NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, released Individual Environmental Report 12, entitled “Harvey and Algiers Canal Levee and Floodwalls, Jefferson, Orleans, and Plaquemines Parish” on January 5th for a 30-day public comment period. The document outlines the impacts of and general design plans for the proposed Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex, a project that would greatly reduce the risk of storm surge from impacting a large population of the Westbank.
“The GIWW West Closure Complex would be the single most significant risk reduction project being constructed on the Westbank. The structure would remove approximately 26 miles of levees and floodwalls from the first line of defense against storm surge,” said Tim Connell, project manager.
The preferred alternative for the Harvey and Algiers canals project area is the West Closure Complex, which proposes floodwalls, earthen levees, navigable floodgates and a pumping complex that reduces risk to residents and businesses while meeting the needs of the navigation industry and minimizing impacts to the Bayou aux Carpes 404(c) area, a wetland of national significance. The project would reduce risk from a storm event that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year.
In addition to the 30-day public comment period, which ends on February 4th, the Corps will hold a joint public hearing with the Environmental Protection Agency to further collect and evaluate public comments on the project. The joint public hearing is tentatively scheduled for February 11th at the New Orleans District on Leake Avenue.
The proposed project features a T-wall that runs north to south along the west bank of the GIWW, tying into a navigable floodgate and pumping station on the east bank of the GIWW. To maintain interior drainage in the area, the project would require a pumping station, with a proposed capacity of 20,000 cubic feet per second to pump water from the Harvey and Algiers canals into the GIWW.
Alternative arrangements allow the Corps to expedite the environmental process required of all federally funded projects while fully complying with the intent of the National Environmental Policy Act. The Corps mailed notices that IER 12 was available to parties who previously indicated their interest in reviewing the document. It can also be downloaded at www.nolaenvironmental.gov where written comments may also be submitted. Comments received during the public review will become part of the official record for IER 12.
Questions or comments concerning the Individual Environmental Reports or the Corps’ environmental process may be addressed to:
Gib Owen PM-RS
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267
Phone: 504-862-1337
Fax: 504-862-2088
E-mail:
mvnenvironmental@usace.army.mil For more information or to sign up to be on a meeting notification list please visit the Web site at
www.nolaenvironmental.gov.