State sees 612 new cases today; total jumps to 32,662
May 13, 2020
Opening Up Lafourche: Parish President discusses Phase One, Regional Testing, Contact Tracing and More
May 13, 2020
From the Friends of Bayou Lafourche:
At its May 12th 2020 meeting, the Lafourche Parish Council approved a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District to provide $1.3 million of the parish’s GOMESA funds towards the Bayou Lafourche Weir Removal Project.
As part of the MRRBL (Mississippi River Reintroduction into Bayou Lafourche) series of projects, the removal of the weir plays a critical role in the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District’s ability to pump more fresh water into the Bayou Lafourche in order to protect our endangered coast due to saltwater intrusion. The only true long-term mitigation for this continued encroachment is to increase the fresh water supply into Bayou Lafourche from the Mississippi River, and removal of the weir is a large part of the MRRBL project list.
The Thibodaux weir was constructed in 1969 to create a water reservoir for water treatment facilities and sugar can mills north of the weir. While it has served its purpose, it has slowed the flow of water in Bayou Lafourche, and greatly restricted boat travel in the bayou. With the Lockport Water Control Structure in place, and the Assumption Parish Water Control structure being nearly complete, the water elevations of Bayou Lafourche can be safely managed without needing the weir in Thibodaux. In addition to coastal erosion benefits, removal of the weir will greatly increase the recreational potential in the bayou.
In August of 2019, the BLFWD hired Duplantis Design Group to perform the survey, regulatory compliance, demolition plan, and permitting for removal of the weir. A majority of that work has been completed with the demolition plan and permitting in the very final stages. The project is expected to go out for bid with the completion of the Assumption Parish Water Control structure in mid-late June.
Archie Chaisson III, Lafourche Parish President said “Lafourche Parish is proud to partner with the BLFWD on the removal of the weir. This is a project that we have all worked on and dreamed of for years and to finally see it become a reality is exciting. This project will not only open up the bayou for better flow but the impacts to the recreational use of Bayou Lafourche will be tremendous.”
Ben Malbrough, Executive Director of the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, said “The Weir Removal Project has been one of the BLFWD’s most popular slated projects, and it is exciting to see it coming together. I am tremendously grateful for the support received from Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson, the Lafourche Parish Council, and Lafourche Parish Coastal Zone Administrator Amanda Voisin. With the weir being removed, we will be one big step closer to the completion of the MRRBL series of projects.”
Lafourche Parish Councilman Michael Gros said “I would like to thank my fellow council members and the BLFWD commissioners for supporting this project as well as everyone from Donaldsonville to Port Fourchon that has been involved in the reintroduction of freshwater into Bayou Lafourche. Having the bayou fully navigable after 50 plus years of it being blocked will help more families enjoy and recreate in this precious resource”
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Friends of Bayou Lafourche Inc. was formed by several concerned community members and the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District in 2016 and is recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The mission of FOBL is to raise the awareness of the importance of Bayou Lafourche and its revitalization, through education and informational outreach, and by the creation of recreation and beautification opportunities along the bayou.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Ben Malbrough at 985.856.1579 or email at ben.malbrough@blfwd.org
