Port contributes to lock operations

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission and South Lafourche Levee District are teaming up to pay the operational costs of the Leon Theriot Lock south of Golden Meadow.

The two entities inked an intergovernmental agreement last Wednesday that calls for the commission to contribute $200,000 for a five-year period to help pay the lock’s operating expenses. Originally set aside to help pay lock construction, the funds will instead pay labor costs to have the system manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Because of navigation concerns, the locks are manned on a round the clock basis,” said Windell Curole, general manager of the levee district. “It’s a decision made for safety reasons for both the structure and the vessels moving through it.”

The four-man rotation calls of an operator to work a 12 hour/seven-day-on, seven-day-off schedule at the lock.

Chett Chiasson, executive director of the port commission, said the state provided funds to complete the lock without the port’s contribution.

“The commission had originally committed $2 million for lock construction, but it turned out not to be needed,” he said. “However, we are glad to be able to help out the levee district in this way because the proper and safe operation of the lock plays a vital role in the daily operations at Port Fourchon, as well as the marine traffic up and down Bayou Lafourche.”

The lock was completed in November 2009 at a cost of approximately $25 million.