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Cameron Parish police jury adopts UTV ordinance, confirms appointments and funds, and approves coastal-litigation settlement
Summary
At its March 10 session the Cameron Parish Police Jury adopted an ordinance restricting utility-terrain vehicles on parish roads, approved multiple appointments and funding allocations (including $20,547 for LSU AgCenter), and approved litigation recommendations and a settlement with Oxy Anadarko after executive session.
The Cameron Parish Police Jury on March 10 adopted a new local ordinance regulating utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) on parish roads and carried a slate of routine and significant votes, including board appointments, a funding allocation to the LSU AgCenter, and post-executive-session litigation actions.
UTV ordinance: The jury opened a public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 14 (motor vehicles and traffic), Article 3, Section 14-38. The draft ordinance defines "utility terrain vehicle" by width and weight parameters; permits UTV operation on parish streets with posted speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.; requires a minimum equipment list (headlamps, turn signals, mirrors, windshield wipers where applicable, seat belts and a vehicle identification number); requires registration with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles as an off-road vehicle and liability insurance consistent with Louisiana Revised Statute 32:900(B); sets a minimum driver age of 21; and allows subdivisions to adopt covenants prohibiting UTV use on private streets. After hearing no public comments, the jury voted to adopt Section 14-38.
Appointments and routine approvals: The jury approved multiple reappointments and appointments to local boards and districts, including Leonard Rishard to Fire Protection District No. 14, Vicky Trae to the Lower Cameron Hospital District No. 2, and Shelley Medlock to Water Works District No. 11. The jury also approved the five-year, no-charge renewal of the Big Lake ball-field lease and authorized a letter of appreciation to the landowner.
Funding and grants: The jury authorized allocation of $20,547 to the LSU AgCenter for 2025 extension programs and approved the Police Jury Association annual dues as listed in the record. The jury also authorized the administrator to submit an application to the Delta Regional Authority strategic planning program and ratified the president's prior authority to sign certain CDBG urgent-need project documents.
Executive session and litigation actions: The jury entered executive session to receive recommendations from special counsel Chad Mudd regarding Cameron Parish coastal-zone litigation. After returning to open session, jurors approved special-counsel recommendations that included dismissal of certain defendants and continued litigation against others in Cameron v. Burlington Deep. The jury also voted to approve a settlement with Oxy Anadarko resolving identified exposure and attorney-fee liabilities as presented in executive session.
Why it matters: The UTV ordinance creates a uniform local standard for when and where UTVs can operate on parish streets and sets equipment, insurance and driver-age requirements that align with state registration and insurance rules. The litigation actions and settlement resolve long-running coastal litigation matters affecting parish exposure and legal costs.
What’s next: The jury directed staff to finalize implementation steps for the adopted ordinance and to carry out administrative tasks for the approved appointments, funding allocations and settlement documentation.
