A recent report discusses the rejection of adopting
FEMA base flood elevation guidelines causing the
Parish residents to be ineligible for funds under the state's
Road Home program.
St. John the Baptist Parish Council on
Tuesday rejected the Federal Emergency Management Agency's base
flood elevation guidelines.
They also cited the lack of an appeal process as
another reason for their opposition, according to the resolution
rejecting the federal guidelines, which was introduced during the
council's regular meeting.
The council plans to adopt the new Flood Insurance
Rate Maps when they are released by April 2007.
Last month, officials from the Louisiana Recovery
Authority and FEMA met with the Parish Council, residents and home
builders for a workshop to discuss concerns about the new elevation
guidelines issued in November and April.
The local builders, who strongly opposed the
elevations, said they were not uniform for the entire parish.
Council members also questioned the validity of the findings.
In the resolution, the council said the maps would
negatively impact the growth of St. John, which has experienced a
spike in population because of the influx of Hurricane Katrina
evacuees and FEMA sites.
When the Flood Insurance Rate Maps are released in
2007, the council said, it will hold public hearings.
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