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biggun · #1 09-09-2015, 05:41 PM

Guys.. This Is of the most importants.

Anysome use the FWC boat ramp.. Please read this email from a friend..

It's fixing to be closed.. Call ur State Representatives.

The ramp is definitely scheduled to be closed. After speaking to a public official, lack of funding and landowner demands are forcing the closure. Apparently, the original agreement signed with the landowners mandated certain accommodations and improvements be made along with the facility being maintained to acceptable standards. No funding provisions were ever put in place to accomplish this. The facility was originally constructed with grant money obtained by John Breaux, but no monies to bring the facility up to the standards of the agreement with landowners was ever secured. In addition to the improvements needed to bring the facility into compliance, additional funds will be required to dredge and maintain access to the ramp. It was also mentioned the the Abbeville Harbor and Terminal District refused to assist with funding when they were asked. Estimates to bring the facility up to agreement specs are at $250,000 if I recall correctly from my conversation. This does not include dredging costs.

The ramp was out of site and out of mind and I suppose the landowners finally said enough and now it will be closed to the public, likely with permits being sold for private use. With proper planing and a little cooperation, I'm sure dredging could have been completed with the dredge that was operating north of the locks in FWB. I am told a dredge is currently operating in Rollover Bayou. Dredging of the slip would be a quick job for this dredge and periodic wheel washing with a tug or supply boat could keep the slip open. The right partnership between the Police Jury, the Harbor and Terminal folks, CCA, state government and the oilfield folks should be able to keep this ramp open. If you know of anyone interested in keeping the ramp open to the public, speak to them about it, maybe enough of us can get together and come up with ideas to keep the ramp open.

Please let me know your thoughts and if you think this is something worth pursuing?

cajun_poboy · #2 09-09-2015, 06:07 PM

Well that's gonna suck! I agree that the condition is poor at best and if you have a larger boat you are almost always gonna turn up mud, even on a medium to high tide. I admit that I do not know enough about the management to know who to call about keeping it open to the public and brought up to spec. But if you or someone else can pointe in the right direction, I would be happy to makes some calls to get someone thinking about it.
It would definitely be in my best interest cause I don't know if rollover or Joseph harbor can accommodate my boat and I really don't want to launch at icy and run 19 miles up the FW canal.

biggun · #3 09-09-2015, 06:31 PM

Call Verm Parish Police Jury Pres. OR UR State Representative.

cajun bill · #4 09-09-2015, 08:47 PM

..............the new owners of Acadiana Marina have a nice ramp and are offering quarterly, semi-annual and annual tags for use of their ramp. Biggest problem I see, besides the cost, is that you'll have to go through the locks which could be a pain.

duckhunner · #5 09-10-2015, 03:53 PM

I will be trying to make something happen also. This is a good place to launch from and needs to stay open!! Thanks for sharing this info!!

shellman · #6 09-10-2015, 05:02 PM

That sux for camp owners down there....

biggun · #7 09-10-2015, 05:17 PM

Police Jury sent down an engineering firm to look at launch... 250K for handicap accessible.. Refurbing dock and tie up bulkhead.. A fence.. Signs... Dumpsters. Parking.
Dredging canal to FW bayou $550K.

They saying $750K to 1 Mil to bring launch up to signed agreement from 1994.. Get this..

That LAUNCH COST $250K back in 1994.. WOW...

Parish Engineer is trying to get landowners and principal parties together to see what can be done to keep it open..