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Residents press parish on rotten bridges, clogged ditches and neglected HOA retention ponds
Summary
Multiple residents raised safety and flooding concerns about the Layton Bridge, Waverly Ditch bridges, and privately owned retention ponds that are overgrown or used for dumping; administration said engineers inspected structures, a repair plan is being developed, and many ponds are HOA-owned with limited parish capacity to assume maintenance.
Multiple speakers told the Lafourche Parish Council that local bridges and drainage infrastructure need urgent attention. Alvin Notkamp said the Layton Bridge is 'out' and asked whether the Waverly Ditch and Waverly Bridge No. 2 had been inspected; the parish president said an engineer inspected the bridge that day and that a contractor visit and plan development were underway to produce repair documents.
Notkamp and other residents also raised concerns about private retention ponds owned by homeowners associations that are no longer maintained — grass, yard bags and willow trees were cited as creating flood and safety hazards. Council and administration said many ponds are HOA-owned and that dedicating them to the parish would require additional staff and equipment; the administration said it is exploring contract workers to augment parish crews. Public-works staff confirmed crews have been shifted to address higher-priority pump and emergency work and that some equipment status (including a 60-foot excavator) is being tracked and will be reported back to council members.
