Nola Reporter

JEFFERSON PARISH, LA – On August 28, 2023, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) joined Senior Advisor to the President, White House Infrastructure Coordinator, and former Mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landrieu where they announced project selections for new climate resilience funding for Louisiana totaling $207M. The selections, through two competitive grant programs, will help communities nationwide enhance resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.

"With this announcement, we celebrate a tremendous step towards securing our nation's future against the ravages of the climate crisis and extreme weather events," said Rep. Carter. "This new climate resilience funding marks a pivotal moment in safeguarding our communities and building a more resilient nation. Millions of Americans bear the brunt of climate change's impact every year, whether through droughts, extreme heat, wildfires, or floods. These funds reflect a recognition of the growing threats posed by climate change and a commitment to addressing them head-on."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congressman Carter championed, provides FEMA with nearly $7 billion to help communities proactively reduce their vulnerability to flood, hurricanes, drought, wildfires, extreme heat, and other climate-fueled hazards. Since President Biden took office, Democrats have provided record funding to FEMA's annual resilience grant programs, increasing them from $700 million to $3 billion this year. This increased funding allows FEMA to expand its geographic scope in funding selections and protect more of our nation's communities that are most in harm's way from the effects of climate change and extreme weather.

“Millions of Americans in communities big and small feel the effects of climate change each year from more extreme and unpredictable weather, flooding, drought, extreme heat, wildfires and more – and of course in Louisiana, we’re seeing impacts of them all,” said Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda provides the largest investment in resilience in American history, and the funding we’re delivering to Louisiana will be a lifeline for many communities as we build a stronger, more resilient America.”

Background

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

For the BRIC national competition, FEMA selected 124 projects across 115 communities. These are critical mitigation projects and activities to reduce natural hazard risks for states, local communities, tribes, and territories. Projects selected in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District include:

• $19 million to strengthen the electrical grid in Jefferson Parish, including by equipping poles and wires to withstand 150 mph winds. The project should decrease the risk of power outages to residents and critical facilities.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

For the Flood Mitigation Assistance program, FEMA selected 149 projects in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)-participating communities in 28 states and the District of Columbia. This funding will go towards flood control and individual property mitigation projects such as elevation, acquisitions and mitigation reconstruction of repetitively flood-damaged buildings insured by the NFIP. Projects selected in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District include:

• $34.8 million for the city of New Orleans to raise 193 flood-prone structures to reduce flooding, prevent future flooding, and addresses flood risk to Revere Repetitive Loss and Repetitive Loss properties.
• $23.18 million for Jefferson Parish to elevate 132 flood-prone structures, install green infrastructure to detain stormwater, and prevent future damage.
• $17.70 million for East Baton Rouge Parish to elevate 84 structures to two feet above the Base Flood Elevation and open green space for the community.
• $9.85 million for St. John the Baptist Parish to raise 52 flood-prone structures to prevent future flooding.
• $3.75 million for The Parish of St. Charles to reduce 39 Severe Repetitive Loss properties from future damage and reduce National Flood Insurance Program paid claims.
• $3 million for theparish of Ascension to elevate 18 Severe Repetitive and Repetitive Loss structures and elevate flood-prone properties and use nature-based solutions to reduce risk.

Original source can be found here.