Fourchon Beach access road reopened to public

The opening of Fourchon Beach came as a surprise to some last weekend, when the Greater Lafourche Port Commission got the “green light” from the parish to remove several pilings blocking access to the west side of the seashore.

The impromptu removal of the pilings is a result of a resolution that was passed by the Lafourche Parish Council last Tuesday, said Port Commissioner Ted Falgout.

The Beachfront Development District asked the council for its support in giving limited vehicle access to a section of the beach on the parish road, according to Ricky Cheramie, the group’s vice-chairman. The opened stretch is located beyond the western-most offshore breakwater and is approximately 3,000 feet long.

Cheramie said the council has proven that it has had a right-of-way to the beach since 1972, and Caillouet Land Company, one of the private landowners, illegally placed the pilings on their property to block public access.

“The beach itself does not belong to anyone, it belongs to the state making it accessible to the public,” said Councilman Daniel Lorraine. “Joseph Caillouet blocked the parish right of way, and he knows he’s wrong. But if he can block it and nobody says anything so be it. However, we made a case out of it and checked with the Attorney General’s Office and you can not block a parish right of way.”

Lorraine said the shoe is on the other foot. Caillouet Land Company will now have to prove that the pilings are in place properly.

Caillouet Land Company refused to comment on the allegations.

Parish President Charlotte Randolph said at anytime the administration could have removed the pilings. However, she wanted council approval before any drastic measures were taken.

“With council approval, I will make a recommendation to the port commission to remove the pilings,” she said.

Lorraine said the people of the parish deserve a form of “cheap” recreation in the parish. According to him, the beach is used for surf fishing, swimming and crabbing.

“There are people from all over (Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, Baton Rouge and New Orleans) that come to the beach because it is a cheap form of recreation for families,” he said. “Not everyone can afford to bring their children to theme parks.”

The opening of the beach would in turn help the economy, he said, especially the small businesses in Leeville that need exposure to tourists and travelers.

Vehicle access is limited to Port Fourchon and the public is not permitted to go on the private property of the landowners. Signs will be placed designating all restricted areas, Falgout said.

The Harbor Police is patrolling the beach.

The port commissioner also cautioned the public to take every safety precaution when enjoying the beach, especially when young children are involved.

In addition, all parties involved urge visitors to keep the beach clean. The beachfront district has placed a huge dumpster for all trash and unwanted items.

“Let’s keep the beach clean even if you have to pick up trash that does not belong to you,” Falgout said.