Pocono News Section

New Guidelines For Luzerne County's Levee System

New Guidelines For Luzerne County's Levee System - Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 5:53PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 @05:53pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A Luzerne County agency is concerned new federal guidelines could cost the county millions of dollars. Local leaders met on Wednesday to discuss some of those future challenges.

Construction crews are well on their way to creating Luzerne county's multi-million dollar Rver Front Project, complete with two portals, a river landing and a seven-hundred seat ampi-theater. It is the final step in the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project.

Luzerne County Commissioner Stephen Urban said "It's important to maintain the levee certainly because that's what protects the community."

Now, in response to Hurricane's Katrina and Rita the federal government is implementing new levee safety standards every five years, that could cost the county and it's residents millions. Jim Brozena oversees Luzerne County’s Flood Protection Authority. He explained it will cost "Almost a million a mile and we have 15 miles. That's a big number to deal with every five years. But, the problem is we're going to have to find money because the financial impacts to community as flood insurance values possibly triple."

The U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers designed the county's new levee system. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said an outside company must do the levee's re-certification. Commissioner Urban asked, "Why is the Corp not doing, not doing the inspection every five years?”

Colonel Peter Mueller with the Army Corp Of Engineers responded, "We do inspections on a regular basis. Certification fees become a challenge and in most cases response of local sponsors."

It's an issue Commissioners are concerned with. Commissioner Urban added, "That would have a huge impact on the budget here in Luzerne County."

Luzerne County leaders hope to learn more at a conference in St. Louis next month. Urban added, "They're going to come back explain standards and make recommendations to the board and forward information to the Senators and Congressman in the area."

Officials said the riverfront project will be complete later this year.