[hoosiermama]

That possibility was one of the concerns that led Congress in 1997 to set aside $500,000 for FEMA to create "a comprehensive analysis and plan of all evacuation alternatives for the New Orleans metropolitan area."

Frustrated two years later that nothing materialized, Congress strengthened its directive. This time it ordered "an evacuation plan for a Category 3 or greater storm, a levee break, flood or other natural disaster for the New Orleans area."

The $500,000 that Congress appropriated for the evacuation plan went to a commission that studied future options for the 24-mile bridge over Lake Ponchartrain, FEMA spokesman Butch Kinerney said.

The hefty report produced by the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission "primarily was not about evacuation," said Robert Lambert, the general manager for the bridge expressway. "In general it was an overview of all the things we need to do" for the causeway through 2016.

Lambert said he could not trace how or if FEMA money came to the commission. Nor could Shelby LaSalle, a causeway consulting engineer who worked on the plan.

LaSalle said it would be "ludicrous" to consider his report an evacuation plan, although it had a transportation evacuation section, dated Dec. 19, 1997. That part was tacked on mainly to promote the causeway for future designation as an official evacuation route, LaSalle said.

"We didn't do anything for FEMA," he added.

Asked why the congressional mandate was never fulfilled, Barry Scanlon, senior vice president in the consulting firm of former FEMA Director James Lee Witt, said he believes the agency did what it needed when it gave the money to the state.

[hoosiermama]

DOn't miss this enlightening article....Can't believe it from AP

[Bob]

...consulting firm of former clinton FEMA Director James Lee Witt who is now doing consulting work for LA governor Blanco

[ez]

Three years before Bush was elected...

[ken5050]

FYI...just noticed on the History Channel tonight, 8PM and midnight, EST a program about the building of the causeway..obvious done pre-Katrina..

[OldFriend]

As mrs. grifter stated, the FEMA under the klinton's was quite different from this FEMA.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

[maica]

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[steveegg]

The last time I checked, James Lee Witt was running FEMA and S(l)ick Willie was occupying the Oval Office in both 1997 and 1999.

No wonder the DemonRATs want another 9/11 commission with Witt on it; they need to once again cover their own asses.

[linkinpunk]

So Rove's plan for the destruction of New Orleans started in 1997, when Bush was governor of Texas?

Wow. He IS powerful.

[ApplegateRanch]

"In general it was an overview of all the things we need to do" for the causeway through 2016.

Did it include a section on rebuilding it after being destroyed by a storm in 2005?

[reg45]

If the money was set aside in 1997 and not properly spent by the state government, it must be Bill Clinton's fault.