhaust its existing budget by the first of the year.
To ensure that each and every eligible homeowner receives the grant they need to repair and elevate their home Louisiana has requested that Congress provide approximately $3.3 billion in additional funding and issue a legislative mandate to FEMA that will allow the state to effectively utilize $1.17 billion of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds that have been allocated to Louisiana but have been tied up in red tape for more than a year.
Major General Hunt Downer from the Louisiana National Guard also gave a presentation on the progress of construction at Jackson Barracks.
"We were 100 percent destroyed by Katrina," Maj. Gen. Hunt Downer said. "But hold on, we're coming back and we're rebuilding safer, stronger and smarter."
Approximately $200 million has been committed in state and federal dollars to restore this historic 100-acre military post which will serve as an anchor for recovery in the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans and the community of Arabi in St. Bernard parish. Construction could be complete in as little as 18 months.
Following a noon adjournment LRA Board members and staff hosted a bus tour for members of the media to survey recovery progress throughout New Orleans and St. Bernard.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.
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