Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane Protection

• Facts/FAQs
• Facts and Figures (pdf)

FACTS/FAQS

Question: Does the design of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection Project take into consideration new data and lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina?

Answer: Yes. In fact, Morganza-to-the-Gulf engineers have already implemented design changes to Reach H-3 and Reach J-2, the first two segments of the levee system, based on land loss and hydrology data derived since the landfall of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the fall of 2005. An adaptive implementation and management approach is being followed, allowing the Morganza system to be adjusted as necessary if new information becomes available that could increase the levee system's effectiveness. This begins with the design phase, but also includes the operation and monitoring of 13 environmental structures once construction is complete.

Question: Will Morganza-to-the-Gulf damage our environment and ecosystem?

Answer: No. Morganza is a first-of-its-kind hurricane protection system that will provide a unique opportunity to maximize our ecosystem's sustainability while still providing effective storm surge protection. Its environmental benefits are substantial:

1. The hurricane protection levees will be built along natural ridges, roadbeds or existing drainage levees
2. The levee alignment follows existing hydrologic barriers, reducing any impacts on the environment.
3. Thirteen environmental control structures will allow water flow between the exterior and interior marshes of the levees when storms are not a threat.
4. The Houma Navigational Canal lock will reduce saltwater intrusion and redirect much-needed freshwater from the Atchafalaya River to our deprived marshes.

Question: Why should America spend so much money to protect the residents of Houma and Terrebonne Parish? Why don't they just move?

Answer: Some of America's largest and most economically significant metropolitan areas were originally selected for development because of their strategic location and/or proximity to important natural resources. Unfortunately, these locations oftentimes come with the risk of natural disasters. Think New York City, Miami and Los Angeles. And while the Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish region, including the city of Houma, may not be as large as these areas, its economic significance is just as substantial:

1. This region is a hub of oil and gas production for the nation, providing over 20 percent of America's energy supply.
2. Our wetlands are home to over 9,300 miles of oil and gas pipelines that provide heat and gasoline to Americans everywhere, and serve as a wintering ground for migratory fowl.
3. We have the largest port system in the country.
4. This region supplies 40 percent of the seafood produced in the lower 48 states.
5. Our wetlands provide a wintering ground for migratory fowl.
6. Our 200,000 residents keep the oil and gas flowing and the boats running to ensure the economic productivity of this region and the economic security of this nation.

Funding the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection System is simply a wise investment for the United States, not to mention the right thing to do for 200,000 Americans who pay their taxes and work hard to keep America's lights on and gas tanks full.

Question: Where are the local tax dollars going?

Answer: In 2001, Terrebonne parish residents voted to begin paying a quarter-cent sales tax to fund the local match required for construction of the $888 million Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection System. The tax revenue is dedicated to the Morganza project, and so far has generated over $22 million, which has been used to help pay for design and engineering of the project, as well as to begin construction on the system's first two levee segments in two of the parish's most vulnerable communities. Tax revenue will also be used to maintain and operate the system once complete. However, substantial funding is still needed from the federal government in order to complete the levee system and offer Category 3 storm surge protection to this critical piece of American real estate.

Question: Can we adjust the current alignment?

Answer: The Morganza-to-the-Gulf alignment was established to follow existing hydrologic barriers and levees will be built along natural ridges, roadbeds or existing drainage levees. This will minimize environmental impacts and increase the effectiveness of the hurricane protection system, while protecting the area's 200,000 residents and critical national infrastructure. However, project managers have taken an adaptive implementation approach to the system's construction, meaning that it undergoes design and engineering scrutiny at each phase of construction. Design changes may be made if data indicates that increased protection can be offered if modifications are implemented.

Question: Why is the project called Morganza?

Answer: Initially, the hurricane protection project included an area from the Morganza Spillway, north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to the Gulf of Mexico. While subsequent studies concluded that the system should begin near the city of Houma, the project name did not change.

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