[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
TWIN PARISH PORT COMMISSION PORT SITE STUDY OCTOBER,1981 Emmett Bares President Noicy J. Langlinais James H. Trahan Vice President Secretary-Treasurer Commissioners Palmer P. Barras L. Relie LeBlanc, III Royal P. Mayard k@ Leo Crappell, Sr. Doyle P. Dooley, Sr. Nicholas Mitchell Curney J. Dronet Velton Stelly William P. Comeaux-Executive Director A RUN VC, ,F 10, "M F VK 1, All 365 D4 To 5: 41, P67 1981 L I@Iwr MT@ W_ At- .. .... Prepared J. E. Schexnaider & Assoc Consulting Engineers PORT SITE STUD October, 1981 This study was conducted to determine the potential of two sites under option with the Twin Parish Port Commission for the development of a mooring facility on the Delcambre Canal near the Town of Delcambre, 0 Ln Louisiana and an inland barge facility on the Boston Bayou near the community of BostoA, Louisiana. KI -2-wd Prepared for: Twin Parish Port Commission Prepared By: J. E. Schexnaider & Associates, Consulting Engineers This report was financed in part by the Twin Parish Port Commission and in part through the Federal Coastal Energy Impact Program, Section 308 (b) Grant administered by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. J. E. SCHMAIDER & ASSOCIATES CONSULTING ENGINEERS and LAND SURVEYORS U ABBEVILLE, LOUISIANA 70510 P.O. BOX 579 JOSEPH E. SCHEXNAIDER, P.E., P.L.S. March 17, 1982 TELEPHONE 318/893-8397 JOHN B. BENOIT, P.L.S. Twin Parish Port Commission P. 0. Box 100 Erath, LA 7n533 Gentlemen: We are pleased to submit@herewith the results of our study of proposed port sites on the Delcambre Canal and Bayou Boston. We have prepared a detailed analysis of the two sites which you---presently have under option. It is our conclusion that the proposed Delcambre mooring facility can be adequately developed to alleviate the current problems created by the limited facilities now existing along the Delcambre Canal. The Boston Inland Barge facility also presents great poten- tial in initiating industrial expansion in that area but should be placed second in priority to the Delcambre Facility because -of the extreme congestion now existing in the Delcambre area. We are pleased to have this opportunity of working with you and we are looking forward to supporting you in your continuing efforts to stimulate industrial growth in your .district. Very truly yours, J. E. SCHEXNAIDER & ASSOCIATES BY: Z' seA E. Scliexnai@4_r, P.E. i /mod II aa 1444--'L E se E_ Sjmod TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SECTION I INTRODUCTION ........................................................ I-1 SECTION II PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE TWIN PARISH PORT COMMISSION ............ II-1 Port of Iberia ................................................ II-1 Twin Parish Port District ..................................... 11-4 SECTION III HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND ................................. III-1 History of Iberia Parish ...................................... III-1 History of Vermilion Parish ............... .................... 111-2 History of DelcambTe .......................................... 111-4 SECTION IV INVENTORY OF DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC FACTORS ...................... IV-1 Demographic Factors ........................................... IV-1 Population Trends .......................................... IV-1 Existing Population Characteristics ........................ IV-3 Racial Distribution ..................................... IV-7 Age and Sex Distribution ................................ IV-7 Educational Attainments ......... :'**-'***--******* IV-9 Residential Density and Distribution .................... IV-14 Population Projections .................................. IV-15 Economic Factors .............................................. IV-16 Tax Assessment and Land Value .............................. IV-17 Employment Status .......................................... IV-17 Economic Base .............................................. IV-21 Commercial Fishing ...................................... IV-26 Agriculture ............................................. IV-33 Energy-related Industry ................................. IV-40 SECTION V SIGNIFICANT AREA WATER RESOURCES ................................... V-1 Bayou Teche ................................................... V-2 Freshwater Bayou .............................................. V-3 Petit Anse, Tigre, and Carlin Bayous .......................... V-5 Gulf Intracoastal Waterway .................................... V-5 Vermilion River ............................................... V-6 Bayou Vermilion ............................................... V-7 Vermilion Lock ................................................ V-7 Vermilion Bay ................................................. V-7 TABLE OF CONT M S (continued) Page SECTION V1 DETERMINATION AND IMPACTS .......................................... VI-1 Site A - Delcambre ............................................. VI-1 Location and Description ................................... VI-1 Financial Considerations .................................... VI-1 Environmental Determinations ............................... VI-2 Economic and Social Impacts ................................ VI-4 Site B - Boston ........ VI-5 Location and Description ................................... VI-5 Financial Considerations ................................... VI-5 Environmental Determinations ............................... VI-5 Economic and Social Impacts ................................ VI-8 SECTION VII ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ......... ........................... VII-1 SECTION VIII PRELIMINARY PLANNED DESIGNS AND LAYOUTS OF PROPOSED FACILITIES ..... VIII-I BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................... LIST OF TABLES Page 1. Population Trends, State of Louisiana, 1900-1980 ..................................................... IV-2 2. Population Trends, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1900-1980 ..................................................... IV-4 3. Population Trends, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1900-1980 .......................................... IV-5 4. Population Trends, Delcambre, Louisiana, 1910-1980 ..................................................... IV-6 S. Population By Age and Sex, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1970 ................................................ IV-8 6. Population By Age and Sex, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1970 ....................................... IV-10 7. Population By Age and Sex, Delcambre, Louisiana, 1970 ............................................... IV-11 8. Educational Attainments of Persons 25 Years Old and Over, Iberia Parish, Louisiana,.1970 .................. IV-12 9. Educational Attainments of Persons 25 Years Old and Over, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1970 ............... IV-13 10. Assessed Valuation and Estimated Land Value, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1965-1979 ........................... IV-18 11. Assessed Valuation and Estimated Land Value, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1965-1979 ........................ IV-19 12. Assessed Valuation and Estimated Land Value, Ward 1, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1965-1979 ................... IV-20 13. Employment Status, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1965-1980 ..................................................... IV-22 14. Employment Status, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Jan uary-June, 1981 ............................................ IV-23 15. Employment Status, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1965-1980 ..................................................... IV-24 16. Employment Status, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, January-June, 1981 ............................................ IV-25 17. Resident Employment Trends By Industry, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1950-1970 .................................. IV-27 LIST OF TABLES (continued) Page 18. Resident Employment Trends by Industry, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1950-1970 ....................... IV-28 19. Size and Value of Commercial Landings, Louisiana,,1975-1979 ......................................... IV-30 20. Size and Value of Commercial Landings, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1976-1978 .......................... IV-31 21. Size and Value of Commercial Landings., Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1976-1978 ....................... IV-32 22. Size and Value of Commercial Landings, Delcambre Port, Louisiana, 1976-1978 ......................... IV-34 23. Acreage Planted for Rice, Sugarcane, and Soybeans, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1950-1975 ................ IV-35 24. Estimated Income From Marketed Agricultural Products, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1975-1979 ................ IV-36 25. Acreage Planted for Rice, Sugarcane, and Soybeans, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1950-1975 ............. IV-38 26. Estimated Income From Market ed Agricultural Products, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1975-1979 ............. IV-39 27. Cash Grain Production, Potential Boston Terminal Hinterland, 1978 .................................... IV-41 28. Soybean Production in Four Parish Area, 1966-1978 .................................................... IV-42 29. Rice Production, Potential Boston Terminal Hinterland, 1978 ............................................. IV-43 30. Rice Production in Three Parish Area, 1966-1979 .................................................... IV-44 31. Oil and Gas Production, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1955-1976 ......................................... IV-46 32. Inland Oil and Gas Fields, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1976 .............................................. IV-47 33. Offshore Oil and Gas Fields, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, 1976 .............................................. IV-48 34. Oil and Gas Production, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1955-1976 ......................................... IV-49 LIST OF TABLES (continued) Page 3S. Inland Oil and Gas Fields, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1976 .............................................. IV-50 36. Offshore Oil and Gas Fields, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 1976 ............................................... IV-51 37. Annual Tonnage of Cargo, Freshwater Bayou, 1968-1976 ....................................................... V-4 38. Annual Tonnage of Cargo, Vermilion River, 1959-1976 .................................................... V-8 39. Vermilion Lock Statistics, 1968-1976 .......................... V-9 40. Soil Interpretations For Selected Uses, Site A -.Delcambre, Louisiana ................................ VI-3 41. Soil Interpretations For Select ed Uses, Site B Boston, Louisiana ................................... VI-7 INTRODUCTION The Twin Parish Port Commission, which includes the parishes of Iberia and Vermilion, has experienced tremendous growth in energy-related industry in the past few years. The increasing activities of offshore oil and gas exploration have created a need for an additional industrial setting. The fishing and agricultural industries have also contributed much to the strong economy within the Port Commission's jurisdiction and should also be considered in future planning and development. The'intent of this study is to propose planned industrial port facilities to accommodate the diverse needs of these various industries and at the same provide maximum protection to the environment. In the past, the non-fishing industries have located in areas which are less than desirable and not compat- ible with the existing fishing industry and natural environment. For example, the shrimping industry at Delcambre Port has been adversely affected by the movement of the oil and gas industry support fleet; the docking of the larger industrial vessels, which are primarily steel and aluminum, alongside the fishing vessels (primarily wooden vessels) has resulted in damaged fishing vessels. The Delcambre Port is suffering overcrowding of docking facilities as a result of the increased-activity of fishing vessels and the increasing demand for port facilities for vessels serving oil and gas exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico. With professional planning, these various industries can co-exist and work together for the well being of the total economic stability of the area. It-:,-is--proposed to develop two sites within the Port Commission's authority to alleviate the existing problems and to accommodate the future economy of the area. The first proposal involves the development of a mooring area to complement the existing Delcambre Port facilities; in future sections of the report, this development may be referred to as Site A. The second development (Site B) would be the development of an inland barge facility and agricultural area at Boston. Both sites are located near sparsely populated areas which have industrial support facilities nearby. These two sites were selected after a thorough investigation of available and suitable property for the develop- ment of barge and docking facilities. These sites are under an option to purchase by the Twin Parish Port Commission. This study will further investigate and analyze the existing conditions in the study areas. Factors which will be taken into consideration include the present organization of the Twin Parish Port Commission, the historical and cultural background of the area, demographic and economic factors, water resources, preliminary designs, impacts of the proposed developments, and an environmental assessment of the sites. 1-2 P R E S E N T 0 R G A N I Z A T 1 0 N 0 F T H E T W I N P A R I S H P 0 R T C 0 M KII S S 1 0 N In reviewing the operation of port districts throughout the United States, it has been found that broad powers are necessary for successful port operation and development. It appears that the Board of Commissioners of the Twin Parish Port Commission is endowed with all of the required power and authority to assure the successful organization and operation of municipal terminal facilities and to guide and control the development of the entire district. The following information includes.specifics on both the Twin Parish Port Commission and the Iberia Parish Port Commission. Both are included because of an overlapping of territorial limits. PORT OF IBERIA The heading of Part III of Chapter I of TitJe 34 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 is redesignated, and Sections 241, 242, and 244 of said Tit le 34 are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 241.: Creation and Territorial Limits (Port of Iberia District) The Port of Iberia District (formerly known as the "New Iberia Port District") heretofore cyeated as a political sub- division of the State of Louisiana under the provisions of Act 128 of 1938, as amended by Act 446-of 1966 and Act 483 of 1974, is hereby declared to be and constituted a port, harbor, and terminal district Pursuant to Section 31 of Article XIV of the constitution of the state of Louisiana for the year 1921, as amended and as such, shall have all authority granted by said Section of the constitution as well as such authority,. powers, and jurisdiction as may be hereinafter provided by this Part, and its territorial limits are fixed-as follows: Parts of Iberia Parish and Vermilion Parish described with particularity below: Beginning at a point of the boundary line between St. Maftin Parish and Iberia Parish, at the point where the center- line of La. 182 intersects said boundary line, thence Southeasterly along the centerline of La. 182 to its intersection with the centerline of La. 88; thence Southwesterly along the centerline of La. 88 to its intersection with the range line between RSE and ME, and thence Southerly along said range line to its intersection with Parish Road 508; thence Westerly along said Parish Road 508 to its intersection with the centerline of U.S. Highway 90; thence Southeasterly along the centerline of U.S. 90 to its intersection with La. 3013; thence South- westerly to a point 1000 feet from the Western right-of-way line of U.S. Highway 90; thence Southeasterly parallel to and 1000 feet from U.S. Highway 90 to the Southwestern right- of-way line of U.S. Highway 90, to the section line between Sections 20 and 21 T12S, R6E, Southwestern Land District; thence Southerly between Sections 20 and 21, and between Sections 29 and 28, to the North line of Section 87, T12S, R6E; thence in a straight line to the corner common to Sections 16, 19, and 20, in T13S, R6E; thence continuing South between Section 19 and 20, 37 and 38, 4S and 44, to the corner common to Sections 44, 45, 48, and 49, in T13S, R6E; thence Westerly between Sections 4S and 48 to the corner common to Sections 45, 46, 47, and 48, in T13S, R6E, thence South between Sections 47 and 48, T13S, R6E, and continuing South between Sections 5 and 6, 8 and 7 to the Northern shore of Vermilion Bay; thence Westerly and Southerly along the shoreline of Vermilion Bay to the Western shoreline of Southwest Pass; thence Westerly along the shoreline to a point of the most Westerly Western line of the Paul Rainey Wildlife and Game Refuge; thence South to the most Southerly limits Of Vermilion Parish in the Gulf of Mexico; thence Easterly along the Southern limits of Vermilion and Iberia Parishes to the Iberia-St. Mary Parish line; thence following the Iberia-St. Mary Parish line through West Cote Blanche Bay, East Cote Blanche Bay and Vermilion Bay, and continuing along the Iberia-St. Mary Parish line; thence along the lower part of St. Martin Parish and Iberia Parish; thence following the Iberia Parish and Assumption Parish line; thence following the line between Iberia and Iberville Parishes to a point where it reaches the Iberia-St. Martin Parish line; thence along said line to the intersection of Louisiana 182, the point of beginning. 