Corps Takes Flood Study To St. James

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St. James Parish residents are getting a look at an Army Corps of Engineers plan to reduce storm-surge risk from area lakes in Louisiana.

Army Corps officials outlined a feasibility study focusing on risk-reduction possibilities this past week at a meeting with St. James residents.

According to the Army Corps, the study is intended to analyze methods of reducing storm surge risk in St. John the Baptist, St. James and a portion of St. Charles Parish.

Much of the area floods during severe weather, most recently during Hurricane Isaac.

Steve Wilson, president of the Pontchartrain Levee District, told The Advocate the district favors an alternative calling for a 28-mile levee to be built north of Interstate 10 from Ascension Parish east to the Bonnet Carré Spillway.

“We’re looking out for the safety of our people, and to also protect the I-10 corridor,” Wilson said.

Two other possible plans include levees that would not reach St. James Parish. However, Project Manager Jeff Varisco said methods such as ring levees are options in those plans and would help protect St. James.

“We’ve never left St. James out of the study,” he assured the audience.

Many of the audience of about 50 people said they preferred the northern levee option, dubbed Alternative D by the Army Corps.

“If it’s anything but Alternative D, St. James is in big trouble,” Parish President Timmy Roussel said.

Wilson said that if the Army Corps chooses one of the other two proposals, the levee district could choose to still implement Alternative D. However, the district and other local agencies would be required to pay for any portion of the project outside the scope of the Army Corps’ chosen plan.