News & Notices
Latest News
NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES AND VISITORS Due to the elevator being replaced in the Plaquemines Parish Government Building located at 8056 Highway 23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 there will be a temporary interruption of service starting January 21, 2010. Completion date for the new elevator is anticipated by February 21, 2010. Until the new elevator is installed, please use the stairs at either end of the building. If you need assistance you may call Byron Williams (Director of Public Service) at 504-297-5560. Plaquemines Parish Government apologizes for any inconvenience and thanks everyone for their patience. *****
Plaquemines Parish Emergency Notification System
FirstCall system allows Plaquemines Parish to share information directly with the public via e-mail, phone, PDAs, pagers, and cell phones during emergencies in which there is a threat to life or property. Click on the following link for registration and more information on FirstCall.
Registration for Plaquemines Parish Emergency Notification System
*** WEBSITE: Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West is the organization responsible for maintaining all existing and new levees that are part of the West Bank and Vicinity Hurricane Flood Protection Project. It is responsible for the areas served by the Algiers Levee District and West Jefferson Levee District. In an effort to educate the public about our organization and the vital role it plays in protection the West Bank of Jefferson and Orleans parishes, the organization’s website is a useful tool for citizens to use as a resource. www.slfpaw.org ***
Fresh Water Siphons 12-17-09 Plaquemines Parish operates three siphons—White Ditch on the East Bank, La Reussite/Naomi on the West Bank, and West Pointe-A-La-Hache. The Caernarvon Diversion is operated by the state. *Naomi/La Reussite is operating at 25%--it has 8 pipes, 2 are currently running. *White Ditch is not running. It’s operated under agreement with the property owner. *West Pointe-A-La-Hache is operating at 25%--it has 8 pipes, 2 are currently running. *Caernarvon (which is operated by the state) has a maximum capacity of 8,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). It’s currently operating at 1,0 00 cfs. **These siphons are monitored by Plaquemines Parish Coastal Zone Management** *** Coyote Sightings Plaquemines Parish Animal Control and Sheriff’s Office employees recently placed traps in Belle Chasse after several coyote sightings were reported. If you see coyotes in your neighborhood, call Animal Control at (504) 394-3510. *** Coastal Plan Update The Army Corps and Louisiana Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority are supporting the parish’s coastal plan. From the Times Picayune: Local governments will have a voice in how the money is spent, although the corps will make the final decision on what projects are built. For several hours Monday, corps officials at the agency's offices on Leake Avenue heard from a steady stream of state and parish officials, representatives of environmental groups, scientists and landowners with ideas about what projects it should build and where. Their suggestions included a long list of projects, most of which have already been proposed for construction under other federal programs. Among them: -- Paying some of the costs of Plaquemines Parish's plans to rebuild wetlands and natural ridges in areas aimed at protecting levees. http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2009/09/army_corps_of_engineers_says_i.html *** Plaquemines Parish Coastal Zone Management recently announced that the application for permits for the first phase of the Plaquemines Restoration and Protection Plan is nearing completion. The application is a joint endeavor between the Army Corps of Engineers and Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. The “Forested Ridges Pilot Initiative” from Boothville to Venice is the first project to be initiated in the plan. District Attorney's New Website Plaquemines Parish D.A. Charles Ballay launched a new website. It is filled with helpful information. The link is www.25thda.org. *** West Nile Virus Information regarding horses and West Nile Virus: - The first case of West Nile virus in horses has been identified in St. Tammany Parish.
- A vaccine is available, horse owners should contact their vet to make sure the vaccination record is up to date.
- The symptoms of West Nile in horses include colic, anemia, walking in circles, depression, and lameness.
- Anyone with suspect cases should call the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Animal Health Services at (225) 925-3980.
Tips to eliminate breeding grounds of mosquitoes: · Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have collected on your property. · Pay special attention to discarded tires. Stagnant water in tires is where many mosquitoes breed. · Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season. · Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. Stagnant water in a wading pool becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed. · Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths. Both provide breeding habitats for domestic mosquitoes. · Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use. Smaller containers will produce many more mosquitoes than a pool will; therefore being diligent about the small breeding sites around your house will be most effective. Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers. Tips to prevent from getting bit by mosquitoes: - Apply repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Do not apply under your clothes or on broken skin.
- To apply repellent to your face, spray on your hands and then rub on your face.
- Adults should always apply repellent to children.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors for long periods of time.
- Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for extended periods of time.
- If you will be outside, you should wear a mosquito repellent containing 20 - 30 percent DEET for adults and no more than 10 percent for children.
- You should also make sure that your house has tight-fitting windows and doors, and that all screens are free of holes.
