The original plan from the 1970's had been for the Army to install 21 jetties for hurricane protection.

He said that the city had a commitment and financing for hurricane protection beyond what it had ever had before.

Different types of hurricane protection were proposed to protect the southern Louisiana region.

That loss typically should be covered by hurricane protection, he said.

"And having Category 5 hurricane protection in New Orleans is essential for its long-term recovery."

"We now have the commitment and the funding for hurricane protection at a level that we have never had before."

This is hurricane protection lost forever - habitat and flood control converted to quick cash, one bag of mulch at a time.

On 29 August 2005, the hurricane protection authorized was between 60-90% complete; and the projected date of completion was estimated to be 2015.

The disagreement underscores the difficulty of evaluating risk in hurricane protection here, where even dirt is a contentious issue.

Long Island's coastline is a dynamic coastal system, and more hurricane protection would be achieved by working with nature, not against it.