Flood victims from Bayou Black and Gibson kept pressure on local lawmakers Tuesday night, as more than two dozen attended the Terrebonne Parish Council's Public Services Committee meeting.
Those communities, along with Schriever, experienced the brunt of parish flooding associated with Tropical Storm Allison in early June.
Arthur Breaux, a Bayou Black resident, said he has heard of drainage projects for Schriever and wanted to know what was in store for his area.
"I want to know what you've accomplished for Ward 8 and Ward 9," he asked council members.
The question touched off a two-hour discussion, which concluded with a motion to draft a resolution to request Emergency Watershed Protection funds made available by the federal government after Tropical Storm Allison. The resolution also included a request for the area's congressional delegation of Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., John Breaux. D-La., and Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-Chackbay, to meet in Houma to discuss flood concerns.
Council Chairman Ray Boudreaux said it is the congressional delegation's duty to help secure funds to ease flooding.
"We put them in office and they should work with this parish and this government," he said.
"We represent 120,000 people," said Councilman J.B. Breaux. "If that doesn't turn their heads I don't know what will."
Councilman Harold Lapeyre agreed.
"We need to lean on these people who are influential and bring them to the table and get the money," he said. "We're not talking about building the Hoover Dam. We're just trying to correct a problem that is not that immense."
Some of the solutions discussed were simple, such as cleaning lateral drainage canals and ditches.
Some council members said it is time to work on a comprehensive solution to flooding for the future.
"Right now were working in a reactive mode," said Councilman Clayton Voisin. "We're putting out fires in the Bayou Black area. We need to work on a pro-active plan. I plead for the administration to come to us with the dollars and cents in a plan and let's get to work and get this done."
Parish Administrator Al Levron also told the residents the parish is working toward instituting permitting work on all proposed drainage projects in the area.
Susan Boudreaux, a Bayou Black resident, said she was encouraged by what she heard from council members Tuesday night. However, she said she wants results.
"Can't we stop spending money on studies?" she asked. "Can't we just get it done? I've worked very hard and I strive to keep what I have and I don't want to lose it. We can't wait another two, three, or four years."
Council members said they would pass the resolution tonight in an effort to secure federal money for the projects during the current federal fiscal year.