N.O. pump 'storm-proofing' may lack funds

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The "storm-proofing" of New Orleans-area pumping stations is proceeding, but funds may run out before every such project is completed, an official says.

The fifth round of Jefferson Parish, La., pump station storm-proofing contracts were let by the Army Corps of Engineers last month in an effort to guard them from breaking down during major hurricanes, but a corps official said it's problematic that all of the more expensive projects in the city of New Orleans would get done, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Sunday.

Hurricane Protection Office executive Rick Kendrick told the newspaper that while federal funding appropriated after Hurricane Katrina is available for 12 of the 15 storm-proofing projects on the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board's wish list, the others may have to wait.

"In Orleans Parish, it's a little more problematic," Kendrick told the newspaper. "We told the Sewerage & Water Board all along, we're confident we can get the top 12 projects there, but we never promised that we could get all 15."

The pump station upgrades include beefing up structures and adding elevated equipment to enable the pumps and their human operators to better withstand major hurricanes.