LRA OKs $199,000 for St. Mary’s recovery

St. Mary Parish is among a half-dozen south Louisiana parishes to share $41 million in recovery aid following the recent decision by the Louisiana Recovery Authority board to approve long-term recovery plans.

St. Mary is slated to get $199,000 to update its hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness plans; improve the safety and capacity at the Harry P. Williams Airport; interconnect the municipal portable water system; and improve drainage and flood control in the parish.

“Local communities have identified long-term recovery projects that will not only address immediate recovery needs, but will also help to rebuild infrastructure safer, stronger and smarter than before,” John T. Landry, head of the LRA’s Infrastructure Task Force said in a statement.

New Orleans will get the bulk of the $200 million in federal block grants – $117 million. The money is being distributed on a formula based on hurricane damage.

Among the others to receive money are: Jefferson, $14.3 million; Plaquemines, $12.8 million; Cameron, $8.5 million; Calcasieu, $5.6 million; and Beauregard, $178,000.