Central Louisiana News

METAIRIE – Yesterday afternoon, following a meeting with Parish Presidents in Marrero, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) toured the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex (WCC). The complex reduces the risk of flooding from hurricanes and other weather events for numerous residents and businesses in Jefferson, Orleans, and Plaquemines Parishes.

“There was no flooding in Jefferson, Orleans, or Plaquemine Parish after Hurricane Ida, in part due to the West Closure Complex,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This shows we can build resiliency. It is my hope that we continue to build this resiliency with money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.”

Managed by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – West (SLFPA-W), the WCC is part of the larger storm protection system for the Greater New Orleans area known as the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System. The WCC features a 225-foot navigable sector gate that can close during hurricanes to block storm surge on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and 11 pumps which draw water from the Algiers and Harvey Canals to keep neighborhoods dry. It reduces the risk of storm surge for homes and businesses in Algiers, Plaquemines Parish, and the West Bank of Jefferson Parish.

Cassidy has been active in securing funding for flood control projects in Louisiana, notably by passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021. The IIJA has awarded significant sums for flood control, including over $23 million in 2022 to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway for system improvements. Additionally, over $378 million was awarded to the Morganza-to-the-Gulf project and $125 million to the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Hurricane Protection system.

Moreover, FEMA awarded $19 million last August to Jefferson Parish to harden power infrastructure against hurricane-force winds. Additionally, over $34 million was awarded to New Orleans and over $26 million to Jefferson Parish to elevate flood-prone structures through Flood Mitigation Assistance and Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities grants, which received a total of $4.5 billion as part of the IIJA.

Cassidy has also advocated for Plaquemines Parish specifically, securing over $7.3 million in June for preliminary design activities in Phase III of the Peters Road Bridge and Extension at Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District.

During his tour at the West Closure Complex, Cassidy was accompanied by SLFPA-W Board President Scott M. Burke; board members Kyle Galloway and Bill Fogle; along with SFLPA-W Executive Regional Director Nicholas P. Cali.

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Cassidy and the Parish Presidents for their visit to SFLPA-W headquarters and West Closure Complex today,” said Mr. Burke. “For the opportunity to share with our leaders the invaluable work we do daily to protect more than 250,000 West Bank residents from hurricanes and river flooding.”

Additionally, at his meeting with Parish Presidents, Cassidy led a discussion on his efforts to lower flood insurance rates, build infrastructure, and repeal provisions that reduce state retirees’ Social Security benefits such as Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. He was joined by Parish Presidents from Ascension, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Plaquemines St., Charles St., James Tangipahoa Terrebonne Washington West Baton Rouge Parishes among other officials welcomed by Ms. Meg Bankston Executive Director of Parish Presidents Louisiana.

“A successful partnership between Senator Cassidy and our Parish Presidents is built on mutual respect open communication shared commitment serving state people,” said Ms Bankston “By working together we can amplify each other’s efforts ensuring local needs heard national level federal resources effectively utilized benefit people Louisiana eager continue collaboration driving state progress forward.”

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