With a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico and posing a potential threat to Louisiana, work is already underway to mitigate any potential flooding.
During Tuesday night's joint Lafayette and City Parish Council meeting, there was long term discussions about flood threats.
Advocates pushing to dredge the Vermilion River brought their case before the councils. While dredging the Vermilion is a long term goal, they also tell me flood control structures have been activated to lower the Vermilion River, just in case tropical weather makes its way to Acadiana this weekend.
David Dixon, president of Dredge the Vermilion said, "We're going a little different tract to lower the water levels in the watershed by using the Courtableu gates and the Henderson Lake gates."
Dredge the Vermilion wants LCG to reconsider their drainage projects because of the impacts they could have on the Vermilion River.
District 4 Lafayette City Councilwoman Nanette Cook said, "Our drainage is not just Lafayette and I think we all know that. I just want to reiterate that this is so much more of a bigger issue than Lafayette Parish."
In February, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported findings of a study that show dredging the Vermilion might not be cost effective. According to that study, about 200 homes would benefit from the 150-million dollar project.
Despite that study, the final decision on dredging has to be made. Dredge the Vermilion did warn LCG that the city could face legal challenges if nothing is done to reduce the flood threat.
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