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Engineers outline $240,000 Phase 1 drainage master plan to help Iberia Parish compete for grants
Summary
C.H. Fenstermaker presented a six‑month Phase 1 drainage master plan costing about $240,000 that would collect data, review ordinances, and create hydraulic models to help the parish prioritize projects and strengthen grant applications. Council discussed leveraging CPRA/Coastal Protection funds and updating ordinance standards and FEMA maps.
Brooke Newland of C.H. Fenstermaker told the council the Phase 1 scope is a focused preplanning and data‑collection effort designed to set the foundation for a parishwide drainage master plan. "Phase 1 is pretty much the preplanning data collection effort," Newland said, describing a six‑month schedule, stakeholder engagement (up to four meetings), ordinance review and model scoping.
Newland estimated the cost at about $240,000 and said the phase will inventory existing studies and coordinate models so the parish can show benefit‑cost ratios required for state and federal grants. Council members repeatedly raised FEMA‑map limitations and said the models could be used as the parish’s 'best available data' to inform updated drainage ordinances.
Council members discussed funding. One member noted roughly $3 million in Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA/''Gold Mesa'') funds are available and suggested Phase 1 could be paid from those resources with CPRA reimbursements to follow. Members emphasized the need for a living plan that survives administrations and can be used to prioritize projects and improve competitiveness for post‑storm funding.
Members asked whether existing drainage studies would be incorporated; Newland and councilmembers confirmed previously completed models (for example, Coteau study models) will be integrated. The council signaled support for proceeding but discussed timing, ordinance updates and long‑term commitment to complete subsequent phases.
