October 31, 2007
CONTACT: Chris DeBosier (202) 225-4031
FRANKLIN, LA - Today, U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon
announced that south central Louisiana
is one major step closer to comprehensive protection from future hurricanes and
flooding. In a press conference with local elected officials, Melancon
announced that Congress has passed a portion of his hurricane protection
legislation that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to "survey
the coast of Louisiana in Iberia, St. Martin,
and St. Mary Parishes a view to determine the feasibility of providing
hurricane protection and storm damage reduction and related purposes."
These parishes were severely damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Rita.
"Rita is sometimes called the ‘forgotten storm,'" said
Melancon. "But for those of us who lived through it, the damage caused by
this monster storm will always be remembered."
"While the federal government has been slow to realize our dire need
for hurricane protection in coastal Louisiana,
this study will bring us one step closer to getting the help we need to shield
ourselves from future storms," said Melancon.
Rep. Jack Smith, who represents parts of Iberia, St. Martin and Mary
Parishes, added, "I want to thank Congressman Melancon for pushing the
federal government to move forward on hurricane protection for south Louisiana.
As we recover from Rita, the memory of the utter devastation caused by
Hurricane Andrew is still fresh in our minds. We are tired of rebuilding after
every major storm and need better protection from hurricanes and
flooding."
Franklin Mayor Raymond Harris also joined Melancon for the announcement.
Harris commented, "Like many communities in southern Louisiana,
Franklin
suffered from major flooding after Hurricane Rita. The people of Franklin welcome this
announcement and thank Congressman Melancon for his work to get us
comprehensive hurricane protection."
The legislation was passed in the form of a study resolution by the U.S. House
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure before Congress adjourned last
month. Once an appropriation for the study is passed, the Corps will begin the
study.
The resolution came from section 105 (a) of the MARC
Act (H.R. 5461) , which Congressman Melancon authored and introduced in May.
The Meeting Authorizations Required for the Coast (MARC) Act of 2006 is a
barebones package of authorizations for critical Army Corps of Engineers
projects that address critical hurricane protection and coastal restoration
issues along the gulf coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. Most of the
projects have already been designed by the Corps but have been waiting for
passage of a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the authorizing
legislation for Corps projects that is now four years overdue.
The projects address issues that previously existed as well as some that
have arisen since the 2005 hurricanes. All of the projects focus on hurricane
or flood protection and coastal restoration. These two activities are strongly
related, in that increased wetlands, marshes, and barrier islands play a large
role in absorbing much of the force of hurricanes before they hit populated
land. Navigation and economic development issues are omitted from this bill in
the interest of maintaining the focus on safety and protection of the Gulf Coast
populations.
Melancon concluded, "I will continue to work in Congress for
comprehensive hurricane protection for all of coastal Louisiana. This is not about funding wants,
this about taking care of needs that have been neglected for decades. We
must protect our families, communities, and businesses from future storms. Our
way of life depends on it."
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