"Why aren't they constantly kept up?"
My understanding (I have some friends who used to live in the area) is that the situation was more complex than just the levees. They have needed for many decades to do some major work down there and the state lawmakers kept saying that they didn't have the money, the federal gov't should do it. The feds offered to match funds but the LA lawmakers wouldn't get serious about putting up money for it, they wanted it done for free (i.e., the feds do it).
I'm sure the levee repair was "pocket change" compared to what it will cost NOW! Typical GOVERNMENT BEAUROCRATIC B.S.!!!!
Thanks for the info.
The feds offered to match funds but the LA lawmakers wouldn't get serious about putting up money for it, they wanted it done for free (i.e., the feds do it).
If it were my city I would want my levees kept up even if I had to pay for it...perish the thought.