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
Committee members say the annual Davis Pond operating plan isn't working — salinity levels are killing swamps and wiping out aquatic vegetation, bass fisheries, and duck habitat across the Barataria estuary. They want more input on the operating agreement and floated pushing flows toward 5–15 parts per thousand salinity, with a possible new diversion or siphon upstream.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CWPPRA project proposals for the Barataria Basin
The parish pitched four restoration projects to CWPPRA — Salvador shoreline protection, Couba Island protection, an upper Barataria freshwater diversion, and the Des Allemands rock jetty. A committee member argued strongly for a siphon over a small 2,000 CFS diversion structure to keep water flowing year-round.
Des Allemands Boat Launch and Sunset Pump Station coastal projects
New and amended agreements with the state coastal authority keep the Des Allemands boat launch moving and bring $5.5 million toward the Sunset Pump Station flood-protection upgrade.
Primrose Canal cleaning and improvements
The parish locked in a $1.5 million contract to clean and improve Primrose Canal on both sides up to the Lagatuda Pump Station, the second phase of work on that drainage channel.