Council confronts Corps permitting, mitigation costs after crews stop cleaning some laterals
Councilors and staff debated why Public Works stops dredging laterals when maps show wetlands; staff said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has required permitting and mitigation in some cases, which can be expensive. Councillors warned that leaving silted laterals creates impoundments that may increase flood risk.
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Council members pressed Public Works and administration about recent changes in maintenance practice: crews have stopped dredging laterals where current maps identify wetlands. Jason Castillo, director of public works, said some earlier excavation lacked Corps permits and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intervened on a previous canal project; the corps required mitigation and found the parish in violation in that instance.
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