July 23 2021
Several Dredge the Vermilion(DTV) Board Members joined several Bayou Vermilion District (BVD) Board Members and City Councilman Andy Naquin on a tour of River. The objective was to get a better look at the ongoing clearing and snagging operation from the river vs. viewing the operation from the bank. Additionally, DTV wishes to foster a closer working relationship with BVD as well as gaining a better understanding of BVD’s maintenance operations on the river.
Note the current clearing and snagging operation is being conducted by a contractor firm(and not BVD) due to the size and scope of the effort.
On the tour were BVD Board Members Calvin Leger and David Eaton and BVD river maintenance manager Mr. Tom Melancon. Representing DTV were Board Members Karen Hail and Jeffery Svendson.
A misunderstanding regarding the placement of fallen trees that BVD is removing was cleared up. BVD is not redeploying fallen trees into the Vermilion River but they are placing some (very few) of the trees on higher areas of the bayou bank that is not subject to flooding.
The participants observed the barge that was working on picking up trees and stumps from the river. The barge was actually working in front of DTV Board Member Jeremiah Supple‘s house the afternoon where the video was taken. The reported size of the tree material was large. This may be why the contractor changed out the initial equipment used for this larger equipment.
BVD reported that the biggest water quality issues were related to pet waste pollution in particular dog waste. In order for the river’s water quality to be improved for fishing and swimming this issue must be addressed.
Other barge pictures are from the disposal staging area on the west bank of the river at the foot of the Camelia Street Bridge near DTV Board Member Karen Hail’s home.
Self Propelled Tree Removal Spud Barge (Empty)
Self Propelled Tree Removal Spud Barge (Loaded)
Spud Barge used for relaying tree debris to dumpsters on the bank.