Lafourche Parish--Recovery Vision

A Vision for a Sustainable Future

Lafourche is a community that has been proactively working to reduce the impacts related to major storms while supporting and sustaining the culture and history that makes it unique. The people live in harmony with the land, the bayou, and the sea. They have accomplished a resurgence of cultural identity, balancing tradition with outside influences. This combination enables the community to grow and prosper, transitioning from disaster recovery to a viable, sustainable community with an eye toward the future (“Lache pas la patate”).

Lafourche Parish stakeholders are working together to achieve their vision. This is being accomplished through positive actions designed to bring unity of action and a thoughtful approach toward their future, as well as that of adjacent areas. Parish residents recognize that the essence of Lafourche is based upon the land, the bayou, and the sea. They also acknowledge the need to learn to live within the natural environs and have absorbed painful lessons from recurring damage and devastation wrought through increasingly violent storm-tornado-hurricane events.

When their vision is achieved, Lafourche will realize:

• Safe, secure intermodal connectivity to Port Fourchon to enhance the economic growth of the oil industry and continued growth of job opportunities.
• A diverse economy that is not vulnerable to national and state economic shifts or disruption from storms.
• An efficient, multi-lane route heading north that provides easier accessibility and supports planned economic and residential growth.
• Coastal restoration and flood control which make Lafourche Parish a safe and more prosperous community.
• Local residents who work cooperatively and regionally to maintain levee & flood protection in conjunction with the other lines of defense to the Louisiana Coastal Areas.
• Well site disposal locations have been cleaned and tank farms are protected from storm damage.
• Adequate transportation for local residents who do not have their own means of transportation.
• A sustainable shrimp, crab, and oyster industry which continues to provide economic stability and job opportunities.
• Comprehensive plans and programs for Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness that provide protection to population and property in endangered areas and enhanced guidance to emergency responders for the most efficient use of parish resources.
• Enhanced emergency response communications equipment and a state of the art emergency operations center that enables responders to provide targeted, prioritized response to emergency calls on a daily basis, and be available for coordinated administration and management of disaster events.
• Pre-identified shelter areas and emergency staff to provide for displaced populations in the event of evacuation/sheltering needs of the Parish.
• Local farms and ranches which maintain sufficient agricultural production yields and prices to cover their costs of production, debt payments on land and equipment, and living expenses, providing farmers with a reasonable standard of living.
• Parish residents have clear, clean potable water and a working community sewer system that utilizes treated effluent to add fresh water and improve water quality in the bayou.
• Sufficient affordable housing within the parish that meets IRC 2000 & FEMA Flood Requirements, providing adequate housing for all residents.