News

[ July 24, 2010 ]
VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Louisiana Crawfish Producers Association – West (LCPA-West) and Atchafalaya Basinkeeper are suing Mallard Basin Inc. and Whiskey Bay Island, LLC for alleged illegal development of wetlands in the Atchafalaya Basin. The lawsuit seeks the removal of and remediation for the dredging and damming of Bayou Cane, as well as the removal of a water control structure, stopping access by fish and people into Fisher Lake and over 1,000 acres of wetlands south of I-10. Plaintiffs allege the defendants placed a water pump in the north end of the lake and dug a ditch into the wetlands to artificially control water levels in the lake, all without a permit and in violation of the Clean Water Act. The water control structure is blocking navigation, which is prohibited by Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act without a permit.

The lawsuit is necessary since no action was taken by state and federal agencies against these flagrant violations of the Clean Water Act. We see lawsuits as signs of failure, reflections of the lack of commitment of our state and federal agencies to uphold the rule of law and protect the best interests of our nation and its people. Without enforcement, all laws are useless and there is no future for any of our wetlands.

Atchafalaya Basinkeeper and LCPA-West are committed to protecting the integrity of the Atchafalaya Basin for future generations and the right of the public to access public waters of the U.S.

[ June 6, 2010 ]
‘Jaws’ in the Basin? Believe it! in the Teche News!

[ May 6, 2010 ]
Check out a new article in the Teche News, La.’s other ecological disaster (Crawfish dying in the Basin’s stagnant water)

[ April 8, 2010 ]
Trapped in the middle featured in the advertiser

[ March, 16 2010 ]
Check out Crawfish Suit Goes to Court from The Advertiser. Also, added in the links section was a copy of the 2010 Legislative Session. Thanks to everyone who came out to our annual meeting and for your support!

[ January, 29 2010 ]
Our president's father, also a LCPA member, passed away today. Please keep their family in your prayers. Services will be Saturday, January 30th from 10:30-5:30 pm at Pellerin Funeral Home in St. Martinville. You can view the obituary online at the Pellerin Funeral Home website. Click on Gene Bienvenu

[ January, 20 2009 ]
Click here to view Atchafalaya Basin Bulletin.

[ December 25, 2009 ]
Check out Re-plumbing the Basin from the Teche News

[ November 11, 2009 ]
Check out this article,Primary Mast, from the Louisiana Sportsman Magazine, and also a letter about the Atchafalaya Basin Program. Also, we will not be having another board meeting until January 12th.

[ October 7, 2009 ]
This is the Kerr-McGee (pic 1) (pic 2), which is between the Henderson Locks and the Catahoula Landing. It is located on an illegal spoilback that is blocking north south flow through that bays that run from Henderson.

[ September 2, 2009 ]
Spoil-ing the Basin featured in The Daily Iberian

[ August 31, 2009 ]
Atchafalaya Basin Bulletin -- TAG holds first meeting on project proposals

[ June 13, 2009 ]
Corps considering change to water flow into Atchafalaya featured in the Advocate.com. Also, a new link has been added to the links section: Atchafalaya Basin Program. Check them both out!!!

[ May 21, 2009 ]
Nature Conservancy gives Atchafalaya Basin Program 'transparency' (DNR partners with worldwide conservation organization) featured in the Teche News.

[ May 2, 2009 ]
"Is Imported Seafood Safe?" featured in the Teche News.

[ March 20, 2009 ]
Just added: "Proposed Crawfish Management Plan". (page 1), (page 2), (page 3), (page 4), and (page 5). LCPA DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS PLAN!!! Also, we added links to 2 great websites you can check out: Atchafalaya BasinKeeper and www.Segnette.com. Lots of updates and also additions to the website to come. For questions/concerns/comments about the site, please contact the webdesigner, Nadia Bienvenu: lcpawest@hotmail.com or nbienv57568@dcc.edu.

[ February 4, 2009 ]
LCPA ANNUAL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 10TH, 2009 @ 7:OO PM AT THE CATAHOULA SCHOOL GYM! EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND!!!

[ December 27, 2008 ]
Locals sue over Lost Lake dam featured in the Teche News

[ October 11, 2008 ]
Paradise Lost by Anna Thibodeaux featured on Business Report.com

[ August 14, 2008 ]
Suit Claims Dredging Damage featured in the Advocate

[ July 10, 2008 ]
"Water Access Bill in Need of Angler Support" featured in the Louisiana Sportsman.

[ April 25, 2008 ]
Teche News finally got a website!!! Check it out here!!! Also, check out the article Crawfishermen Score a Victory featured on the front page of the tech news!!!

