The parish has set aside $500,000 in the 2010 budget to acquire land to build a new boat launch in Luling between the Davis Pond Diversion and Pier 90.
The parish has not purchased land for the 12 acre site yet on Highway 90, but was looking at three separate locations. All three are similar in size.
Right now, the parish is negotiating with landowner Ray Brandt for purchase of the most western tract of the three.
The parish has already hired an engineering firm to design the $2 million launch, which would include five double-ended launch sites, parking for 160 trucks/boats, separate parking for cars, two pavilions, a bait shop and three restrooms.
Parish President V.J. St. Pierre, who is spearheading the project, would also like to eventually install three sand volleyball courts and have an area for the German Coast Farmers’ Market to set up shop.
Once the parish purchases the land, they can seek proposals from the Wallop-Breaux Fund, a state program used to create opportunity for sport fishing and boating. The fund never provides more than $500,000 a year, so St. Pierre said the entire project would take about five years to complete.
Fishing in Lake Cataouatche has improved dramatically since the diversion and now attracts anglers from across the state.
However, larger bass tournaments have stayed away because the area’s only boat launch, Pier 90, isn’t large enough.
St. Pierre said one of the goals of the launch is to attract the Bassmaster Classic, the “Super Bowl” of bass tournaments.
St. Pierre also said that the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is excited about the project because they are interested in building a facility near the proposed launch.
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