Levees.org got a dress rehearsal

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Interconnected sheet piling at the east side north breach site of the Industrial Canal looks like a giant metal grosgrain ribbon. Photo/Francis James

Updated July 1, 2014

After denying an 11th hour block attempt by the Corps of Engineers, the Louisiana State Advisory Board has tabled Levees.org’s nomination of two New Orleans levee breach sites to the National Register of Historic Places on a technicality.

Here’s what happened.

Over a month ago, the Louisiana State Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO) notified the Corps of Engineers that its property, the Industrial Canal breach site, was being considered for nomination to the Register. This is required.

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Levees.org to Justify Listing Levee Breaches to National Register

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Bellaire Drive immediately in front of 17th Street Canal breach site

Levees.org will state its case to list two New Orleans levee breach sites to the prestigious National Register of Historic Places on Thursday at the Louisiana State Capitol.

According to Jim Gabbert, historian with the DC National Register Office, Levees.org’s nomination of the 17th Street Canal and Industrial Canal breach sites is ground-breaking. “This (the catastrophe) is something that cannot be ignored,” he said.

WHAT: Press conference (immediately after stating case)
WHEN: August 18, 2011 at approx 3pm.
WHERE: Capitol Park Welcome Center, 7702 North River Road, Baton Rouge

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N.O. City Council Approves Quest to List Breach Sites to National Register

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Members of the Gentilly community install a historic Plaque at the London Avenue Canal breach site. Photo/Hubie Vigreux

The New Orleans City Council unanimously approved a resolution proposed by Levees.org to list the New Orleans breach sites to the National Register of Historic Places.

Sponsored by Susan Guidry (District A) and co-sponsored by Jon Johnson (District E) the resolution supports Levees.org’s quest to list the 17th Street Canal and the Industrial Canal breach sites to the prestigious Register.

The nomination explains how the breaches had direct nationwide implications for the 55% of the American population who live in counties protected by levees.

After the horrific levee breach disaster, Congress passed the first ever National Levee Safety Act, ordered the first ever levee inventory, and created uniform inspection guidelines to “ensure that levee systems around the nation provide the protection they should.”

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