2011-0342
INTRODUCED BY: V.J. ST. PIERRE, JR., PARISH PRESIDENT
RESOLUTION NO.
Title
A resolution to request that the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley New Orleans, revisit the method by which compensatory ratios are considered in the Modified Charleston Method, especially in regard to projects involving flood protection and restoration.
Body
WHEREAS, due to the extreme impact of subsidence and loss of coastal wetlands and barrier islands in the lower Mississippi Delta levee protection is more important and time critical than ever in order to preserve the unique culture, resources, and industry found throughout the region; and,
WHEREAS, levee projects, designed to protect the public from flooding, are often faced with unavoidable impacts to wetlands; and,
WHEREAS, as such, Parishes are required to provide compensatory mitigation in accordance with state and federal statutes, regulations and/or guidelines; and,
WHEREAS, Parishes are required to spend an ever increasing portion of construction budgets on mitigation in lieu of actual project construction; and,
WHEREAS, effective May 1, 2011, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley New Orleans adopted a new method of determining compensatory mitigation called the Modified Charleston Method; and,
WHEREAS, the Parish agrees with the Corps of Engineers stated intent of adopting this less subjective method of calculating required mitigation as compared to the previous methodology, however, the adoption of the Modified Charleston Method by the Corps has in most instances dramatically increased the costs associated with evaluation of impacts on our vital flood protection projects, thereby reducing the Parishes ability to properly protect the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, do hereby request the United States Army Corps of Engineers revisit the method by which compensatory ratios are considered in the Modified Charleston Method, especially in regard to projects involving flood protection and restoration.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is requested that the United States Army Corps of Engineers consider an adjustment to the Modified Charleston Method policy to take into account the public benefits to the project being permitted, including the drastic reduction of any compensatory mitigation for projects providing flood protection and the waiving of compensatory mitigation entirely for wetland restoration projects in the best interest of our citizens, businesses and vital infrastructure.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Bobby Jindal, Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator David Vitter, Congressman Jeff Landry, Congressman Steve Scalise, Congressman Cedric Richmond, Colonel Edward Fleming, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Garret Graves, Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Sherri LeBas and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle.
Vote
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the resolution was declared adopted this day of , 2011, to become effective five (5) days after publication in the Official Journal.
CHAIRMAN:
SECRETARY:
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:
APPROVED: DISAPPROVED:
PARISH PRESIDENT:
RETD/SECRETARY:
AT: RECD BY: