Welcome to SLFPA-West

Contact: Gerald A. Spohrer
Special Assistant to the President
Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West
Office: (504) 340-0318
For Immediate Release 2009 Flood Protection Geological Symposium:
Geologic Facts of Life for Flood Protection in Coastal Louisiana
(Marrero, LA — May 5, 2009) -- The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West is working with the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—East, the New Orleans Geological Society and the Louisiana State Geological Survey in sponsorship of the annual Flood Protection Geological Symposium. The event will take place on July 16, 2009 at the offices of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—East, 6512 Spanish Fort Boulevard in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the afternoon. The exact time will be provided in later news releases.

The symposium is the third annual conference and was organized to convene public agencies and provide the officials in charge, and the public, with the latest geological research affecting flood protection efforts along the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Zone. Again this year, the Flood Protection Geological Symposium Committee invites up to five PowerPoint lectures approximately 30 minutes in length representing diverse geoscience topics such as paleotempestology, subsidence and sea-level rise, geological considerations for coastal restoration and protection, geotechnical hazards and other relevant topics.

For more information or to participate as a guest presenter, please contact:

Ed Picou at epicou@bellsouth.net or 504-529-5155
Mike Miner at mminer@uno.edu or at 504-280-3866
NOGS: info@nogs.org or 504-561-8980

Contact: Gerald A. Spohrer
Special Assistant to the President
Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West
Office: (504) 340-0318
For Immediate Release Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex Project:
An Approach To Storm Surge Reduction on the West Bank
(Marrero, LA — April 28, 2009) -- A long, winding series of levees, floodwalls and locks has stood for years to reduce the impact of flooding and storm surge for West Bank residents. To strengthen and expand upon that system — which now protects nearly 250,000 residents — the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is using an estimated $500 million in federal funding for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex (GIWW WCC) project. Corps officials say the project’s goal is to “reduce the (surge) risk from a storm that has a 1 percent chance of happening in the area in any year.” Components include: Navigable floodgates; a new drainage pump station; a concrete T-wall and flow control structure; and an earthen levee. The entire complex will be constructed without ever having to close the navigation channel. Completion for the surge barrier is estimated for the summer of 2011. The final construction — including the pump station and secondary flow control structure — should be finished by 2012.

The project has been in the works for the last 2 years. During this time, the Corps has worked closely with parish leaders, residents, and environmental groups to incorporate their best interests and ideas into the design of an effective risk reduction system for the area.

Four alternatives were explored and one was selected. With funding in place and the planning phase over, the project is moving forward. Construction is likely to begin with the relocation of Bayou Road, construction of a new levee, and construction of a pump station.

The next phase is expected to cover a number of concurrent tasks, including:

Construction of a coffer dam on the east bank of the GIWW for construction of the main navigation gate
Excavation of a site for a 20,000 cfs pump station
Construction of an earthen levee east of the pump site
Construction of a concrete T-wall on the banks of the Bayou Aux Carpes wetland

As the gate is completed, the Corps plans to install a coffer dam between the large navigational gate and the West Bank of the GIWW. The dam would function as the 100-year protection system, until the second navigational gate is completed.

To minimize the impact on fragile wetlands, marine-based equipment will be used in the construction of the t-walls. Also, materials dredged from the Algiers Canal will go to benefit preservation of Lake Salvador. Construction of the floodwall south of the Estelle Outfall Canal Station and levees west of the Bayou Aux Carpes wetlands will be constructed concurrently. To prevent shoreline erosion, aggregate will be place at various locations during construction.

For more information, view the following link, produced by the Army Corps of Engineers:
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex Video

Contact: Gerald A. Spohrer
Special Assistant to the President
Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West
Office: (504) 340-0318
For Immediate Release Project Profile: Eastern Tie-In
(Marrero, LA — April 28, 2009) -- The Eastern Tie-in identifies a project designed to provide the 100 year (1 %) level of hurricane flood protection for those citizens living and working in the communities of Belle Chasse and south to Oakville, in Plaquemines Parish.

The Eastern Tie-In is a part of the West Bank and Vicinity, New Orleans, Louisiana, Hurricane Protection Project. Once constructed, it will close the ring of flood protection at its southern and eastern terminus through three separate contacts.

The project will be constructed in three phases and will include a stop-log floodgate across the Hero Canal, which connects into the improved Hero Canal Levee. The floodgate will transition into a floodwall that will also include the community of Oakville. The third phase of the project will involve the construction of a flood gate across Highway 23. The structure will then proceed to tie in the Mississippi River.

