Government units in charge of New Orleans levees that werebreached or overtopped during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita haveagreed to pay $20.8 million to owners of properties damaged by theflooding.

The proposed settlement will be the subject of hearings inApril, according to the announcement of U.S. District Court JudgeStanwood. R. Duval Jr. in New Orleans.

According to attorney Rob Warren, with the law firm of Joseph M.Bruno, the number of plaintiffs who are part of the class action isunclear, but 450,000 claims have been filed since the 2005storms.

The settlement involves cases brought against the Orleans LeveeDistrict, the Board of Commissioners of the Orleans Levee District,the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District, the Board of Commissioners ofthe Lake Borgne Basin Levee District, the East Jefferson LeveeDistrict, the Board of Commissioners of the East Jefferson LeveeDistrict, their insurer, and all related people.

Other plaintiffs include the Board of Commissioners of theSoutheast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, the SoutheastLouisiana Flood Protection Authority-East and their insurers, andall related people.

Still pending is the major levee case, an action against theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for the Mississippi RiverGulf Outlet navigation channel, which was involved in the flooding,said Mr. Warren. Dismissals of several suits against contactors andengineers that did levee work are under appeal.

The agencies involved in the settlement were alleged to havebeen responsible for levees that were improperly designed,inspected or maintained, leading to property damage and personalinjury.

While settling, the defendants said "the levees failed forreasons beyond their control and they did nothing wrong," accordingto the announcement.

Property owners in the settlement class include those in theParishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard.

If the settlement is approved, the court said it will appoint anindependent "Special Master" to oversee and administer thesettlement funds.

The deadline for objections to the settlement is March 13. Botha toll free number (888-287-5893) and Web site(www.LeveeBreachClass.com) have been established for the case.