Council asks U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corps to consider dredging Javelin Canal after Hurricane Ida

The Lafourche Parish Council unanimously approved a resolution Nov. 11 asking the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider dredging the channel from Javelin Canal to the Terrebonne Parish Channel.

Councilman Lorraine moved the resolution and described navigation problems since Hurricane Ida, saying boats bound for Port Fourchon have been diverted into Bay Lafourche and that the alternative channel is narrower in places, increasing the risk of accidents and accelerating wear on parish and state bridges. "This has to be addressed," Lorraine said, urging coordination with the Port Commission and federal agencies.

The chair read the resolution aloud, which cites safety and commerce impacts and specifically requests the Coast Guard and the Corps to investigate and consider dredging the channel. The council voted to adopt the resolution; the chair noted Councilman Adams briefly stepped out of chambers during the vote and recorded the final tally with one member absent at the moment the vote was taken.

Why it matters: council members said restoring navigable access to Port Fourchon is important for local commerce and safety and could reduce heavy traffic through Bay Lafourche. The resolution is a formal request for federal agencies to study and consider action — it does not commit local funds or mandate dredging.

Next steps: the resolution will be transmitted to the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their review; the council requested that the port commission also examine the issue.