By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – The St. Charles Parish Councilman Richard “Dickie” Duhe presented a resolution of objection to the council on June 6, rejecting construction of a new airport in the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

The resolution states information about the Spillway being constructed and completed in 1931 by the Corps of Engineers as a vital element for flood control in the lower Mississippi Valley.

Also stated in addition to the flood control functions were the spillway’s other benefits. It stated, “the nearly 8,000 acres floodway is the site of diverse and extensive recreational activities as well as vitally important as the fish and wildlife derived from the varied habitats and the introduction of fresh water and nutrients into the lake.”

The disadvantages were the Spillway being directly across the river from Entergy’s Waterford 3 nuclear power plant, which could be severely damaged if an airplane crashed into it and last, but not least the effects an airport would cause to the quiet and peaceful neighborhoods of Norco and Montz.

“This will not happen,” Duhe said. “I have heard talk about this before and the community is not in favor. I even talked with residents of LaPlace in the River Forest area, and they are against it too.”

According to Duhe, the resolution was passed by the council 7-1 with Clayton “Snookie” Faucheux voting against it and one absent.

Duhe also said a copy of the resolution will be sent to the U.S. Congressional Delegation, State Delegation, Gov. Kathleen B. Blanco, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Kenner Mayor Phil Capitano, Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard, Airport Director Roy Williams and the New Orleans Aviation Board.