Residents, scientists urge district to drop E11/4 alignment over unique wetlands and request revised sampling
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Summary
Multiple landowners and scientists told the district the E11/4 alternative would damage century‑old cypress stands and rare species, asked DOTD to reissue corrected wetlands findings and clarified that late comments should still be considered in the NEPA process.
Dozens of residents and at least one LSU scientist told the Capillary Road and Bridge District on Tuesday that the E11/4 alignment for the Mississippi River Bridge South threatens unique wetlands, centuries‑old cypress and rare species, and they asked DOTD to correct and reissue wetlands findings before selecting a preferred alternative.
Laura Como, a Plaquemine Point landowner, said an email distributed after the St. Gabriel public meeting suggested comments received after March 23 would be appended only to the final EA and therefore could not shape the preferred alternative. She asked DOTD to retract or clarify that message and to reissue the wetlands compilation after correcting sample‑point errors. "Seven of the sample points in Plaquemine Point were labeled as medium habitat condition ... I sent images ... DOTD has acknowledged that two of them were incorrect," Como said, and she urged the agency to re‑sample and allow landowners to review the corrected data before a preferred alternative is chosen.
John Day, an emeritus LSU oceanography and coastal sciences professor, told the board the site contains "300‑year‑old trees" and a swamp system of unusually high ecological value that cannot be meaningfully mitigated by planting elsewhere. "How do you mitigate for that?" Day asked. "You won't find another swamp that you can say we're mitigating because it doesn't exist in Louisiana." He said he would offer ongoing scientific input.
Other public commenters — including residents Robert and Denise, Julia (who asked for access to biological and cultural study results), Amber King (who reported finding rare moths at the site), and Scott Causey (who noted Bayou Manchac is listed as impaired for dissolved oxygen and urged water‑quality analysis) — emphasized ecological, property and infrastructure concerns. Several speakers asked for clearer notification when field studies are conducted and for copies of biological and cultural surveys so landowners can comment before the draft EA is published.
DOTD responded in the meeting that additional field data and corrections were intended and that staff would follow up with affected residents to clarify the email and coordinate delivery of corrected reports. Secretary Ladey said DOTD follows the NEPA process and will consult with the Federal Highway Administration on the environmental assessment.
What residents want: re‑sampling and reissue of the wetlands compilation with corrected habitat designations; public clarification that late comments will be considered in the NEPA record; early notice and access to biological, cultural and water‑quality study results so impacted landowners can review and comment.
Attribution: quotations and paraphrases are attributed to public commenters and DOTD staff as recorded in the meeting transcript.
