Concerns grow over river diversion project in Atchafalaya Basin

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ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY) — St. Martin Parish council members and swamp advocates are expressing their concerns over a river diversion project in Atchafalaya Basin, a project they say could lead to widespread flooding and environmental damage.

“By doing that they’re sacrificing the future of south-central Louisiana,” said Dean Wilson, the executive director of the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper.

The East Grand Lake Project, first proposed by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, was later approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The project’s focus is to divert polluted water from the Atchafalaya River and Bayou Sorrel through 12 cuts, and then into nearby swamps.

To oppose this, a coalition of groups, including the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers back in May of 2024 on issues of how the project will affect those who make a living by fishing in the Atchafalaya Basin.

Wilson argues the project could cause widespread flooding and ecological damage.

“If the levees fail on the west side of the Atchafalaya Basin, that flood could be even larger than the 1927 flood,” said Wilson. “I think we have less room to spread, because all the levees will probably flood Lafayette.”

Wilson says the Atchafalaya Basin’s commercial fishermen, who rely on its water for their livelihoods, will also be affected. He says the proposed river diversion not only threatens their income, but also the cultural heritage tied to generations of fishing in these waters.

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“Iberville, Assumption and St. Martin Parish passed resolutions against the project and also Iberville Parish already filed an amicus brief in support of our lawsuit,” said Wilson.

St. Martin Parish Council chairman Chris Tauzin says members will vote tonight on whether or not they will also support the amicus brief for the lawsuit.

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