242. Board of commissioners, members, officers, agents, and empl ees The governing authority of the district shall be a board of commissioners to be known as the Board of Commissioners of the Port of Iberia. The board shall consist of seven members who shall be citizens of the United States and resi- dents of the district or the division of the district from which appointed during their term of office, to be appointed as follows: two commissioners shall be appointed on September 18, 1978, each for a term of six years, one of whom shall be appointed by the mayor and board of aldermen of Jeanerette; the.successors to the two commissioners whose terms expire 11-2 on November 12, 1978 shall be appointed by the mayor and council of New Iberia each to serve until September 18, 1984; the suc- cessors to the three commissioners whose terms expire on November 12, 1980 and on November 12, 1981 shall be appointed by the governing authority of the Parish of Iberia each to serve until September 18, 1984. Upon the expiration of their respective terms of office, their successors shall be appointed by the respective governing authorities for terms of six years each. The successors to the three commissioners who are to be ap- pointed by the governing authority of Iberia Parish shall be appointed one from@each of the three divisions of the district, such divisions shall be created and established by the governing authority of Iberia Parish in such manner as to provide for approximately the same population in each such division. Each vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the authority which appointed the commissioner. Any commissioner may be removed by the appointing authority, but only for cause and on charges preferred against him in writing and after public hearing and proof,of the sufficiency of the charges; provided, that any commissioner so removed shall have the right to test in the courts the sufficiency of the charges and of the evidence tendered in Support thereof. The commissioners shall serve without compensation and shall have the power to organize and reorganize legal, exe- cutive, engineering, clerical, and other departments and forces of the board and to fix the duties, powers, and compen- sation of all officers, agents, and employees of the said board. 244. Officers of board; meetings; agents and employees The board shall elect from among its own members a presi- dent, vice president, a secretary and treasurer, whose duties shall be those usual to such offices. At the option of the board the offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by one p;rson. The board shall meet in regular session once each month and shall also meet in special session as often as the president of the board shall convene them or on written request of four members; four members of the board shall constitute a quorum. The board shall prescribe rules to govern its meetings, shall maintain suitable offices in the district, and may contract with and employ attorneys, clerks engineers, deputy commissioners, superintendents, stevedores: and other agents and employees and shall fix their compensa- tion and term of employment.. 11-3 TWIN PARISH PORT DISTRICT Section 2. Sect'ion 1601 of Title 34 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 1601. Creation and Territorial Limits (Twin Parish Port District) The Twin Parish Port District, (previously known as the I'Delcambre Port Commission") hereinafter referred to as the district, is hereby created as a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana, and its territorial limits are hereby fixed as follows: Iberia Parish: Beginning at a point on the boundary line between St. Martin Parish and Iberia Parish, at the point where the centerline of La. 182 intersects said boundary line, thence southeasterly along the centerline of La. 182 to its intersection with the centerline of La. 88; thence southwesterly along the centerline of La. 88 to its intersection with the range line between RSE and R6E, and thence southerly along said range line to its intersection with Parish Road S08; thence westerly along said Parish Road 508 to its intersection with the centerline of U.S. Highway 90; thence southeasterly along the centerline of U.S. 90 to its intersection with La. 3013; thence south- westerly to a point 1000 feet from the western right-of-way line of U.S. Highway 90; thence southeasterly parallel to and 1000 feet from U.S. Highway 90 to the southwestern right-of- way line of U.S -Highway 90, to the section line between Sections 20 and 21 T12S, R6E, Southwestern Land District; thence southerly between Sections 20 and 21, and between Sections 29 and 28, to the north line of Section 87, T12S, R6E; thence in a straight line to the corner common to Sections 16, 19, and 20, in T13S, R6E; thence continuing south between Section 19 and 20, 37 and 38, 45 and 44, to the corner common to Sections 44, 45, 48, and 49, in T13S, R6E; thence westerly between Sections 45 and 48 to the corner common to Sections 45, 46, 47, and 48, in T13S, R6E, thence south between Sections 47 and 48, T13S, R6E, and continuing south