Cut Off Launch could close Friday

The Clovelly Boat Launch, the only public access point to Little Lake in Lafourche Parish, may close Friday if parish officials aren’t able to renegotiate a land-use agreement with private landowners, according to Parish President Charlotte Randolph.

The parish may also opt to file an injunction, which could prevent the closure, Randolph said. Parish officials have been working to renegotiate a new agreement with General Agricultural Services, LLC and Little Lake Land Company, affiliated companies who have leased the property to the parish for public use in return for maintenance of Clovelly Road since 1987.

Because the parish is widening the levee along Clovelly Road, the road has to be moved and a new agreement must be reached.

The last agreement expired in 2007, but the two sides have operated under an informal agreement since that time, parish officials contend.

The landowners are reportedly asking for $20,000 per year to pay for fuel, maintenance and relocation of a private pump station in addition to the money the parish pays each year to maintain the road. It could cost as much as $1.4 million over a 20-year period, District Attorney Cam Morvant II said.