COVINGTON, LA – The Covington City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to de-snag and dredge the Bogue Falaya River in an effort to prevent flooding.
The Council passed a similar resolution in 2008, but Councilman Rick Smith said the federal reaction was non-existent.
"The city asked for help then and got nothing, and the rampant flooding earlier this month is at least partially a result of federal neglect," Smith said. "Now, we're asking again, and I'm going to keep asking – louder and louder – until someone responds."
Covington neighborhoods including Ozone Park, Covington Point and the Savannahs experienced significant flooding.
"Until the early 1960s, the federal government kept the river de-snagged," Smith said. "As we've grown, federal flood mitigation has come to a virtual standstill in the Covington area – and we've seen the results. I'm confident the Council will overwhelmingly approve this resolution and send it on to our Congressional delegation. This resolution, as well as request from our mayor, our parish and state leaders, should result in better safety for the many citizens affected by the rivers."
