The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-05-05
LEvEE POLICY OUTLINED.
River Commission Defines Course
Under Flood Control Act.

Under Flood Control Act.
The Mississippi River Commission
IN session at New Orleans last Satur-
| day, plainly announced it's policy un-
der the flood control act. The main
tenance Of the existing levee system,
and the conduct of fights against high
water, is in the hands of the levee
| boards from this time on. Construc-
| ton of new levees, the completion of
the great system of levee protection,
is entirely out of their hands. No
levees will be built unless the levee
board first deposits one-third of the
cost. Rights-of-way will have to be
paid for by the leyee boards. Levee
revetment is part of levee construc-
ton, and is included in the one-third
rule. Sub-aqueous or bank protec-
ton, such as the sinking of mattresses,
remains the work of the commission,
although the distinction is not specif-
lcally stated in the resolutions
adopted.
Hunter c. Leake, president of the
Pontchartrain board, asked two ques-
tions with reference to conditions un-
der the new law. One was as to the
time fixed for the commissions policy
to go into effect. The other was as to
the status of work begun under con-
tracts previously given out. Colonel
Townsend replied that the resolutions
contained the answers, and that the
levee boards could have copies of the
resolutions upon application.
Major Frank NJ. Kerr, chief state
engineer, remarked that the tenor of
the resolutions was in line with his
anticipation, but he would prefer to
make thorough study before ventur-
ing an official expression. He stated,
however, that he believed the levee
boards and the state could work out
full compliance with the ruling
While it would require more outlay at
the start, the goal would be reached
so much sooner, and it had always
been the claim that the goal was vital
and must be reached. After the levee
system was complete and turned over,
the responsibility of maintenance
would not be heavy, or expensive,
which would give the board the OPP
portunity to restore their financial
balance.
Asked if the government taking en-
tire charge of levee. construction
would relieve the state engineers Of
most of their duties, Major Kerr said
the high water fights and the duty of
maintenance would more than keep
them busy. They were now very
much overworked and their burden
would not be greatly lightened to any
extent. If the new levee policy
granted the board any more time, it
would be a blessing for the state, for
they could then pay more attention
| to the equally vital subj bjeets Of drain
age and good roads which CONS
pIeted Ievee system would further to
an immense extent.
| The resolutions read by Chairman
Townsend as having been adopted by
the commission were afterwards
amended in executive session, to read
as follows:
/. The Mississippi River Commis-
sion must be governed by and rigidly
conform to the terms Of the flood con-
troll bill, and the hearty cooperation
of all levee boards is looked for in
| order to carry on the work of levee
construction in a satisfactory and
economical manner.
2. The money to be appropriated
under the authority of the flood con-
troll bill is "for controlling the floods
and for the general Improvement OF
the Mississippi river, = etc, and the
amounts to be devoted to the con-
struction of levees and other classes
of work will, as heretofore, be de-
termined by the Mississippi River
Commission from time to time as ap-
propriations are made, and in accord
ance with the policy of the commits
sion as heretofore adopted.
8. Under the laws the amount con-
tributed by local interests "shali not
be less than one-half Of such sums as
may have been allotted by the COM
mission" The commission will deter
mine in each case which proportion is
"just and equitable" when the allot-
ment of funds of successive appropfia-
tions is made No funds can be al
lotted by the commission under the
food control act for levee construc-
ton in any levee district between
the head of the Passes and Rock is.
land, Ill.," unless the contribution OF
funds thereto required by law be nrs1
made.
4. The amounts contributed by To-
cal levee boards must be in current
funds, deposited in the United States
treasury or acceptable depository, 60
the credit of the Mississippi River
Commission, and no allotment VIII De e
made Of contributions received untli
an appropriation has been made Dy
congress, In accordance with ruling
of the treasury department, interest
accruing, if any, on such deposits
may be payable by the depository 70
the levee boards which have mage
such deposits in compliance with the
law.
5. The terms of the flood control
bill prohibit the allotment Of funds 1of