After years of fits and starts, the parish has taken a significant step toward the construction of a new boat launch in Des Allemands.
The parish announced July 31 that it will accept bids for the construction of the boat launch through Sept. 9.
Grayson Touchard, a spokesperson for the parks and recreation department, said once a construction bid is accepted and approved, the project will take about a year to complete.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see this project finally moving forward,” Touchard said. “The Des Allemands Boat Launch will provide our West Bank residents with greater access to the natural resources and recreational opportunities our parish has to offer. While there have been some delays along the way, it’s exciting and encouraging to see this long-anticipated project becoming a reality.”
She said the project experienced delays due to Hurricane Ida’s impact, which required the department to shift focus to recovery efforts.
“Additionally, we had to wait for the completion of the levee lift before we could proceed with construction,” she said. “These factors extended the original timeline, but we’re now able to move forward.”
The Lafourche Basin Levee District’s Sunset Levee lift project was revised in 2023 to include construction of the access road for the future Des Allemands boat launch as a cost-saving measure for both the LBLD and St. Charles Parish.
Four years ago, the parish council unanimously approved a donation of 109.8 acres of land from Chevron to the parish for the purpose of a boat launch and recreational area along Bayou Des Allemand. Talks between the parish and Chevron over the gift began in 2018.
Then, in August 2021, the parish council approved an agreement with Duplantis Design Group for the design of the boat launch. The design includes a boat launch, fish cleaning station, floating dock with kayak ramp, pavilion and other related amenities.
The 110-acre area in Des Allemands is south of US Highway 90 between Bayou Des Allemands and WPA Road.
About $1.8 million in RESTORE Act funding from the BP oil spill settlement will be utilized toward the project. Other possible sources of funding include grants through the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Department of Homeland Security for birdwatching areas, elevated trails, RV sites and campsites.
The parish’s general fund would also be in play as a source toward the project. The parish will be responsible for maintaining the property, as it will maintain ownership of the property.