[ September 16, 2007 ]
Lawsuits in Federal Court Draw National Interest featured in The Advocate.

[ April 11, 2007 ]
Crawfish Group to Fish Projects, Some Say Basin Plans Promote Oil, Gas Drilling featured in The Advertiser.

[ March 20, 2007 ]
Check out "Floating Gate Idea Sinks: Man seeking to protect property" (pg 1) & (pg 2) Featured in The Advocate

[ December 18, 2006 ]
View a clip of Illegal Logging in the Atchafalaya Basin featured on KLFY TV 10. FOG DELAYED A FLIGHT INTENDED TO UNCOVER ILLEGAL LOGGING ALONG THE ATCHAFALAYA BASIN TODAY. TV10 S JEREMY CAMPBELL WAS THE ONLY LOCAL REPORTER ON THAT FLIGHT WHEN IT TOOK OFF AFTER A THREE HOUR DELAY. IN HIS STORY HE EXPLAINS THE FIGHT TO SAVE PART OF THE BASIN THAT COULD BE LOST FOREVER...

[ November 12, 2006 ]
Rycade Lake drained Corps looking for Basin leaseholder, Crawfishermen's pipeline suit valid, and Judge Declares Lake Navigable all featured in the Teche News.

[ October 1, 2006 ]
James' Ruling Simply Wrong- The News-Star
Basin Access in Question and Franklin Men Cited in Gator Case- The Teche News

[ September 19, 2006 ]
Letter To the Editor written by Mike Bienvenu, LCPA President, featured in some of the newspapers in the area.

[ July 16, 2006 ]
Leeville Angler Charged With Criminal Trespass, Pleads NOT GUILTY featured in the Louisiana Sportsman Magazine. Also, don't forget, LCPA Board meetings are held every second Tuesday at Willis Boudreaux's Camp in Catahoula. Everyone is invited to attend! For more info contact Mike Bienvenu @ 337-394-5680.

[ June 1, 2006 ]
LCPA presented Mr. Harold Schoefflor a plaque of appriciation for his guidance with the organization. Court to Decide on Public Water, Judge: If it Floats Your Boat featured in the Teche News and Ruling Great News For Public's Access Rights.

[ Friday May 5, 2006 ]
Judge: Allow Public to Fish in Mississippi Tributaries from The Advertiser, Crawfish Bill to Combat Thefts and No Required Trap Tagging Amendment to Proposed Crawfish Bill featured on KLFY TV 10.

[ Saturday, April 1, 2006 ]
Giving away our state lands??? Check out these bills proposed in the 2006 Louisiana Legislature Regular Session:
HB No. 224
HB No. 112
SB No. 12

Also "Court Rejects Basin Boundary Challenge" (pg 1). (pg 2) . (pg 3) featured in The Advocate

[ Sunday, December 25, 2005 ]
GREAT NEWS!!! JUDGEMENT FOR THE DEFENDENT IN THE RYCADE CASE...Rycade Case Goes to Judge: Desicion Could Spawn Ownership Question (page 1) and (page 2) featured in the Teche News

[ Sunday, November 25, 2005 ]
"Who Owns The Rivers in Louisiana?" from The National Rivers Website, Rivers of Louisiana.

[ Sunday, October 31, 2005 ]
"Corps, politicians must take blame for La. Disasters" written by Mike Bienvenu featured in the Teche News

[ Wednesday, September 1, 2005 ]
Finally Updated!! Got a few articles for you to checkout: Beau Bayou Suit Pending, Crawfishermen Cite Damages From Pipelines and Suit Could Set Precedent, Rycade Lake Shooting a Maritime Law Case featured in The Teche News. Listen to Crawfishermen Regarding Basin, written by Leigh Haynie, featured in The Advertiser and also A Concurrent Resolution" (pg.1) (pg.2) and (pg.3), Regular Session, 2005, HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 85, BY REPRESENTATIVES JACK SMITH AND ST. GERMAIN.

[ Sunday, June 19, 2005 ]
"Way Clear for Buffalo Cove: Judge Dismisses Lawsuit by Crawfishermen"
featured in The Daily Iberian and Haik says Buffalo Cove Work Won't Stop featured in The Advertiser

[ Sunday, May 14, 2005 ]
Sierra Club, Group Might Sue for Bears featured The Advocate.

[ Sunday, March 6, 2005 ]
LCPA-WEST GENERAL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 17TH AT 7 PM AT THE CATAHOULA SCHOOL GYM, EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATEND!!! Citizens Demand Info on 16th Section Land and Shots Fired at Froggers Jody Meche: Landowner Trying to Scare Him both featured in the Teche News.

