A Novel Approach to Rebuilding New Orleans

Despite the comments of Speaker Hastert, it seems like the rebuilding of New Orleans is a forgone conclusion. However, we are heading into a 20 to 40 year hurricane cycle during which it's likely New Orleans will be hit again and again. In order to avoid the type of human catastrophe wreaked by Katrina, the State of Lousiana and the Federal Government should address the primary problem with New Orleans: it is below sea level.

The most obvious manner to handle this is to elevate the destroyed parts of New Orleans to sea level or above. This would be done in two parts:

1) Landfill from the other 48 Continental States should be diverted to New Orleans. This would be a major undertaking, comparable to the Big Dig in Boston, and would provide jobs to many of the displaced underclass. The destroyed houses and building would be the base of the landfill.

2) Build new homes, with foundations above sea level, on the new land. This could be done either by traditional home construction firms, or by a habitat for humanity type program which would give houses to the displaced residents who came back to work on the landfill and home building projects. Of course some combination of the two construction means could be employed.

This may strike many people as similar to the New Deal's WPA. And I suppose it is. But given the consensus that we will rebuild, it would accomplish something necessary: preventing further Hurricane damage to one of our nation's oldest cities and most important ports. Furthermore, it would provide jobs for the displaced residents of New Orleans.

The Obvious Question: Who Will Pay for This?
Ideally, it will be paid for with a combination of Federal and State funds. I would also expect the insurance industry to pony up a sizable chunk of the money. After all, one reason for doing this is to prevent similar disasters in the future which they would otherwise be required to pay for. Additionally, Louisiana may even be able to charge some states for taking the landfill.