Plan Allows Entire Big Easy To Be Rebuilt

"In a much-awaited move that has been painted as a key piece of the rebuilding puzzle, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers on Wednesday released a new flood plain advisory for the flooded areas that, along with a $2.5 billion proposal to build stronger and taller levees, will make it easier for displaced residents to decide whether to rebuild. The wait of such guidelines and worries that some homes may have to be raised by as much as 10 feet have hampered the recovery, experts say.

...But the announcement may be worse news for destroyed communities outside the city. Where New Orleans is likely to be better protected in the future - thanks to plans for storm gates that will keep lake water from rushing up shipping canals and straight into the city, as happened after Katrina, parts of St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes would remain at risk during big storms like Katrina..."