[ Tuesday, Feburary 9, 2005 ]
See how your St. Martin Parish school board member voted: in an article entitled"5-5 Vote Dooms Sec. 16 Proposal" featured in the Teche News.

[ Tuesday, December 4, 2005 ]
Board Delays Action on Section 16 Issues (page 1) and (page 2) featured in the Teche News.

[ Sunday, November 14, 2004 ]
"Foti Makes Sweeping Claim of Public Ownership of Buffalo Cove Area" (page 1) and (Page 2) featured in the Louisiana Sportsman

[ Sunday, October 24 , 2004 ]
Louisiana Attorney General Jumps Into Pipeline Lawsuit (page 1) and page 2 featured in The Teche News.

[ Sunday, October 17 , 2004 ]
'State Joins Crawfish Trappers in Lawsuit'

[ Monday, September 11, 2004 ]
Bill Pushes Basin as National Historic Area (parge 1) and (page 2)

[ Sunday, September 26, 2004 ]
La. Fishermen Angered by Trend to Close Waterways featured in the Daily Advertiser.

[ Monday, August 9, 2004 ]
Local Crawfishermen sue to Half Buffalo Cove Work featured in the Teche News

[ Sunday, July 18, 2004 ]
'AG Set to Help Crawfishermen' featured in the Teche News.

[ Sunday, June 27, 2004 ]
'Public Access to Hunting, Fishing Areas Sparks Intense Debate' featured in The Advertiser.

[ Sunday, June 27, 2004 ]
Check out all these artiles: "Crawfish Trappers File Suit" featured in The Advertiser, 'Crawfishermen File Suit, Claim Ecosystem Ruined' featured in the Daily Iberian, and 'Battle Shaping Up Over Atchafalaya Basin Interests (Page 1)' and (Page 2) featured in the Teche News

[ Sunday, May 30, 2004 ]
Sorry we haven't updated in a while. Here's what's been going on with the LCPA. Click here to read the 2004 LCPA Membership newsletter.

[ April, 2004 ]
Click (page 1) and (page 2) to read an article entitled "Bad Harvests, Tarriff laws Threatening Way Of Life"

[ Sunday, April 11, 2004 ]
No Trespassing! featured on KATC channel 3 and Crawfisherman Protest featured on KLFY Tv 10.

[ Saturday, Feburary,28 2004 ]
CHECK THIS ONE OUT!!! ITS A GOOD ONE! "Fishermen Want Thompson Fired" featured in the Teche News. Also A Resolution sent to Gov Blanco and Scott Angelle

[ Sunday, December 6, 2003 ]
Click here and here for application for the pipeline lawsuit. You must have adobe acobat to open it. Download it, then fill it out completely, and then send it to: Joseph Joy & Associates, 214 Jefferson St Suite 300, Lafayette, LA 70582. If you have any questions you can call them at (337)-232-8123, or Mike Bienvenu at (337)-394-5680.

[ Sunday, October 26, 2003 ]
Sierra Club Delta Letter: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

[ Thursday, October 22, 2003 ]
Sierra Club Narrowly Votes for an EIS on Buffalo Cove featured in the Teche News and Is Catfish Lake A Crab Lease?

[ Saturday, October 18, 2003 ]
EIS Public Hearings on Buffalo Cove to be Held and Corps: meetings not open to public featured in the Teche News. Also check out Sierra Club Touts Idea for Basin featured in The Advocate.

[ Saturday, September 20, 2003 ]
Many Private Waters Are Actually Public featured in Louisiana Sportsmen.

[ Sunday, August 31, 2003 ]
Battle Over Basin and Old River system part of flood control program featured in The Advertiser. Also an intersting website entitled Who Owns The Rivers?

[ Saturday, August 9, 2003 ]
Why The Crawfishermen Don't Like Buffalo Cove featured in the Teche News.

[ Sunday, July 13, 2003 ]
Uncertainties exist in Corps of Engineers plan for Atchafalaya featured in The Advertiser. Check it out. Thanks guys.

[ Monday, June 30, 2003 ]
Check out Most Support Buffalo Cove Water Project featured in the Daily Iberian and also Going Against The Tide in The Advertiser.

[ Saturday, March 8, 2003 ]
A rather interesting article you should check out: "Hunting Rules Favor Wealthy Landowners" featured in The Advertisor

[ Wednesday, Feburary 19, 2003 ]
Sorry we havent updated in a while, our computer has been down. We will soon be having a general meeting so check back later for the official date. Also, Check out these articles: "Law of the Land" featured in The Daily Iberian and also "Ruling Favors Land Owners in Basin Dispute" featured in The Advertiser.

