FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: John Hall

Possible membership of Mitigation Committee outlined
Group will guide $35 million lock-impact mitigation plan

NEW ORLEANS --

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its consulting team have named organizations and stakeholders being asked to nominate members of a citizen committee to oversee and guide a $35-million Community Impact Mitigation Plan that will parallel the replacement of a navigation lock in New Orleans.

The Corps and its consulting team, headed by Gregory C. Rigamer & Associates Inc. (GCR), expect to name 8 to 12 members to the Community-Based Mitigation Committee. Recommendations are being sought from the following organizations and stakeholders to represent the impacted area in connection with the $585 million replacement of the Industrial Canal Lock:

• Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Council Inc.
• Bywater Neighborhood Association
• Holy Cross Neighborhood Association
• Desire/Florida Area Community Council
• Faith-based community
• Merchants
• Holy Cross School
• St. Bernard Parish area

Representation is earnestly solicited from, but not limited to, the areas above.

Also, the Corps and the GCR team are enlisting technical advisors to provide expertise to help the Mitigation Committee make recommendations for mitigation programs. These advisors are expected to represent several departments of the City of New Orleans as well as other government and private agencies.

The Mitigation Committee's first meeting is expected in January.

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