St. Tammany Plans Keep Barges Nearby For Lake's Storm Protection

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – The president of a parish north of New Orleans is fuming over Coast Guard plans to move barges protecting Lake Pontchartrain. Kevin Davis says a deal's been reached to store barges within the parish, not the 100 miles he says the Coast Guard wanted.
But Admiral Thad Allen says it's critical to protect equipment that will clean up the shore once the storm passes.

"Booms and barges don't stop storm surge. Booms and barges become victims of storm surge and become incapacitated and can't be applied in oil spill response once the storm has passed."

Allen says local leaders are in charge of finding high ground suitable for shelter.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.