[ Friday, March 9, 2002 ]
We have been informed from Sheriff Charles Fuselier of St. Martin Parish, that the water bottom claiments (so called land owners) have gotten together and want to charge the commercial fisherman to fish crawfish and it seems they are trying to stop the sportsfishermen from fishing, or charge them to fish. The LCPA under the advice of Harold Schoffler (Sierra Club), LCPA board advisor, has decided to take the water bottom claimants to federal court. The civil suit will involve the state and some local water bottom claimants. Keep in touch for more details

[ Monday, March 12, 2002 ]
This article was found concerning the publics water access rights.
WE NEED TO JOIN FORCES!!!

[ Tuesday, March 13, 2002 ]
We've scanned a few leases for the public's access. Click on each one to view:

Lease #1
Lease #2

We also have the 1985 Parish Ordinance. Dont forget to check it out!

[ Wednesday, March 14, 2002 ]
The Teche News has an interesting article this week. It seems to contradict what most of us "think" happened at the meeting. *Refer to photos on main page and Teche News article*

[ Sunday, March 18, 2001 ]
We recieved this letter from a local attorney showing us his support. Thank you Mr. Durand. We also featured this article which was in the Teche News concerning our next meeting.

[ Thursday, March 22, 2001 ]
We accessed this letter recently. This camp was located on the Philips Pipeline Canal. (a navigable waterbottom area belonging to the public) If they can make you move a houseboat, they can make you move crawfish boat or a bass boat, etc.

[ Friday, March 23, 2001 ]
We recently accessed an article entitled 'Crawfisherman wins in Atchafalaya battle'. We also found an article where the US Supreme Court gave its ruling concerning the waterways, and another one concerning the drought damage (where basin crawfisherman one again get the shaft) along with two letters from Senator John Breaux. Also, don't forget to check out a recent article in the Teche News from Jody Meche and his comments about the situation. Thank you Mr. Jody for your comments!

[ Tuesday, March 27, 2001 ]
About a week or so ago we recieved a letter from Roy Savoy Jr. sent to Sandra Thomason reguarding 'the freedom of the Atchafalaya Basin', and her responce to the letter. We've also decided to featured the 2001 session of the state legislature for everyone to see just what our politicians are up to now!

[ Wednesday, March 28, 2001 ]
Please check out these Bills 320 (Daniel), 338 (Daniel) , 1297 (Durand) , 1348 (Pieare) , 1696 (Pieare) that deal with new laws that 'our' representatives are trying to pass.

We had a meeting last night with representatives of local bass clubs to inform them of what is going on. We anticipate their support. Also dont forget to check out the article in the Teche today!!!!! Thank you very much Mr. Shoeffler for your comments.

[ Sunday, April 1, 2001 ]
We had a big turn out at our meeting Friday night. Our efforts seem to be paying off. Here are a couple of recent news articles : Atchafalaya access concerns anglers and the other Stopping to pick the flowers might just land you in prison (Our representatives still haven't stepped up to show their support, they're busy in Baton Rouge with "other" matters. We accessed these laws from our good friend Natalia Broussard, canidate for District Judge. We finally know a little bit about what rights we have from the Louisiana Laws.

[ Tuesday, April 3, 2001 ]
Today we recieved a letter from a 'Concerned Consumer' who is also an LCPA member that we thought might interest everyone and give you something to think about...

[ Thursday, April 12, 2001 ]
LCPA picked up more support from the editors of the Daily Advitiser, and the Morning Advocate will be running a piece in a couple of weeks, giving us more statewide exposure. Click here to view 'Profit motive should not limit Atchafalaya access' featured in the Daily Advitiser. Thank you Daily Advitiser for helping us to keep the public informed

[ Monday, April 23, 2001 ]
In the Sunday edition of The Advocate, an article 'This land is whose land?' was featured concerning local crawfisherman and others discussing their views on the recent situation on trespassing. Today there was also another article 'Crawfisherman blame problems on modifications to basin' Check out The Advocate Online for other articles!

[ Sunday, May 13, 2001 ]
LCPA President Mike Bienvenu has written an LCPA New Release which we also sent to some of the local newspapers. Check it out! Also, after many hours of research, we've found a few articles on the internet that we thought everyone might find of interest. The articles are concerning: percent of water passing through the Mississippi River that we're getting , the old river structure , and the flood control law of 1954.

