Clarification/Follow-up by kindj on 09/01/05 9:42 am:
Here's an article written way back in 2003.
Read it before blaming Bush for things outside his control.
http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/ceonline03/0603feat.html
Clarification/Follow-up by kindj on 09/01/05 9:45 am:
Hey, here's another one. Looks like the levees were the primary responsibility of the STATE OF LOUISIANA, not the feds:
Orleans Levee District
Agency Description
The Orleans Levee District (the District) was established by the State of Louisiana in 1890 for the purpose of operation and maintenance of levees, embankments, seawalls, jetties, breakwaters, water basins, and other hurricane and flood protection improvements surrounding the City of New Orleans. The Levee District is governed by a board of eight commissioners, six of whom are appointed by the governor. Two ex officio members are the Mayor of New Orleans or his designee, and one member appointed by the mayor from a list of three city council members selected by the City Council.
The District is responsible for the maintenance of 129 miles of levees and floodwalls, 190 floodgates, 100 flood valves, and two flood control structures. To enhance flood protection, the District, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), participate and cost share in several joint flood protection projects relative to the Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Hurricane Protection Plan. The District is funded primarily by two millages: 5.46 mills authorize in the Louisiana Constitution and 6.44 mills authorized in a general election. The voter-approved millage will expire in 2015. In 1928 the Louisiana Legislature authorized the District to dedicate, construct, operate, and maintain public parks, beaches, marinas, aviation fields, and other like facilities. The District owns and operates the N.O. Lakefront Airport, South Shore Marina, Orleans Marina, Lake Vista Community Center, and Floodcomm. No revenues or expenditures have been budgeted to Floodcomm for several years.
Found at:
http://www.bgr.org/budgets/old/agency_description.htm
Clarification/Follow-up by voiceguy2000 on 09/03/05 10:35 am:
Here's what the Chicago Tribune had to say earlier this week:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday that a lack of funding for hurricane-protection projects around New Orleans did not contribute to the disastrous flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina.
In a telephone interview with reporters, corps officials said that although portions of the flood-protection levees remain incomplete, the levees near Lake Pontchartrain that gave way--inundating much of the city--were completed and in good condition before the hurricane.
However, they noted that the levees were designed for a Category 3 hurricane and couldn't handle the ferocious winds and raging waters from Hurricane Katrina, which was a Category 4 storm when it hit the coastline. The decision to build levees for a Category 3 hurricane was made decades ago based on a cost-benefit analysis.
Oh well.
Clarification/Follow-up by Bradd on 09/04/05 6:11 am:
Oh well, if the Chicage Tribune says it, it must be so, right?
