BUILDing A Resilient Region

Description

HBA’s Industry Meeting “Building a Resilient Region” will demonstrate the coordination of multiple entities and their alignment of planned programs, activities and project development regarding flood risk reduction and stormwater management. Our featured speakers will provide information being used to inform changes in Parish drainage, floodplain, and environmental policies, codes, and ordinances.

The presentation will feature the following speakers/representatives: 

• Stormwater Master Plans
  • Melissa Kennedy and John Monzon, HNTB Project Managers
• Louisiana Watershed Initiative
  • Rachelle Sanderson, Region 7 Regional Watershed Coordinator
  • Pat Forbes, PE Executive Director Louisiana Office of Community Development
• Congressman Garret Graves

Following the presentation, join us for a Homebuilders Happy Hour for a open bar and light hors d'oeuvres (included with registration) at the hotel bar, River Rouge, from 4-5PM. 

Win a free year of membership! Any current member (Builder, Associate, or Affiliate) who brings a guest to the Industry Meeting will be entered into a drawing for a free year of membership or $595 HBA Bucks. One entry per guest you bring! Winner will be announced at the Homebuilders Happy Hour that will follow.

*COVID-19 safety measures will be implemented following the guidelines shared by our local health departments and government leaders.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

• Stormwater Master Plans: Melissa Kennedy and John Monzon, HNTB Project Managers

Project manager Melissa Kennedy said the firm will conduct extensive data collection of the city-parish's surface and subsurface drainage systems for the 11 watersheds in East Baton Rouge. The work will include collection of data on more than 55,000 drainage structures, cross sections in over 500 miles of channels and hundreds of bridges and culverts in the city-parish.

It is a guidance document for the implementation of overall drainage system, water quality, and flood risk reduction projects, policies, and strategies.  The Stormwater Master Plan also includes a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that provides a roadmap on how to fund improvements over a designated period of time.

• Louisiana Watershed Initiative: Rachelle Sanderson, Region 7 Regional Watershed Coordinator and Pat Forbes, PE Executive Director Louisiana Office of Community Development

The Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) is a holistic approach to watershed management, that goes beyond conventional mitigation measures and incorporates nature-based solutions. 

The historic floods of 2016 exposed numerous issues with the way the state has handled flood management in the past, leading to an investigation of how Louisiana prepares for intense storm events. In response to this investigation, Gov. John Bel Edwards launched LWI. The Louisiana Watershed Initiative was founded in 2018 with a focus on establishing a regionalized approach to flood risk mitigation throughout the state.  After its founding, the federal government announced that Louisiana would receive a $1.2 billion flood mitigation grant to be distributed to various communities via the Louisiana Watershed Initiative.

• Congressman Garret Graves: Representing the 6th District of Louisiana

More than 750,000 people live in the 13 parishes that make up the sixth district, which includes most of Garret’s hometown of Baton Rouge, the bulk of the Capital City’s suburbs, parts of parishes along both sides of the Mississippi River to the western shores of Lake Pontchartrain and continues south through Thibodaux to Houma. 

For the 116th Congress, Garret is the Ranking Member for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation and is the Ranking Member for the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.  He also serves on the House Natural Resources.

Hosted by our Builder Champions and Industry Partners: 

Builder Champions:
Elite:

• Acadian House Design and Renovation
• Bardwell Homes
• Canebrake Builders
• DSLD Homes
• Le Jardin Development
• Meridian Homes
• Rabalais Homes

Master: 

• Distinctive Homes
• Manchac Homes
• Waguespack Homes

Champion: 

• Blair Construction
• Ivey Construction
• Traditions Construction

Industry Partners:
Platinum: 

• ProSource Wholesale
• Menzie Stone Company

Gold: 

• Arrow Termite & Pest Control
• Gorman Brothers- Appliances/Lighting
• Holmes Building Materials
• M&M Glass Co.

Silver:

• Acadian Home Theater and Automation
• Builders Risk Insurance
• Eatel
• MR Engineering
• Woodburners Inc.
  Bronze: 
• Baum Environmental Group
• DEMCO
• Entergy
• Hunt's Flowers
• Legacy Wealth Partners,
• Pella Windows and Doors of Baton Rouge
• Southeast Engineers
• STONE