[ Saturday, May 26, 2001 ]
The LCPA has been busy with many meetings, collecting laws, and expressing their concerns about many different bills trying to be passed. Check out 2001 Regular Session to see what new laws might be passed. Also, check out The Daily Advertiser's Article "Corps' weak response is threat to basin crawfish" featured this week. In the future, we are planning on holding a tournament. If anyone is interested in helping out or any type of donations, please let us know!!! Thanks! Check out KLFY (TV-10) website for the story Basin Water Rights

[ Wednesday, June 20, 2001 ]
Sorry we haven't updated in a while. The LCPA has been really busy working hard for you and your interests. We recieved a letter from the Corps of Engineers to the Governor concerning our requests for more water comming down the Atchafalaya. Check it out. President Mike Bienvenu has written up LCPA News Release about what's being going on lately. Vice President Jody Meche has also written a true story about an event that has recently occured, involving him being harassed while crawfishing in the Atchafalaya Basin.

[ Thursday, June 21, 2001 ]
We've added two new articles, "Where have all the fish gone?" featured in the Daily Advertiser, and Alabama lakes reel in dough featured in the Daily Iberian. We think everyone would find these of interest, so check them out!

[ Friday, July 27, 2001 ]
Check out the article "Fisherman challenge spending in basin" featured in the Advocate this week. More updates to come!

[ Friday, August 4, 2001 ]
We recently got out hands on two aricles in the Houma Today newspaper. Both we found very interesting, and thought everyone should check them out. "Closing of Lake Theriot ends tradition for countless sportsmen" and "Lake closure a sign of things to come". LCPA President Mike Bienvenu wrote a letter to Mr. DeSantis concerning these articles expressing his opinions about them. We've also sent the letter to many local newspapers, hoping they would print it. We will have further news when we find out more.

[ Sunday, September 23, 2001 ]
Check out the article from Houma Today "Attorney General: blocking bayous illegal"
and dont forget to check out our LCPA UPDATE which will inform you about everything LCPA has been up to, and anything else we think the public should know. Check back, for more news/updates soon!!!

[ Tuesday, November 5, 2001 ]
Check out The Advocate's article Down Pipeline to Reconsider Plan

[ Wednesday, November 28, 2001 ]
We just posted the NAVIGABLE SERVITUDE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS. Click the link to check them out and find out more!

[ Tuesday, March 12, 2002 ]
Check out LCPA President Mike Bienvenu's letter to the editor in the teche news.
Click here to access them: Page 1 and Page 2

Click here and here-(2nd part of the article) to check out the article 'Dispute on basin hunting in court' featured in the the Daily Iberian.

Also, LCPA-WEST has been busy working on Camp Atchafalaya. Click the following links for more info.!!!
Page # 1
Page # 2


[ Tuesday, March 19, 2002 ]
View LCPA President Mike Bienvenu's letter to the edior entilted "Fisherman says Basin Plan has major flaws"
Page 1
Page 2

[ Tuesday, March 26, 2002 ]
Click here to view an article entitled'Use Basin Dollars Wisely'.

[ Wednesday, April 10, 2002 ]
Click here to view The Daily Advertiser's article "Money needed in the basin allocated to outside projects" featured Wednesday, April 20th, 2002.

[ Wednesday, April 24, 2002 ]
Check out to The Advocate's article entitled "Activisits press for basin improvements" Crawfisherman: System not working way nature intended.
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3


[ Monday, May 6, 2002 ]
Check out these articles featured on The Advocate entitled 'Crawfish trappers say stagnant water killing off catches' and 'State studying Chinese crawfish for banned drug'. Also check out 'Not Satisfied (Basin's crawfishermen seek solace, but don't find it, in letter writing)'.
Page 1
Page2

[ Sunday, June 9, 2002 ]
Check out new "The Daily Advertiser" articles: 'Boundaries disputed in Atchafalya Basin trial' and 'Basin trial controversy debates land, water issue'. A Big thanks goes out to The Daily Advertiser for covering the stories!!!

[ Sunday, June 22, 2002 ]
Check out these two articles 'Basin Dispute Delayed a Month' and 'Crawfishermen say oil controls basin' featured in the Daily Iberian June 20, 2002.

[ Saturday, July 20, 2002 ]
Land deal debated and Crawfish processors in line for $8 million featured on The Advocate. Check them out!

[ Thursday, July 25, 2002 ]
Thank you Mr. Scott Angele for helping us on behalf of the fishermen for getting this letter out to our representatives and dept of agriculture!!! Page 1 and Page 2.

Daily Iberian Article: 'Is White Lake a black eye?

[ Sunday, August 30, 2002 ]
"Boat Wont Budge" The Daily Iberian