Federal Deficit

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government will run a budget deficit of almost $1.2 trillion.  The deficit would be a 8.3% of the gross domestic product and could increase if an economic stimulus plan is passed.  The planned announcement would be a major challenge for the Obama Administration and Congress as the US economy continues to falter.  According to Forbes Magazine, the private sector lost 693,000 jobs during the December which number was “well above estimates”.

Citizens Insurance

Jim Donelon, the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner has said that the plans for the state to raise rates by an average of 7 percent for Citizens Property Insurance Corp.in April is appropriate.  Citizens is considered the "property insurer of last resort.  Donelon has defended the rate increase by saying that increasing the rates would assure that the rates would be higher than those available within the private sector. 

Road Home

Latest Program Statistics
As of January 5, 2009

·         These numbers are reported as of January 1, 2009.

Air Quality

Air Quality monitoring data shows that in 2008 Louisiana met federal ozone standards for both the original one-hour and the 1997 eight-hour standards. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has validated its 2008 air quality data, which shows all of Louisiana in compliance with both standards. 

In the 1970s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set a one-hour ozone standard at 120 parts per billion. This was replaced in 1997 with a rolling eight-hour average of 85 parts per billion. In 2008, that rolling eight-hour average was lowered to 75 parts per billion. Attainment designations for the new standard are scheduled for March 2010, but may be delayed pending several lawsuits.

Historically, the only area in Louisiana area that has remained out of attainment for the ozone standard was the five-parish Baton Rouge area of Iberville, West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston and East Baton Rouge parishes. The data for the past three consecutive years shows that this area meets both standards with highest one-hour value of 114 parts per billion and the highest eight-hour value of 83 parts per billion in that time period. Based upon this most recent data, DEQ has begun the process of asking EPA to recognize Louisiana as in attainment with the federal standards.

“The data show that Louisiana’s air quality continues to improve,” said DEQ Secretary Harold Leggett. “We can see that improvement in industry practices, a greater public awareness of ozone and the implementation of rules and regulations concerning air quality have made a difference. The efforts of many people have contributed to this accomplishment.”

Ozone is formed by the reaction of sunlight on air containing hydrocarbons (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). VOCs and NOx are produced by mobile sources such as cars, boats and heavy construction equipment, industrial sources, natural sources and household activities such as using gas-powered lawn equipment and using paint thinners. High levels of ozone can affect lung function and irritate the respiratory system in sensitive populations like children and the elderly. It can worsen chronic health conditions like bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. (Louisiana DEQ Press Release)

Army Corps

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, released Individual Environmental Report 12, entitled “Harvey and Algiers Canal Levee and Floodwalls, Jefferson, Orleans, and Plaquemines Parish” on January 5th for a 30-day public comment period.  The document outlines the impacts of and general design plans for the proposed Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex, a project that would greatly reduce the risk of storm surge from impacting a large population of the Westbank. 

“The GIWW West Closure Complex would be the single most significant risk reduction project being constructed on the Westbank.  The structure would remove approximately 26 miles of levees and floodwalls from the first line of defense against storm surge,” said Tim Connell, project manager.

The preferred alternative for the Harvey and Algiers canals project area is the West Closure Complex, which proposes floodwalls, earthen levees, navigable floodgates and a pumping complex that reduces risk to residents and businesses while meeting the needs of the navigation industry and minimizing impacts to the Bayou aux Carpes 404(c) area, a wetland of national significance.  The project would reduce risk from a storm event that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year. 

In addition to the 30-day public comment period, which ends on February 4th, the Corps will hold a joint public hearing with the Environmental Protection Agency to further collect and evaluate public comments on the project.  The joint public hearing is tentatively scheduled for February 11th at the New Orleans District on Leake Avenue. 

The proposed project features a T-wall that runs north to south along the west bank of the GIWW, tying into a navigable floodgate and pumping station on the east bank of the GIWW.  To maintain interior drainage in the area, the project would require a pumping station, with a proposed capacity of 20,000 cubic feet per second to pump water from the Harvey and Algiers canals into the GIWW.

Alternative arrangements allow the Corps to expedite the environmental process required of all federally funded projects while fully complying with the intent of the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Corps mailed notices that IER 12 was available to parties who previously indicated their interest in reviewing the document.  It can also be downloaded at www.nolaenvironmental.gov where written comments may also be submitted.  Comments received during the public review will become part of the official record for IER 12. 

Questions or comments concerning the Individual Environmental Reports or the Corps’ environmental process may be addressed to:

Gib Owen  PM-RS

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

P.O. Box 60267

New Orleans, LA 70160-0267

Phone: 504-862-1337

Fax: 504-862-2088

E-mail: mvnenvironmental@usace.army.mil

For more information or to sign up to be on a meeting notification list please visit the Web site at www.nolaenvironmental.gov.  

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