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Atchafalaya Basin group urges parish support for basin-management plan and outlines lawsuit
Summary
Dean Wilson of Atchafalaya Basin Keeper presented a basin-management plan to the police jury, warned about lost flood capacity and sedimentation, and said the group has filed a lawsuit challenging aspects of the state’s supply program; a community meeting is set for Dec. 10 in Bayou Pigeon.
Dean Wilson, director of Atchafalaya Basin Keeper, briefed the police jury on the East Grand Lake project and a proposed basin-management plan on Nov. 25, saying sedimentation and lost flow capacity threaten long-term flood protection and local communities.
Wilson reviewed historic floodplain changes, cited LIDAR and other mapping showing channels filling and argued that targeted dredging, sediment traps and engineered conveyance could restore capacity. He said the group has filed a lawsuit challenging the state supply program and its approvals and distributed information to jurors; he invited jurors and the public to a community meeting on Dec. 10 at the Bayou Pigeon Heritage Center for further discussion.
Jurors asked technical questions about historic closures, access, and impacts on hunters and local stakeholders. Wilson urged starting at the state level and building federal support; he said two parishes already filed amicus briefs and asked this jury to consider similar support.
What happens next: Atchafalaya Basin Keeper will send the lawsuit and meeting materials to jurors and the public; jurors may consider formal support or an amicus brief after review.
