A parish presenter during public comment said a 2024 survey identified 232 derelict and abandoned vessels across Terrebonne waterways and described ongoing grant applications and preparatory steps for removal.

Kelly Jeffries, identifying herself and presenting the project materials, said survey work using imagery, lidar and side-scan sonar produced an inventory of 232 vessels in Bayou Terrebonne, Grand Cayou, Petite Cayou and Dularge. She told the committee the parish has allocated $1 million for removal and that staff had applied to the BoatUS Foundation for an additional $1 million. Jeffries said she is preparing a NOAA marine debris removal grant application and that the NOAA application requires community engagement and agreement on the target list.

Jeffries said the survey package includes photographs, lidar imagery and side-scan records for each identified vessel and that project staff can share KMZ and spreadsheet files. She described a budget worksheet presented in the packet and said the slide showed a rough cost estimate; she also said the team planned to request $5,000,000 in one of the grant applications. Jeffries said the parish is preparing procurement materials for removal and considering water-quality monitoring and public engagement and education.

On legal process, Jeffries said the parish is following Louisiana law and working with the parish legal department on public notices prior to removal; she said boats left in place for 30 days without removal may be eligible for classification as derelict under the state process. Committee members asked about identification of owners and pollution risk during removal; Jeffries said the survey showed most vessels lacked identifying marks, that the parish will notify the U.S. Coast Guard two weeks before removals, and that pollution-containment measures (for example, booms) have been used in past efforts.

Committee members and the presenter said the parish carried out a similar cleanup after prior storms and that staff would return with procurement and detailed removal plans as grant funding and legal steps advance.