The Majority Rules: The Area of Louisiana That the US Will Forfeit...Life Has A Price

I had a place down there. Pre-Katrina levees will be in place, but certified levees... the kind you need to get insurance, will not be. At least that's the way it looks. It's suprising because of all the oil service industries down there, and the fact that it's home to over 14,000 people. But, insurance privilages will be grandfathered out. In other words, people who were there before can maintain their policy and rebuild, but no new policies will be written. That said, when I rebuild, it will be elevated 15 feet, at least. It's really sad because at the heart of it, a decision has been made to abandon this area, at least long term, when solutions to the erroding coast are out there. Bottom line is, we'll just have to do it ourselves, and that's ok. When we get our oil royalties, which I believe will happen... all areas will be protected substantially and properly. It's just going to take a while.

Sean, like I said, I had a house down there. It's destroyed now, but it'll be back. I have many friends down there as well. But you are off base by saying that these people are wealthy. Most are poor. But that's not the issue.

I agree that the federal gov't has turned their back on them. But I also wouldn't say that it's "over" for them. If it is, someone needs to go down there and tell them because many are rebuilding. Water service is back... power and gas are also back. In the long term, the state of Louisiana will not allow that area to return to nature. That is, if we get our oil royalties. If not, pre Katrina levees will be in place, but structures will be uninsurable unless elevated. Believe me, I've been going back and forth with my insurance company about it, along with parish officials during my rebuild. So, bottom line is this:

1)No levees: people elevate their homes and businesses
2)Certified new levees: business as usual on the road to a prosperous future

However, to say that the parish is done forever is premature at best. My place, currently being reconstructed is 3 miles south of Buras... the point of first landfall. Plaquemines will be there for years to come. What kind of shape it takes is another question. Probably a lot less people and services, but the same amount of oil service. I wouldn't give up on it yet, even though I do agree that the feds have.

To the question of "what is down there?"... I was just there about 2 weeks ago. Aside from a few tents or small trailers selling convenience store-type items, there is nothing. Almost 100% of all structures were destroyed, and few have started to rebuild. So, quite literally, nothing is available down there. But one thing that the area will always have is great fishing, and that's why I'm rebuilding my place. Interesting fact is that a few times, that area was named the world's best fishing spot.