*** FEMA’s Gulf Coast Recovery Maps
FEMA created a website which provides up-to-date information on projects funded with the agency’s public assistance money. The maps contain figures for recovery projects involving education, health/hospitals, public works, historical/cultural, public safety and criminal justice. The web address below will take you to FEMA’s Recovery Maps.
http://www.femarecovery.gov/gcromaps/ *** 2010 U.S. Census The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years. The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The next census is in 2010. Your participation in the census is required by law. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census. Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year. Visit the official census website: http://2010.census.gov/2010census
Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE The Plaquemines Parish Government has executed a Cooperative Agreement with the State of Louisiana, Department of Natural Resources, Office of Management and Finance for the development of the “Southeast Louisiana Strategic Restoration Implementation Plan.” The plan will include the use of Mississippi River sediments to restore ridges and marsh in Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Jefferson and Lafourche parishes. A main focus of the restoration components of the plan will be to reduce storm surge levels on existing flood protection features such as levees, walls, etc. A major factor to be considered in the plan is the long-term leasing of a dredge in the river to provide a source of sediment for multiple coastal restoration/flood protection projects. A public meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. on December 22, 2009 at Belle Chasse Auditorium, 8398 Hwy 23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 to present the leased dredging concept and to receive input from interested parties in the development of the final specifications for the dredge. Any questions about the Southeast Louisiana Strategic Restoration Implementation Plan or the public meeting should be directed to Mr. Billy Guste at 504-304-2500 or via email to bguste@gcrconsulting.com. Billy Nungesser Parish President *******************
PUBLIC NOTICE The Plaquemines Parish Government is providing locations for W.I.C. services in Plaquemines Parish for the convenience of our residents. The locations selected will include the Health Department in Belle Chasse on Tuesdays and Thursdays, District 1 Council Office in Davant on the third Friday of each month and the Plaquemines Parish Medical Center in Port Sulphur on the 1st Friday of each month. The W.I.C. Program is offered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health. The program has not been available in Plaquemines Parish since Hurricane Katrina. Prior to that date W.I.C. services were offered at Plaquemines Medical Center. This is a nutrition supplement program for Women, Infants, and Children. Anyone interested in receiving this service can call the Plaquemines Parish Health Department at 504-394-3510 or Crescent City W.I.C. at 504-247-0592. Billy Nungesser Parish President ******************* PUBLIC NOTICE Plaquemines Parish Code of Ordinances Section 13-68 Adopted by Parish Council, May 27, 1999 Weeds Trash and Debris Section 13-68 of the Plaquemines Parish Code of Ordinances requires all property owners to keep grass, weeds, and brush below 12 inches in height at all times. Property owners are also required to keep their properties clear of junked vehicles, lumber, appliances, machinery and/or parts, construction debris, and demolition debris, all of which have exhausted its useful capacity. If your property is in violation and you do not correct the violation within a timely basis, your name and property will be added to the Abatement Program. The Abatement Program has entitled the Parish to correct any violation where all costs incurred will be added as a lien on the property. To report a problem, please call your local Parish Council Office who will assign a code number to your request and forward it to Administration. Please help us keep Plaquemines Parish clean and make your community a more enjoyable and healthier place to live. Thank you, Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser *******************
PLAQUEMINES PARISH ANIMAL CONTROL PUBLIC NOTICE DEALING WITH RACCOONS AROUND YOUR HOME Raccoons are found throughout the United States including here in Plaquemines Parish. They are nocturnal creatures, but at times, may be seen during the day. Raccoons may become very bold around human beings, especially in large numbers. For this, unfortunately, they are classified as pests. Omnivorous eaters, raccoons will eat fruit, nuts, insects, and crawfish. You may have seen them around your home searching through your gardens and especially your garbage can. The best way to deal with raccoons is to better manage your property to discourage raccoons from entering. Never feed raccoons. Many of them will raid food trays for dogs and cats. If you have no alternative to feed your dog or cat outdoors, make sure you retrieve the food and water bowls and bring them indoors. Dispose food scraps into tight fitting garbage cans. If you find that raccoons are getting into the can, consider tying the lids to the can with bungee cord or chain. For sheltering, raccoons may get comfortable in attics, under porches or under homes. From spring through the summer, you may find that the raccoons are young. In that case, wait until they are older before removing them from the den. When no young raccoons are present, you can drive raccoons out by putting up bright, flashing lights, turning on a radio set to a talk station, and hanging mesh bags filled with moth balls or soaked in ammonia. When you think the animals have left, seal the opening to where the raccoons have been entering through. If the above mentioned methods do not work, live trapping is a consideration. For a deposit of $30.00, traps will be loaned to anyone having trouble with raccoons. The deposit will be returned as long as the trap is returned in working order. For more information on traps, please call the Plaquemines Parish Animal Control Department at (504) 394-3510. *******************