between Sections 5 and 6, 8 and 7 to the northern shore of Vermilion Bay; thence generally easterly and southerly along the northern and eastern shoreline. of Vermilion Bay to the boundary line between Iberia and St. Mary Parishes; thence following said boundary line to and through East Cote Blanche Bay, West Cote Blanche Bay and thence southerly along said boundary line to the lower limits.of Iberia Parish in the Gulf of Mexico; thence generally westerly following the southern limits of Iberia Parish to its inter- section with the boundary line between Iberia Parish and Vermilion Parish; thence continuing westerly along the southern limits of Vermilion Parish; thence continuing westerly along the southern limits of Vermilion Parish to a .point due south 11-4 of the most westerly western line of the Paul Rainey wildlife Game Refuge; thence north to the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico; thence easterly following said shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico to Southwest Pass; thence following the western shoreline of Southwest Pass and Vermilion Bay around to the boundary line between Vermilion Parish and Iberia Parish; thence following the boundary line between Iberia Parish and Vermilion Parish in a generally northerly direction to and around Lake Peigneur and continuing northerly along said line and the line between Iberia,and Lafayette Parishes to the point common to Iberia, Lafay- ette and St. Martin Parishes; thence easterly along the boundary line. between Iberia and St. Martin Parishes to the point of beginning, to the intersection of La. 182. Vermi,lion Parish: Wards one and all of Ward 2 less and except that portion of Ward 2 lying West of the following described line, beginning at a point on the common boundary line of Wards 2 and 3 formed by the Intersection of the center- line of Youngs Coulee and the West line of Fractional Section 8, T13S - R4E, thence in a Southerly direction through T13S - R4E, along the West lines of Fractional Section 17, Section 20, Section 29, and Section 32 to the North Line of T14S - R4E, thence continuing Southerly through T14S - ME, along the West lines of Sections 5, 8, 17, 20, 29 and 32 to the North Line of T15S - ME, thence continuing through T15S - ME, in a Southerly direction along the West line of Section 6 and 7 to the Vermilion Bay Shoreline, thence in a Southeasterly direction through Vermilion Bay to a point located on the common boundary line between Vermilion Parish Wards 2 and 7 whose geographic position is 29 42'30" North Latitude, 92 5'00" West Longitude. Section 3. If any provision or item of this Act or the application thereof is held invalid,, such invalidity shall not affect other provision, Ltems, or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications, and to this end the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed. 1602. Board of commissioners; members; vacancy; composition; officers agents and employees A. A board of commiss ioners hereinafter referred to as the board, is hereby created, which shall be the governing authority of said district. It shall consist of eleven members, who shall be citizens of the United States and qualified voters within the limits of said district during their term of office. The members of the board shall serve overlapping terms of five years each. On or after October 1, 1977, the members shall be appointed in the following -inner: 11-5 (2) Two members shall be appointed by the governing authority of Iberia Parish from ward one of said parish and the initial terms of the members so appointed shall be for three years each; (3) Two members shall be appointed by the governing authority of Vermilion Parish, one of whom shall be appointed from ward one of said parish and one of whom shall be appointed from ward two of said parish, and the initial terms of those members so appointed shall be-for two years each; (4) In addition to the above members, the governing authority of Vermilion Parish shall appoint one member from either ward one or ward two of said parish, who shall serve an initial term of two years: and, (5) In addition to the above members, the town of Erath shall appoint three members who shall serve initial terms of one year each. Thereafter the successors to each of the members shall serve terms of five years each. All board members shall serve without compensation. B. Any vacancy occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term by the authority that made the original appointment. C. The board shall elect from among its own members a president, a vice president, a secretary and a treasurer, whose respective duties shall be prescribed by the board. At the option of the board the office of the secretary and treasurer may be held by one person. The board shall meet in a regular session once each month, and shall also meet in special session at the call of the president of the board, or on the written request of five members of the board. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum and all action or res- olutions of the board must be approved by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the voting members of the board, and the president of the board shall vote only when necessary to break a tie vote. The board shall prescribe rules to govern its meetings and shall fix the place at which meetings shall be held. D. The board may authorize a reasonable travel allowance for its members in the performance of their official duties, and it may employ such officers, agents and employees as it may find necessary in the performance of its duties, and may prescribe the duties, powers and compensation of such officers, agents and employees. 