For more information, view the following link, produced by the Army Corps of Engineers:
Eastern Tie-In Video

Contact: Gerald A. Spohrer
Special Assistant to the President
Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West
Office: (504) 340-0318
For Immediate Release West Bank Risk Reduction Approach: Western Tie-In
(Marrero, LA — April 28, 2009) -- The Western Tie-In is one of the many flood protection projects that are part of the West Bank and Vicinity, New Orleans, Louisiana, Hurricane Protection Project. It represents the western end of the project, terminating at River Road and the Mississippi River in the community of Ama, in St. Charles Parish. The area is open and, many consider, vulnerable, especially when hurricane storm surge threatens the region. It is now the focus of a new risk reduction project — called Western Tie-In — being spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West, in cooperation with St. Charles Parish Government. Its purpose is to reduce surge risks for residents in the area, possibly through the installation of new drainage, floodwalls and levee systems in the area. An equally important goal in the project is to protect the area’s residents, businesses and its delicate environmental components. Two railroad systems operate in the area, and the project’s impact on their operations is being examined.

Three alternatives were considered for the project.

Alternative 1 would have essentially maintained the originally proposed alignment with the project crossing Highway 90 near South Kenner Road to the railroad tracks that parallel the Mississippi River. It would then proceed west to the Davis Pond guide levee, than north to the Mississippi River levee.

Two other alternatives proposed involved following Highway 90, from the Lake Cataouatche Levee to the Davis Pond guide levee, then north to the Mississippi River levee. Finally selected was Alternative 3, which follows Highway 90, along the Outer Cataouatche Canal, south of Highway 90. It then proceeds west from the Lake Cataouatche Levee to the Davis Pond guide levee, then north across Highway 90, to the Mississippi River levee.

The Corps is scheduled to begin construction of the first phase of the project in late summer of 2009. The new system is expected to be place for Hurricane season, 2011.

For more information, view the following link, produced by the Army Corps of Engineers:
Western Tie-In Video

Contact: Gerald A. Spohrer
Special Assistant to the President
Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West
Office: (504) 340-0318

For Immediate Release Flood Protection Projects Are Underway
(Marrero, LA — February 6, 2009) -- The SLFPA—West is working with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on a number of flood protection projects within its West Bank jurisdiction. Of those, approximately 24 projects are under construction. Another 22 projects are currently in design, and will soon be ready for construction.

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, employees of the West Jefferson Levee District (WJLD), a member levee district within the Authority, were responsible for acquiring land for such projects. For a while after the storm, that responsibility shifted to the USACE, as the federal agency rebuilt the existing hurricane levee system at full federal expense.

Now, as construction of the 100-year (1%) hurricane levee system begins, the WJLD is once again responsible for land acquisitions. Levee District employees are currently researching land titles relating to some 16 flood protection projects.

“We plan to finalize all land acquisitions by the end of this year, with the ultimate goal of having a stronger and more efficient Levee System than ever before,” says SLFPA—West President Susan Maclay. “The continued hard work of the Authority staff is going to make that possible. West Bank citizens should feel a lot safer and more confident about our levees as we approach the next Hurricane season.”

Contact: Gerald A. Spohrer
Special Assistant to the President
Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West
Office: (504) 340-0318
For Immediate Release New Technology Adds More Accuracy to Levee Inspection
(Marrero, LA — February 6, 2009) -- SLFPA—West recently developed a 21st century, state-of-the-art, computer-driven inspection system. Called an Authority Inspection System ARCView 9.0, the hand-held device provides vital statistics on levees throughout the Authority's jurisdiction. Using the device on site, field inspectors can keep a complete and accurate history of a site, including past issues and problems, repairs, improvements and current status.

The real time system allows the inspection team to record all reports from both the regular quarterly and specific project inspections. In the field, the inspector can enter information such as dates, times, and locations, using GPS, photos and insert any comments.

The device also provides the inspector with information on previous inspections, allowing them to compare progress of construction, and determine whether or not previous deficiencies have been addressed. Once the field work is completed, all reports and recorded data are automatically downloaded to the Authority's computer servers, creating a retrievable database from which comparisons can be made. All inspections are available to visitors to the SLFPA—West's website.

Contact: Gerald A. Spohrer
Special Assistant to the President
Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—West
Office: (504) 340-0318
For Immediate Release www.slfpaw.org: A Valuable New Resource For West Bank Flood Protection
(Marrero, LA — February 6, 2009) -- In the effort to strengthen communications and flood protection information to citizens within its Jefferson and Orleans parish jurisdiction, the SLFPA—West is proud to announce the launch of its new website, www.slfpaw.org.

“This will be more than a website. It will be a resource, a guide and a helping hand to residents of the West Bank of the Mississippi River and beyond,” says an SLFPA—West representative. “A lot of work is being put into the project to assure that our citizens have access to every aspect of the Authority and its member levee district's activities.”

Website features include a detailed background on the levee system, the history of the SLFPA—West, and important emergency contact information. The website also provides information on the purpose of the Authority, as well as a closer look at projects that are planned or underway. Throughout the site, citizens will learn in detail how the SLFPA—West is using tax dollars to make its jurisdiction a safe place to live, work and play. The website also features important public information, including board meeting dates, agendas and minutes. It also includes the Authority's budget, bid and employment information, as well as guidelines for permit acquisitions for both the West Jefferson Levee District and the Algiers Levee District.