Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom. Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry our successes and zest for living to future generations.

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Letter to Louisiana Governor Mike Foster; Re: Do away with the levees & let the river have her natural alluvial processes rebuild the Delta region

May 22, 2003

Honorable Mike Foster
Governor
State of Louisiana
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004

Dear Governor Foster:

As you proceed toward the end of your second term, you are in a position to broach for public discussion ideas that would generate too much controversy for an incumbent seeking re-election or seeking to maintain control of the legislature.

Here is one of those ideas some will label “visionary” and others will label “crackpot” – I urge you to have your staff study it and then present it to your coastal erosion advisers and commissioners and to the public for public debate.

The idea is to do away with Mississippi and back levees below Chalmette and below Belle Chasse and thereafter do only the civil engineering needed to keep a navigation channel open through Plaquemines Parish to the Gulf. Let the river have her head and natural alluvial processes rebuild the Delta region.

The population of the affected areas is low, and those who wish to continue to live there without levee protection certainly could. To the extent the State might owe “just compensation” for inverse condemnation or owe damages to property owners, the issue could be addressed by laws and/or constitutional amendments, e.g., to place venue for civil actions out of de-levee-ing in East Baton Rouge Parish and to create a board like the doctor’s malpractice board to fix the amounts due to claimants administratively before any recourse to the Courts.

I suspect a one-time “buyout” (i.e., paying for any alleged diminutive of values caused by cessation of the levee programs) may cost far less over thirty years than ongoing levee preservation and maintenance and rebuilding after storms.

I’m no expert, but please ask your experts to give this a serious look.

With respectful best regards,

Sincerely yours,

Bruce E. Naccari

cc: Coastal Commissioners