08/18/2025
2022253015
PLEASE Call Congressman scalise and thank him for getting funding to dredge channel from Grand Isle to Lafitte. Inform him nothing has been done and it is significantly impacting both the sh*****ng and oilfield industries.
Our SHRIMP BOATS keep getting stuck in this channel!!
This is Mr Jug AT THIS MOMENT STUCK, AGAIN!!
We need your help to get the dredging moving forward immediately!
PLEASE SHARE to get as much attention as we get can to help our already struggling shrimpers!
📩 From Tim Kerner Jr.
Rep. Kerner and Jug secured this funding nearly a decade ago. Late last week, I met with the new Colonel for the Army Corps of Engineers, and two issues came to light that explain why this project has been stalled for so long.
1. Jefferson Parish never requested dredging?
The Corps claims our non-federal partner, Jefferson Parish, never formally requested dredging, only the Town of Jean Lafitte, which they say falls outside their jurisdiction. If true, that’s extremely disappointing, given how long local leaders have been asking for this work. To eliminate any doubt, I’ve placed a resolution on the Council’s agenda for the 20th to officially make the request and ensure there are no more excuses.
2. Oyster leases blocking a federal channel.
Even more troubling, the State allegedly approved oyster leases close to nearly 13 miles of the channel the Corps is obligated to keep clear. Since those leases require Corps approval, including environmental clearance, the question is obvious: why would they greenlight leases that directly conflict with their own dredging obligations?
Where things stand now:
• The good news (bad news outweigh the good): the Corps has the funding ready and says the process is starting.
• The bad news: these oyster leases now trigger a full mitigation and environmental review, slowing everything down again.
I’m pushing the Corps to fulfill their responsibility promptly, and if that doesn’t happen, legal action from the fishermen who depend on this waterway may be the only path forward. I’m also meeting with the state agencies involved to find out when, why, and how these leases were approved, and whether dredging has taken place since.
I’m taking this all the way to the top. I’ve already began reaching out to in the Governor’s team and will be working to meet with him directly to get this issue resolved.
How you can help right now:
This issue needs more than two voices. I strongly recommend an organized effort to call and demand action from as many people as possible:
Congressman Steve Scalise – +1 (202) 225-3015
Email: scalise.house.gov/contact/email-me
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District Headquarters – (504) 862-2201
Email: [email protected]
For clarification: It only needs an environmental review and full mitigation process because of these oyster leases, which is ridiculous. This is a federal waterway. Why would they get approved knowing this channel had to be dredged.
I’ll also be reaching out to every single commercial company that uses this channel to also join this effort.
Lastly, anyone who emails Congressman Scalise. Thank him for his help in getting this funding, but let him know that nothings been done since he helped pass this funding and it’s completely stopping commerce.