1603. Rights and powers of board The board may, upon such terms as it may agree upon, contract for legal, financial, engineering and other pro-@. fessional services necessary or expedient in the conduct of its affairs, and it may, upon terms and conditions mutually agreeable, utilize the services of the other executive depart- ments of the state. The district shall regulate the commerce and traffic within such port area in such manner as may, in its judgment, be for the 11-6 best interest of the state. It shall have charge of and administer public wharves, docks, sheds and landings, and shall be empowered to construct or acquire and equip wharves and landings and other structures useful for the commerce of the port area and to provide mechanical facilities therefor; to construct slips and inlets and wharves for the fa'cilitation of agricultural commodities including, but not limited to slips and inlets and wharves for'the transportation of agri- cultural commodities and the facilitation of handling facilities; to construct inlets, slips, wharves and all other structures for the facilitation and handling and sale of all natural re- sources, including but not limited to all forms of seafood; to erect sheds or other structures on such wharves and landings; to maintain proper depths of water at all such wharves and landings; to provide light, water, police protection and other services for its facilities as it may deem advisable; to construct or acquire, maintain and operate basins, locks, canals, warehouses and elevators; to charge for the use of all facilities administered by it and for all services rendered by it, such fees, rates, tariffs, or other charges as it may establish; to establish harbor lines within the port area by agreement with the Corps of Engineers; and to construct, own, operate and maintain terminal rail facilities and other common carrier rail facilities for the purpose of rendering rail transportation to and from the facilities to be erected, owned and operated by the district in both intrastate and interstate commerce; and to construct recreational facilities to accom- modate existing.and future industry. The legislature shall not impair any contract lawfully entered into by the district. Title to all property and improvements thereon operated by the district shall vest in the Twin Parish Port District. The district may charge a reasonable fee to each vessel arriving in the port area in ballast or carrying cargo of any kind. It may also charge for each copy of any certificate issued by it or by any of its officers or employees for in- specting hatches, surveying cargo, or making other surveys or inspections of vessels in the port area, but shall furnish, without charge to the master of each such vessel one copy of all surveys upon his vessel or cargo. The district.shall have authority to make and enter into contracts, leases and other agreements with railroads, trucking companies, barge lines and with any and all companies in- terested in the transportation, storage and shipping of goods and other products, whether by rail, truck line, ocean going vessels or otherwise for the use of facilities administered by the district or any part or portion thereof, for a period of time not exceeding forty years. No exclusive franchise, however, shall bd granted to any carrier. The district is further authorized to receive, by gift, grant, donation or otherwise any sum of money, aid or assistance 11-7 from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or any political sub4ivision thereof. 1604. Authorit@ to levy and collect taxes; Issuance of bonds A. The district, when authorized to do so by a vote of a majority of the electors residing in the port area qualified to vote and voting at an election for such purpose in accordance with law, may levy annually on all property situated within the port area subject to taxation an ad valorem tax not to exceed ten mills on the dollar. The district, upon its own ittitiative, may call a special election and submit to the qualified electors of the port area the question of authorizing the levy of such a tax. The district shall call such a special election when requested to do so by petition in writing signed by one- fourth of the qualified electors eltgible to vote at such election. These special taxes shall be levied, assessed, and collected on the property within the port area under the same methods, terms, and conditions and at the same time as parish and district taxes are levied, assessed, and collected. These taxes shall be secured by the same liens upon the property subject to taxation within the port areas taxes for parish and district purposes. The property subject to any taxes within said port area shall be sold for failure to pay the same in the manner as property is sold for delinquent parish and district taxes under the laws of the state. B. The provisions of the constitution and all laws re- gulating the collection of taxes, the creating of tax liens and mortgages, and tax penalties and tax sales shall also apply to the collection of all taxes authorized by this Section. The sheriffs and ex officio tax collectors for the parishes of Iberia and Vermilion, respectively, shall make a monthly settlement with the treasurer of the district and receive from him a receipt for the amount of taxes paid over in the manner tax collectors are required by law to make settlements for patish taxes. The tax collector shall receive from the treasurer the tame quietus for a full settlement of taxes due and exigible in any given year and account for the delinquents or deductions in the same manner as though accounting to the parish. Upon the failure of the tax collector to comply with the provisions of this Section, the district shall proceed against him and the sureties on his official bond for the collection of whatever money is owing to the district for such special taxes. C. With the approval of the State Bond Commission, the district may incur debts for its lawful purposes, and issue in its name, negotiable bonds or notes therefor, and