Residents of Jefferson Parish and the Barataria area will soon see progress in their local waterways, as debris removal operations begin, following the green light from FEMA's Public Assistance Program. The cleanup, a response to the lasting impact of Hurricane Ida, is set to clear navigable waterways on private property, with a public meeting slated for March 18 at 7 p.m. to keep the community in the loop. The gathering will take place at Estelle Playground, located at 5801 Leo Kerner Parkway in Marrero, offering a platform for resident input and questions, as reported by the Jefferson Parish.
Jefferson Parish Councilman Joseph Marino, who represents District 1, emphasized the significance of cleaning up the waterways "for the safety of our community but also for the long-term restoration of the Barataria area," according to a statement reported by Jefferson Parish's official news postings. Marino also acknowledged the efforts of former Councilmembers Marion Edwards and Ricky Templet for securing the FEMA funding and approval necessary to kickstart this endeavor.
The Parish's Department of Public Works has set in motion plans to use publicly bid contracts to clear out both vegetative and construction debris from eight private waterways. The cleared material, amounting to roughly 33,180 cubic yards, will then serve multiple purposes: suitable debris will be repurposed as fill in Bayou Rigolettes, while construction waste is destined for Riverside Recycling Landfill. An inspector and an archaeologist will oversee the removal process to maintain integrity and historical preservation, as state dby the Jefferson Parish.
Coordination has been ongoing between Jefferson Parish and state agencies, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, similarly, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, ensuring proper site approval for debris placement. Letters seeking rights of entry were dispatched to affected property owners with 162 out of the 262 parcels already giving the thumbs up, as per the Jefferson Parish. Should no substantial objections emerge, and FEMA grants the final nod for the site, the project will advance as planned.
