DAY FOUR: Landrieu, Congressional Delegation Conclude Study of Dutch Water Management

KAMPEN -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today concluded her Congressional Delegation trip to the Netherlands where she studied the Dutch integrated water management system with federal government officials, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers. The Dutch's ability to manage water is world-renowned, and the Netherlands shares many of Louisiana's challenges with protecting populations and economic infrastructure below sea level.

"The people of Louisiana need a new model, and I believe we can incorporate some of the state-of-the-art technologies the Dutch have developed to protect their communities," Sen. Landrieu said. "I am working to ensure we continue sharing ideas and best practices.

"I am also pushing the federal government to recognize the importance of South Louisiana and America's only Energy Coast to the nation. We must commit our country to protecting our communities and way of life.

"The friendship we have with the Netherlands, forged by water, will be an important part of the equation as we continue to rebuild and recover. I want to thank the Netherlands and the Royal Netherlands Embassy for helping our Louisiana delegation understand what it takes to be truly safe."

Site visits and briefings Tuesday through Friday included water management experts and officials in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft and Kampen. The delegation focused on the nuts and bolts of internal water management, both in urban and rural environments. Friday's agenda included a tour and briefing about land that the Netherlands reclaimed from the water, including the Zuyder Zee Project, and a visit to Kampen, a medieval city that has incorporated modern flood protection.

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Netherlands was one of the first nations to extend support to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, including civil engineers and mobile pumps to remove floodwaters in the New Orleans region. The relationship between the Netherlands and Louisiana has continued to grow stronger. In early 2006, Sen. Landrieu and the Royal Netherlands Embassy led an initial CODEL to the Netherlands. Since 2006, Louisiana has made progress in protecting coastal communities, including 100-year flood protection for the New Orleans region to be completed by 2011. This trip will help the state assess remaining challenges. Sen. Landrieu will also explore policies, which include innovative Dutch technologies and practices that can reduce the persistent delays and cost overruns of Corps projects.

Following their historic food of 1953, Dutch officials and engineers developed a comprehensive flood control system to protect the country and emerged as international leaders in the field of integrated water management. While Louisiana and the Netherlands share similar characteristics, Holland has built a10,000-year flood protection system.

Also joining this CODEL: Jackie Clarkson, President of the New Orleans City Council; Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East Regional Director Bob Turner; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Claudia Tornblom, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Management and Budget), and Zoltan Montvai, Civil Works Deputy with the Mississippi Valley Division; Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Staff Director/Chief Counsel Bettina Poirier; New Orleans Director of Disaster Mitigation Dr. Earthea Nance; American Planning Association Executive Director/CEO Paul Farmer; American Society of Engineers President Wayne Klotz; Levees.Org Executive Director Sandy Rosenthal; Center for Planning and Excellence, Camille Manning-Broome; Louisiana Speaks, Lee Einsweiler; and LSU Hurricane Center Interim Director Joseph Suhayda.

Photographs are available for publication:

• Ramspol is home to the world's largest inflatable dam, which is designed to serve as a storm surge barrier: http://landrieu.senate.gov/media/09.05.29_Netherlands4.jpg