pledge for the payment of the principal and interest of such negotiable bonds or notes the revenues derived from the operation of properties and facilities maintained and operated by it or received by the district from any taxes authorized under this Section or from other sources; however, the amount of such bonds or notes out- standing at any one time shall not exceed five million dollars. Su ch bonds, when authorized to be issued, shall constitute a general obligation of the district, to which the full faith and credit of the district shall be and is hereby pledged. in addition to the pledge of revenues to secure said bonds and notes, the district may further secure their payment by conventional mortgage upon any or all of the properties constructed, or ac- quired or or be constructed and acquired by it. The district also may receive, by gift, grant, donation, or otherwise, any sum of money, aid or assistance from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or any political subdivision thereof, and unless otherwise provided by the terms of such gift, grant, or donation, in its discretion, may pledge all or any part of such monies for the further securing of the payment of the principal and interest of its bonds or notes. D. For the purpose of acquiring lands for the uses of the district and to provide funds for the making and coast- truction of the public works, facilities and improvements, the board is authorized to issue revenue bonds in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions of Subpart C, Part I, 0 Chapter 10, Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as well as Subpart B, Part I, Chapter 10, Title 33. The board is also authorized to incur debt and issue tax secured bonds for the above purposes in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions of Subpart A, Part III, Chapter 4. Title 39. E. The provisions of the Section shall not be deemed to supersede the requirements of R.S. 39:501 to 39:514. Notwith- standing any provision of this Chapter to the contrary the provisions of R.S. 39:1421 to 39:1426 sball'be applicable to the Delcambre Port Commission. F. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to supersede or repeal any provisions of Act 689 of the 1976 Regular Session. 1605. Right to expropriate .The Twin Parish Fort District may acquife by expropriation in accordance with the expropriation law of the state of Louisiana any wharves, landings or any other properties necessary for the benefit and advantage of the commerce of the said commission. See next page for map of district boundaries. I1_9 LAFAYErrE YEAWAL ION 8 18ERIA PARISHES MAURICE VICJMITY MAP .j 5 ruD Y rArAPLAN AROVIA14:LE AREA NEW 18ERIA ERArH MORE HENRr CARLIA( APR r BOSTON BAYOV iA 1mrRAcoAsml- clry 00 VAERIVIL IONr." WHIrE LAKE 41/k 108AY -rT cu L pit 00 "Soo 40CA'S DENOTES TWIN PARISH PORT COMMISSION BOUNDARY IL ION 8 IWARIA P @NITHE GULF OF MEXICO PREPARED BY: SCALE OF MILES J. E. SCHEXNA IDER & ASSOCIATES H I S T 0 RJ C A L A N D C U L T U R A L B A C K G R 0 U N D The purpose of this section is to provide an overview of the historical and cultural background of Iberia Parish, Vermilion Parish and the Town of Delcambre. HISTORY OF IBERIA PARISH The original inhabitants of the region now known as Iberia Parish were the Attakapas Indians. Traces of the Attakapas are still visible. On Weeks Island is an Indian I'midden" in the shape of an alligator where the dead are buried. The Town of Loreauville has remains of an Indian village and Avery Island has been excavated to reveal Indian life existing there thousands of years ago. By 1723, the French had divided Louisiana into seven districts, with the: Attakapas area within the Orleans District. The lure of the New World proved to be a strong influence on France, who sent groups of explorers and colonizers to establish settlements in Louisiana. What is now known as Iberia Parish is one of the oldest settlements in the. State of Louisiana. The first attempt at settlement was made by the French in 1765. Closely following the French was a group of exiled Aca,dians from Nova Scotia, numbering some 230. They arrived destitute in New Orleans on February 8, 1765, having come by way of Santo Domingo. These Acadians were the nucleus of a colony within the French settleme nt. These courageous Frenchmen and Acadians left a long line of descendants whose names are still: recognizable in Iberia Parish and many still speak French fluently. Early Spanish settlers also left their influence on Iberia Parish. When Louisiana was transferred from France to Spain, the government made plans to develop the natural resources of this rich country and sent out an expedition in 1769 through the Attakapas region to obtain an oath of loyalty from the inhabitants, take a census and gather information concerning the land and its inhabitants. III-1 In 1776, a report was sent to the King of Spain requesting that efforts be made to colonize certain choice portions. The.Attakapas area was listed as one of the choice areas. The French and Acadians had succeeded in establishing homes along the northern part of the Bayou Teche. The land was fertile with many streams and the climate was good making the area desirable for future development and habitation. As a result of the report, about five hundred men, women and children were settled in the area-during the year 1778. Some of these colonists were from Spain, but most were Frenchmen -recruited from New Orleans. The French influence was more prominent; however, typical Spanish names are still found in the area. On October 301, 1868, the Parish of Iberia was formed by taking a part of St. Martin Parish and a part of St. Mary Parish. This made a total of five parishes out of the former Attakapas area. Iberia Parish was created At the first session of the Louisiana State Legislature after the Civil War. Iberia