The Army Corps of Engineers says a federal levee designed to protect Terrebonne Parish and parts of Lafourche Parish from storm flooding will cost $12.9 billion. State and local officials would have to come up with 35 percent, or up to $4.5 billion.
The plan released Friday includes 36 additional miles of levee, extending the Morganza project from U.S. 90 in Gibson to Louisiana Highway 1 in Lockport.
The corps plans a meeting about it Jan. 31 at the Houma Municipal Auditorium.
Terrebonne levee district director Reggie Dupre tells The Courier the big new price tag was expected. He says that's one reason the district asked voters for a half-cent sales tax. The recently approved tax will pay for 10-foot levees as interim protection along Morganza's path.
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Online:
Report: http://1.usa.gov/ZVel3A
