St. Tammany Parish Infrastructure Committee : July 29, 2026

The St. Tammany Parish Infrastructure Committee meeting on July 29, 2026, focused primarily on the status and progress of the derelict vessel removal program. Ross Liner, Director of Planning and Development, and Randy Sundy from Coastal Environments Incorporated provided detailed updates on multiple grant-funded projects aimed at removing abandoned vessels from parish waterways. The committee discussed the significant investment of approximately $289,000 in local matching funds that leveraged over $3.1 million in federal and state grants, enabling the removal of around 57 vessels with more identified for future removal. Challenges such as regulatory permitting, environmental protections, and high removal costs were highlighted. The committee also deliberated on the need for ongoing funding to sustain the program, potential policy measures to prevent future vessel abandonment, and the establishment of a drop-off or safe harbor program for proper vessel disposal. Additionally, the meeting addressed concerns about traffic and safety issues on Bootlegger Road, including the feasibility and cost implications of constructing a J-turn or alternative traffic solutions near the First Baptist Church, with discussions on right-of-way constraints and utility relocations. No formal votes or contract awards were recorded during the meeting, but several action items related to budgeting and future planning for vessel removal and road improvements were discussed.