February 24 – North Lafourche Levee District
By Justin Terrebonne
On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, the members of the Rotary Club of Thibodaux had the privilege of meeting Dwayne Bourgeois, who presented information on the North Lafourche Levee District (NLLD).
Mr. Bourgeois is a lifelong resident of the Parish of Lafourche. He is the Executive Director of the NLLD, which is a title he has held since March 1, 2010, and he has taken a lead role in the FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
The NLLD was created in 1992 to provide flood protection for North Lafourche, and includes all areas of the parish north of the Intracoastal Canal. It is divided into eight project areas and its purpose is to protect nearly two-thirds of the population of Lafourche Parish, which is approximately 65,000. This includes 250 miles of levees and drainage canals and 40 pump stations.
The NLLD is currently working on several projects throughout Lafourche Parish. The Rienzi area, as well as the Peltier Park/EDW White area, are undergoing maintenance dredging, and there is a clean and sweep project currently underway on the 80 Arpent Canal.
Unfortunately, the Federal government has made it difficult for NLLD to continue its efforts to save our coastal wetlands. For example, the 1973 Clean Water Act defines both waterway and wetland. These definitions have a significant impact on each and every project. Another example is the recent Executive Order—the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard. The intent of the Order is to ensure that Federal money is spent wisely. It is ordered that all Federal agencies use certain standards for any actions by that agency in order to be considered. This will place a burden on NLLD for each and every one of its projects to protect our parish.
It appears as though the movement with the government is to shift away from flood protection and move towards risk management. It is imperative that, as residents of Lafourche Parish, we talk to our legislators and encourage them to slow down this new movement and continue with structured flood protection.
March 3 – Cajun Roller Girls
The Cajun Roller Girls
By Janice Tregre
Corey Callegan is a career architect for Duplantis Design Group. Being a passionate fan of the Cajun Rollergirls landed him the position of assistant coach and trainer of the local based team of competitors in the women’s flat-track roller derby. Joining him to present the interesting sport of Roller Derby was Hester Serrano. Hester is a Probation and Parole Officer for the State of Louisiana. She has been a member of the Cajun Roller Girls since 2010 and goes by the stage name of “Psycho Beast”.
In 2008, “The Cajun Rollergirls (CRG)” began as a not-for-profit organization based in the Tri-Parish area. CRG aim to have a positive impact on both the lives of its skaters and the communities of Louisiana’s Cajun Country. They are a proud member league of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), the international governing body for the sport of women’s flat track roller derby and a membership organization for leagues to collaborate and network.
The Cajun Rollergirls foster the empowerment of women by promoting athleticism, sportsmanship, teamwork and volunteerism. In addition to increasing recognition of the women’s flat track roller derby, they seek to support the community with volunteer work and fundraising for area organizations.
For more information check out the Cajun Rollergirls at www.cajunrollergirls.com. Support the Cajun Rollergirls as they take on Acadiana Rollergirls at their next event held at the Warren J. Harang Jr Municipal Auditorium on March 21, 2015 at 7pm.
