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Residents and jurors press parish for dredge‑permit transparency after oyster mortalities; legal counsel warns of litigation constraints
Summary
Multiple jurors and public commentators raised concerns about recent dredging, spoil placement and oyster mortalities in Kauashu Lake and nearby marshes; a public commenter questioned a Delta consultant report's sampling and called for independent sampling, while legal counsel cautioned that much discussion is constrained by pending or threatened litigation.
Public commenters and jurors pressed the Cameron Parish Police Jury for clear, permit‑specific information about dredging activities, spoil placement and recent oyster mortalities.
At public comment, a speaker who said he had reviewed the Delta consultant report sharply criticized the sampling protocol and conclusions, saying sampling was insufficient (five oysters at limited stations) and that water and sediment testing was inadequate to rule out dredge impacts. "So what test ruled out the dredge? None," the commenter said, arguing the report relied on aggregated lake‑wide averages that would dilute localized effects and urging independent sampling and core analysis to identify the material footprint.
Jurors repeatedly asked staff to identify who holds permits for ongoing dredging or spoil placement in parish waters, request hydraulic studies that include CP1 and CP2, and invite the responsible permit holders or state agencies (including CP/port entities and the agency formerly called LDNR) to brief the jury on active projects. Staff and legal counsel cautioned, however, that many parties are involved in litigation or have received preservation‑of‑evidence letters, and that attorneys often advise clients to limit public commentary because statements could be used in discovery.
Why it matters: Jurors emphasized safety (unmarked dredge pipe in recreational areas), environmental impacts (oyster mortalities, salt‑water intrusion), and the parish’s need for a clear chain of responsibility for permits and spoil placement to better inform constituents.
Next steps: jurors asked staff to prepare permit‑specific briefings, request hydraulic studies and place agency briefings on future agendas; staff said they would collect public records and ask state permit authorities to identify project holders and contact points, while acknowledging that legal constraints may limit what affected parties disclose publicly.