PLAQUEMINES PARISH AUCTIONS After years of handling auctions in house, in 2008 Plaquemines Parish Government decided to use an off-site company. The company selected was Henderson Auctions of Livingston, LA. Henderson Auction includes Plaquemines Parish in a color brochure mailed to over 60,000 potential buyers. Equipment is exposed to international buyers via the internet broadcasted world-wide. This broad advertising provides Plaquemines Parish an opportunity to receive top dollar for equipment. Henderson Auction picks up equipment and/or vehicles and holds them at their site until auctioned without charging the Parish any storage fees and reducing risk of vandalism. Henderson Auction also handles all necessary paperwork and title transfers for equipment. In 2008, three separate auctions were held for a total in sales of $179,435.00 costing the parish 10% or $17,943.50 for a net gain of $161,491.50. This showed to be most profitable to the parish and saving the parish thousands of dollars in storage fees and depreciation losses. After Hurricane Katrina, the equipment was held so long before an auction was conducted, that theft, depreciation and vandalism had occurred causing the Parishes net profit to be far less than expected. The auction dates are advertised in the local paper, The Plaquemines Gazette, for three consecutive weeks prior to each auction. You can also visit the website for a view of upcoming equipment to be sold as well as submit internet bids. The website address is www.hendersonauctions.com. This process has proven to be the most cost efficient and profitable system available to Plaquemines Parish. We have received several requests from local residents and vendors to conduct a local auction here in the Parish. Once enough equipment is accumulated we will conduct a local Auction here. ******************* Plaquemines Parish Recreation Department is currently putting the final touches on their new website which is now online! Click on the following link to get familiarized with their new site… http://ppgrec.com ******************* Section 16-10. Bonfires, leaf and rubbish fire. (a) Except as provided in (d) herein below, the burning of leaves and yard debris, such as pine needles, pine cones, shrubs, brush and cut timber shall not be a violation of this Chapter, provided that: (1) The fire area shall not be greater than eight (8) feet in diameter; (2) The height of burning materials shall not be greater than four (4) feet; (3) Burning shall only occur between sunrise and one hour before sunset; (4) The fire site shall not be unattended; (5) A functional water hose shall be located next to the fire site; (6) The fire site shall be located at least ten (10) feet from the nearest property line; (7) There shall be no more than one (I) fire site per home site or parcel of land; (8) The fire site shall be located at least fifty (50) feet from any structure, if nearer than fifty (50) feet from a structure a container must be used; (9) The fire shall not emit dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas, soot or cinders in unreasonable quantities; (b) The above restrictions shall not apply in the event that the controlled fire or open burning of leaves and yard debris, as stated herein, is located a distance of one thousand (l000) feet or more from the nearest dwelling. (c) The provisions of this section arc not intended nor shall they lessen the responsibilities of all persons to abide by other ordinances of this Parish, and laws of this State governing the matters herein addressed. (d) Prohibited. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (a) herein above, the provisions of SectioJ1 J 6,10 or any other provision, the burning of leaves and yard debris, such as ·pine needles, pine cones, shrubs, brush and cut timber in Council Districts 2, 3 & 4 are strictly prohibited. (e) Availability, inspection, right of entry, action of fire chief. The local fire chief may at his discretion take immediate action to enter upon the premises where the fire is located under this Section, put the fire out, and take the necessary action to prevent its rekindling In any Instance where the local fire chief believes that the fire created under this Section presents a danger to the public. (f) Interference with fire thief. Any person who interferes with or in my way prevents the local fire chief from entering the premises and putting out an unauthorized fire or a fire in violation of Section 16-10, et. seq., if found to have violated this Section by court of competent jurisdiction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than thirty (30) days of both. (g) Legal responsibility. Any person who causes damage to any structure, or property description, publicly or privately owned, shall assume full liability therefore, under Louisiana Civil Code Articles 664-674 of the Louisiana Civil Code which are hereby adopted by reference. Further, any person who causes damage to any structure, or property description publically or privately owned, if carelessness, inattention or negligence causes any bonfire, or leaf or rubbish fire to do such damage, if found to have violated this Section by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than thirty (30) days or both. (h) Violation. A violation of any of the above restrictions may result in the fire site being considered a nuisance under this Chapter. Nuisance, for the purpose of Section 16-10 above, is defined as dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas, soot or cinders or the specific violations of Section 16-10 (a) (1)-(9) in unreasonable quantities that affect the health, and public safety of the people residing in the vicinity thereof, or presents a more than ordinarily dangerous fire hazard in the vicinity where it is located.
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