St. Mary Excel takes part in flood risk meeting

(Editor's note: The St. Mary Excel citizens group submitted this report on its fourth-quarter activities, which included a meeting on the flood risk in the region.)

St. Mary Excel continues its work to implement recommendations of the Urban Land Institute panel, Morgan City and Berwick Louisiana: Building the Foundation for a New Economy Along the Atchafalaya River.

Download a copy of the report in .pdf format from a link on this story at StMaryNow.com.

St Mary Excel:

--Met with Morgan City administration to discuss progress on Bike Morgan City. Current awarded bike grants include: 1) placing pedestrian head crossings on intersections identified as dangerous; 2) placing trails from downtown Morgan City to South Louisiana Community College, and 3) continuation of trail from the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau to David Drive.

--Applauded the parish for its work in resilience lab planning involving plans for a contract with The Water Institute of the Gulf to involve stakeholders in resilience lab details.

--Met with industry leaders to share information and received industry endorsement on a maritime residential high school proposal requiring legislation requests and continued meeting with legislator liaisons.

--Participated in a National Academy of Sciences – Gulf Research Program advisory follow-up committee meeting on Oct. 23.

The Water Institute of the Gulf (TWIG) and Purdue University researchers were in the area in late September to hear from focus group stakeholders. Stakeholders provided input on nonstructural flood mitigation strategies.

Attendees included Stephensville property owners, Berwick Mayor Duval Arthur, Mike Brocato from the St. Mary Parish Levee District, Jean Paul Bourg from St. Mary Parish government, St. Mary Parish Councilman Mark Duhon, Charlie Solar and Lou Tamporello from the city of Morgan City, Cindy Cutrera from the Port of Morgan City, and Morgan City residents.

St. Tammany Parish and Cameron Parish are also participating in the project Incorporating Equity and Social Vulnerability into the Design of Flood Risk Mitigation Strategies.

--Met with industry leaders to share information on development of LANERR management plan and to prepare for LANERR public meeting at auditorium on Nov. 2.

--Provided multiple documents to the LANERR writing team detailing the area’s 30-year involvement to advance research and interpretive needs of the Atchafalaya area. A listing of the documents shared was made in St. Mary Excel public comments at the LANERR auditorium meeting on Nov.2

--Planned to Participate in a meeting on Dec. 15 with the LANERR Coastal Training Program team to provide input on a draft Atchafalaya NERR training program.

--Submitted a proposal in collaboration with the St. Mary Parish economic development office, Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, and Port of Morgan City, for funding two floating classrooms for student learning. The proposal was a 2024 Atchafalaya Basin Plan submission.

--Continued inquiry into the process for resurfacing Hwy 182 (making ADA sidewalks and turning lanes) as appropriate to local priorities.

--Continued inquiry into a neighborhood recognition challenge whereby homeowner/ business owners are recognized for revitalization efforts. Currently signage has been installed to recognize neighborhoods. Landscaping around the signs will take place in the next couple of months for neighbors to enjoy and maintain.

The next meeting for the Local Interest Group is planned for late January or early February 2023.