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March 18, 2009

Public hearing addresses levee repairs



By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

With the coming hurricane season little more than three months away, the levee system surrounding Port Arthur, Groves, Port Neches and Nederland commanded attention Wednesday during a public hearing.

About 75 people attended the hearing in Port Arthur to learn more about the proposed rehabilitation and repairs to the Port Arthur and Vicinity Hurricane Flood Protection Project. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District in conjunction with the Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7 presented information about the proposed repairs to the area’s levee system.

Willard and Deloris Brannon were among those in attendance. Their Lakeside Drive home butts up to the T-Wall.

“We had a lot of damage. A lot of water came over the wall and into hour house,” Willard Brannon said. “We’re here today to try and understand what they plan to do, and if we will lose any property over this.”

John Machol, project manager, said he anticipates the project will begin around May 15 and be completed by July 1.

“That’s not a lot of time,” he said.

Repairs and rehabilitation would include prevention of further erosion along portions of the levee toe. Engineers plan to use riprap, — rock or other material used to line the shoreline — and stabilizing vegetation.

Further erosion along the T-wall would be prevented by replacing the eroded areas with a concrete “scour pad” in accordance with new guidance developed after Hurricane Katrina.

Repairs would also be made to cover stone damage and the Taylors Bayou slope failure.

Machol said people may be inconvenienced during the repairs from construction work and noise.

Phil Kelly, Drainage District No. 7 manager, said maintenance and operations of the levee system is the responsibility of the district.

After Hurricane Katrina, rules for obtaining a levee safety certification changed dramatically. If any area of the levy is in need of repair, it compromises the entire system, he said.

Following the presentation, those in attendance were able to submit comments concerning the levee project.

Area residents have until April 16 to submit comments.

Comments should be mailed to: Jerry Androy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Galveston District, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, Texas 77553-1229, or e-mail to Jerry.L.Androy@usace.army.mil.

skoonce@panews.com

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