Louisiana Officials Say Rock Statues Reduce Hurricane Protection

Officials with the East Jefferson Levee District are warning members of the public not to use rocks placed along the edge of Lake Pontchartrain to build castles or other structures on the foreshore protection area.

Executive director Fran Campbell tells The Times-Picayune the impromptu art works will reduce the effectiveness of the rock-based foreshore protection to slow storm surges and accompanying waves. The rock apron along the waterfront is built to a specific height and width.

While police patrolling the levee will issue a warning to first offenders, Campbell warned that a repeat offender could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.

The foreshore protection cost more than $22.5 million to cover about 83 acres of the lakefront with the rock.