St. Charles Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Charles Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Davis Pond diversion operations and Corps accountability
The parish keeps operating the Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion under a renewed CPRA agreement, with the state covering 100 percent of costs and federal reimbursement.
Love Our Waterways cleanup results
The parish is backing Louisiana's first Love Our Waterways Month with a three-hour cleanup at the Bonnet Carré Spillway and Wetland Watcher Park on September 26. Volunteers get rakes, bags, t-shirts, and can sign up by emailing the coastal zone staff.
ADM barge fleet dredging on the Mississippi
The Army Corps wants consistency approval for 2026 maintenance dredging of three deep-draft river crossings to keep 50-foot channel depths for Port of South Louisiana shipping access.
Five parish projects advance in CPRA 2029 Coastal Master Plan
Parish-submitted projects including the LaBranche marsh creation didn't make CPRA's Priority Project List 36 — the marsh creation was deemed outside the coastal zone. A second solicitation period runs July through September.
Lagattuta Estates drainage and access concerns, Luling
Neighbors say the Gilbert family's planned entrance off the Diane Drive cul-de-sac could pierce a subdivision levee and worsen flooding that already leaves water near porches after heavy rain. The applicant's engineer disputed that, saying the site drains to the back canal. Construction details will be reviewed later through permitting.
Storm Closures
Post-Tropical Storm Arthur is forcing St. Charles Parish schools and government offices to close Wednesday. Before you head out, check whether your school, job, or errand is affected. It’s a safety-first shutdown, but it will scramble routines.
Federal Hurricane Protection and Storm Damage Risk Reduction Projects (File 2026-0157)
The committee got a full rundown of the levee and pump station projects protecting the parish: the St. Rose levee enlargement finishing this summer, the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project heading toward a ~2030 finish, and the parish's Montz pump stations due in late 2026. Council members pressed for firm completion dates and asked hard questions about induced flooding from the planned barge gate.
Lake Salvador shoreline protection funding
The council locked in state funding (~$3.38 million) to design a 15-mile shoreline protection project along Lake Salvador, continuing rock-shoreline work started 20 years ago that has already shown land growth where installed.
St. Rose flood control funding applications
The parish will seek Statewide Flood Control Program money for two St. Rose projects — the Fairfield/Oakland pump station and conveyance improvements near Oak Street. The program doesn't fund many projects a year, so it's a competitive shot.
Vial drainage servitude and Fashio-area drainage improvements
The donated 30-foot servitude lets Public Works build a defined drainage ditch south of the railroad tracks in Hahnville, fixing chronic flooding on streets like Bamboo and Little Plantation. It also clears the way for long-awaited improved jack-and-borer culverts.
Bonnet Carre freshwater siphons and coastal wetland health
Committee members are pushing for freshwater siphons from the Bonnet Carre Spillway into the LaBranche Wetlands, a proposal CPRA is evaluating for its 2029 Master Plan. They also want to learn why the Allemands Wetlands are thriving so the success can be replicated.
Couba Island Christmas Tree Restoration Pens
The parish finally got its Christmas tree pen permit approved and crews are installing about 450 linear feet of pens at Couba Island. Tree collections have dropped, so staff will ask neighboring parishes and Public Works for more trees.
PFAS contamination in water systems
St. Charles Parish’s water could be affected by PFAS “forever chemicals” after state testing flagged 46 Louisiana systems, though it’s not yet confirmed your system is on the list. If it is, expect possible new filtration costs and health advisories—so this is a watch-the-water-bill and watch-the-notice situation.
SHIELD Plan coastal funding push
The parish adopted its SHIELD coastal plan to lobby CPRA for projects — already $137 million of parish projects are in the state annual plan, including the Bayou des Allemands floodgate ($91.5 million) and a $4 million Lake Salvador shoreline design project.
DEQ-restricted site redevelopment on West Alpha Drive
A former industrial site in Destrehan sits under a state-mandated cap with conveyance restrictions barring deep-rooted plantings. The board granted landscaping waivers so the property can return to commercial use, though some members wanted the full DEQ paper trail before them first.
Primrose Canal cleaning and improvements
The parish locked in a $1.5 million contract to clean and improve the Primrose Canal. Better canal flow means better drainage for nearby neighborhoods.
Turtle Pond Pump Station upgrades
The council supported grant funding to upgrade the Turtle Pond pump station, part of the parish's drainage defenses.
Sunset Pump Station upgrade (BA-0285)
Two resolutions advanced the Upper Barataria Sunset Pump Station upgrade in Des Allemands — one as the parish council, one as the Sunset Drainage District.