Parish of Ascension OFFICE OF THE PARISH PRESIDENT

KENNY MATASSA Parish President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 30, 2017

MEDIA CONTACT: Contact: Martin McConnell Email: [email protected] Phone: (225) 450-1138

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa Hosts Drainage Summit; Parish Presidents Call for Regional Projects To Be Funded Now

Five area Parish Presidents agreed to a unified, regional approach as the best way to gain funding and move forward with construction now.

The summit, which was called by Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa, was well attended by representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, the Amite River Basin Commission, the Pontchartrain Levee District, and the offices of Congressman Garret Graves and Senator Bill Cassidy. Additionally, State Senator Eddie Lambert, and State Representatives , , and .

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa opened the discussion with a call for action: “Our people have suffered from floods and surges as decades fly past and projects stall for lack of funding. This must change.”

Livingston President Layton Ricks expressed frustration with the system designed to mitigate flooding. “All of the processes in place are flawed,” he said. “Sitting at the table with leaders from neighboring parishes will really make a difference. I’m hoping speaking as a group with one voice works.”

East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said, “I understand the frustration and share the concerns of this group. My home was flooded, and I’m not back in it yet.” She went on to thank Kenny Matassa “for convening this group. This is a great start and the best way to accomplish our common objectives.”

P. O. Box 1659, 615 E. Worthey Rd., Gonzales, 70707 Telephone (225) 450-1130 – Fax (225) 450-1145 – www.ascensionparish.net – facebook.com/ascensiongov

After fruitful discussion, the group consensus was that three projects should be prioritized for maximum effect: the Comite River Diversion Canal, the West Shore Levee Protection system, and the clearing and dredging of Bayou Manchac.

President Matassa added: “Regionally we are united. These three projects must be funded now. I will be traveling to Washington with several Parish Presidents to deliver this message to Congress, federal agencies, and President Trump in February.”

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Photo Tags:

Photo #1 - “Parish Presidents Attending the Amite River Basin Drainage Summit were, left to right: Timmy Roussel, St. James; Sharon Weston Broome, East Baton Rouge; Kenny Matassa, Ascension; Layton Ricks, Livingston; and Mitch Ourso, Iberville.”

P. O. Box 1659, 615 E. Worthey Rd., Gonzales, Louisiana 70707 Telephone (225) 450-1130 – Fax (225) 450-1145 – www.ascensionparish.net – facebook.com/ascensiongov