ARBC authorizes heavy‑equipment site prep for 145‑acre Saint Helena pilot site

The Amite River Basin Commission on Aug. 11 authorized staff to solicit proposals and for the commission president to execute a contract to clear, grub and prepare the recently acquired Upper Amite (Saint Helena Parish) property so restoration work can move forward.

Paul Sawyer, the commission's chief adviser, said the authorization is meant to "graduate from a push mower to heavy equipment." He told commissioners the work will include tree grinding, road clearing, removal of abandoned mining equipment and other site preparations to make the 145‑acre site safe and accessible for contractors. "We expect that this kind of work could be done in 3 months," Sawyer said, and added that Ryan Clark, ARBC's program manager for the Upper Amite project, will oversee site preparation.

Program manager Ryan Clark described the pilot site as "about a 145 acres" with "over 3 miles of roads and trails" in differing condition and several large excavated pits and abandoned mining machines that must be removed before larger restoration projects proceed. Clark said NRCS is a funding partner and staff are close to a draft funding plan to use NRCS construction dollars to pay for pilot construction at the site.

Commissioners pressed for a clear, phase‑based scope of work and multiple proposals. President Clark said staff will circulate a detailed scope of work for commissioner review and seek multiple quotes; commissioners requested that deliverables be explicit so the contractor is accountable. A motion to authorize receiving proposals and allow the president to execute the most satisfactory proposal passed with no opposition.

The contract authorization is intended to let the ARBC finish site preparation and position the property for restoration work this year and possible NRCS construction once federal approvals and funding draws become available.