WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon today announced that Plaquemines Parish will receive $17,254,770.50 in federal disaster aid grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The grants will reimburse the Parish for infrastructure recovery costs following Hurricane Katrina.

“I am pleased Plaquemines Parish will be reimbursed for meeting the much-needed relief needs of the community, like providing temporary housing and classrooms,” said Melancon.  “But I will continue to push in Washington for more permanent solutions, such as offshore revenue sharing, a comprehensive Category 5 hurricane protection system, and a national emergency response agency that is efficient and prepared.” 

Please see the final report of the Katrina Task Force for more details.

The following grants were announced today for Plaquemines Parish: 

• $1,646,154.90 for Repairing Retaining Wall in Empire (Plaquemines Parish). High winds, rain and floods due to Hurricane Katrina damaged the Empire retaining wall—a structural sheet pile wall located on the north side of the Doullut Canal. The wall was constructed in 1979 and runs about 4,200 feet to intersect with the hurricane protection levee reconstructed by the U.S Corp of Engineers.  The entire length of the wall shows damage, which includes the loss of 2,333 cubic yards of soil on the backside. This grant will reimburse the parish for the removal of the 4,200 feet of damaged sheet pile wall, restoration of 2,333 cubic yards of levee embankment and replacement of 4,200 linear ft of sheet pile.    
  
  
• $1,407,164.10 for Temporary Housing for Sheriff's Essential Personnel (Plaquemines Parish Sheriff).  High winds, heavy rain and flooding from Hurricane Katrina destroyed the homes of the Parish Sheriff's essential personnel. This grant will reimburse the parish for preparing 98 trailer sites, purchased to house displaced employees. Site work includes spreading and leveling the ground, installing sewerage/tanks, electrical and plumbing.         
• $4,287,300 for Debris Removal (Plaquemines Parish). This grant will reimburse the parish for removing 117,000 cubic yards of debris from Parish streets, right of ways and Parish property as well as for the demolition and removal of debris from private property that was considered a public health and safety threat.         
  
  
• $5,769,482.65 for Project Management of the Construction of Temporary Classrooms on the West Bank (Plaquemines Parish School Board).  High winds, flooding from levee breaks, and a tidal surge caused by Hurricane Katrina resulted in significant damage to six of the Parish's nine schools.  They are currently unoccupied and repairs are expected to occur over an extended period of time.  The Parish school board has an immediate and dire need for temporary classrooms to serve the new and returning student population. This grant will reimburse the school board for purchasing, preparing sites for, delivering, installing and connecting utilities for temporary classrooms on the Parish’s east bank, encompassing approximately 59,184 square feet of building space, as well as the installation of walkways and ramps.  
  
  
• $4,144,668.84 for Construction of Temporary Classroom Facilities on the East Bank (Plaquemines Parish School Board). High winds, flooding from levee breaks, and a tidal surge caused by Hurricane Katrina resulted in significant damage to six of the Parish's nine schools.  They are currently unoccupied and repairs are expected to occur over an extended period of time.  The Parish school board has an immediate and dire need for temporary classrooms to serve the new and returning student population. This grant will reimburse the school board for purchasing, preparing sites for, delivering, installing and connecting utilities for temporary classrooms on the Parish’s east bank, encompassing approximately 34,650 square feet of building space, as well as the installation of walkways and ramps.  

###