"This is one of those rare occasions in which hurricanes Katrina and Rita have afforded us with an opportunity to make things right," said LRA Board Member Tim Coulon. "By making these much-needed improvements to the Vacherie Backwater Pumping Station, thousands of St. James Parish residents will be better protected from future flooding. The replacement of these pumps is long overdue, and I’m thrilled that we could provide the resources necessary to make it happen."

The upgrades funded through this project will complete a previously funded HMGP flood protection project. The original backwater and flood protection project was completed in 2001, but due to budgetary constraints, the recommended 48-inch pumps were not installed. Since that time, the parish has used temporary pumps to remove rainwater and maintain the required water level needed to reduce flood damages.

Funding from this $377,895 grant will be used to remove the existing 20-inch pumps and install two 48-inch pumps. The project will require no major design or construction modifications. The new pumps will be able to handle future flooding without relying on installation of temporary pumps.

"This project area has been burdened with prolonged backwater flooding caused by high tides and storm surges from the Lac Des Allemands Basin," said Jim Stark, FEMA’s director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "Installation of the larger pumps will directly affect and reduce flooding to an area that includes 225 residential properties, six commercial structures, two schools and one fire station."

The LRA authorized the release of $250 million to help parishes prevent damage from future disasters in November 2005. In accordance with the State Hazard Mitigation Program, LRA directed GOHSEP to distribute the first hazard mitigation funding available after hurricanes Katrina and Rita to parish governments. To access hazard mitigation funds through the state HMGP program, parishes submit proposals to GOHSEP. The funds, which are provided under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, require a 25 percent match from parish governments or state agencies.

Projects eligible for HMGP funds include structure elevation, wind retrofitting of facilities, property acquisition, planning, mitigated reconstruction and safe room installation. Projects must fit within the state’s and local governments’ overall mitigation strategy and comply with HMGP guidelines.

In addition to this HMGP program, more than $1 billion in hazard mitigation funds will also be made available through GOHSEP to homeowners who have applied to the Road Home program. The state is seeking approval of this elevation funding from FEMA. When the state’s application to distribute HMGP funds through the Road Home program is approved, homeowners will be contacted by The Road Home program with information regarding the next step.

A congressionally mandated study conducted for FEMA revealed that mitigation saves society an average of $4 for every dollar spent. Such defensive, preventative mitigation measures learned and implemented by Louisianians will contribute to a national floodplain management plan that saves taxpayers an estimated $1.1 billion per year by preventing flood damages.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

GOHSEP will ensure that the state is prepared to respond to, and recover from, all natural and man-made emergencies. This office will provide the leadership and support to reduce the loss of life and property through an all-hazards emergency management program of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.