Parish, which may be defined as a coastal parish, is bounded on the north by St. Martin Parish, east by Assumption Parish, south by St. Martin Parish and Cote Blanche Bay and west by Vermilion Parish. HISTORY OF VERMILION PARISH The primary frontiersmen of the area now known as Vermilion Parish were exiled Acadians of Nova Scotia and settlers from France. Sparsely scattered Spanish settlers were also in the area at this time. They made their homes in this natur- ally abundant area as early as 1757. The Acadians found happiness here, after suffering persecution at the hands of the English. The Acadians and the native French settlers spoke the same language and had Roman Catholicism as their religion. The pioneers completely depended upon the land for their existence. Initially they were fishermen and trappers. Progressively they began to establish homes; 111-2 agriculture and ranching began to develop. They built their dwellings of logs which they felled. These early homes were built on a slight ridge bordering the prairie to protect against flood waters and to enable the owner to oversee live- stock. The people were hard working, industrious individuals determined to begin a life for themselves from nothing but the natural elements around them. Before Vermilion was incorporated as a parish of Louisiana, it was part of Lafayette Parish. The City of Lafayette was originally known as Vermilionville. In the year 1844, the legislature incorporated the Parish of Vermilion, as it is now known. It was a beautiful and fertile region; a vast expanse of prairie, interspersed with moss-covered woodlands flourished. Bayous and smaller waterways called '!coulees" wound their way to the Gulf of Mexico, which formed the southern boundary of the Parish. On the eastern border of the Parish was Lake Peigneur and on the west Lake Arthur. Near the middle was Vermilion River, which divided the parish into two sections. This waterway, generally referred to as the bayou, was navigable to steamboats and schooners at all times. It furnished the chief means of transportation before railroads came to the area. Many coulees and bayous ran in various directions to furnish good drainage for the Parish. These were given colorful names such as Bayou Tigre, Bayou Isle de Canne and Coulee de Noix. The northern part of the Parish bordered Lafayette Parish. The climate in Vermilion Parish was usually agreeable. The winters were mild with an average temperature of 53 degrees. Summer heat was seldom severe because of the cooling breezes of the Gulf. Comparably mild winters and summers were a great advantage to the early settlers, who dealt with the elements daily. During the spring and fall wild flowers grew in abundance. In the coastal marshes, yellow, rust and purple irises, white honeysuckle, buttercups, primrose, cherokee roses and wild Violets were found along the edges of the woods and in the prairies. There was an average annual rainfall of S4 inches, which assured the farmer of 111-3 sufficient moisture to grow large quantities of rice. Vermilion Parish's rich natural resources were a great advantage to its early citizens, as well as to the inhabitants of today. HISTORY OF DELCAMBRE Twelve miles from New Iberia (the parish seat of Iberia Parish) is the Town of Delcambre. It is one of the oldest towns in the Parish and is divided by the Iberia/Vermilion Parish line. The King of Spain, about the year 1790, made three grants of land in this general area: the Jefferson Island area, the northern area of the Delcambre Community and the area which is presently the Town of Delcambre. These lands were then settled by Spanish families: Trahan, Nunez, Sonnier, Miguez, Gutierrez and Romero. The Spanish influence is also recognizable in the prepar- ation of certain foods. Two additional land grants of significance were made to Charles and Louis Delcambre, two brothers from Belgium. The Acadians, exiled from Nova Scotia, were welcomed by the Delcambre brothers and settled the land in exchange for homesteads.-. Such French names as LeBlanc, Broussard, Guidry, Landry, Fontenot, Hebert, LeMaire, Boudreaux, Thibodeaux and others are still in evidence in the Delcambre area. The French culture, customs and language still continues today. In 1897, Desire Delcambre donated the land on which the Catholic church and cemetery are located, and it is believed that the Town was named after him. In 1900, the name of the post office was changed to Delcambre Post Office in honor of Desire Delcambre. The name of the railroad station was also changed to Delcambre in 1903. Delcambre was incorporated as a village on November 27, 1907. In 1910, a bank was built and a water system installed, and in 1938, a city hall and a new water works plant were constructed, On June 3, 1946, the Village of Delcambre was re-classified as the Town ofF 111-4 Delcambre. The Town of Delcambre is governed by a mayor and a board of five aldermen elected by the people. Farmers, cattlemen, and men who make their living on crew boats and oil rigs, which serve the oil industry in the gulf, also reside in Delcambre. However, the shrimping industry is the main occupation of the residents and shrimp ia the most valuable resource. DelcambTe is referred to as "the shrimp capital of Louisiana". The main attraction of the year in Delcambre is the Annual Shrimp Festival and Fair, usually held the third weekend of"AjIgust.-.. 111-5 INVENTORY OF DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC FACTORS This section of the study will provide an inventory and analysis of the demographic and economic factors prevalent in the study areas. DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS The demographic factors that will be taken into consideration are past popu- lation trends, the current and/or most recent population statistics pertaining to density, distribution, and age components, and projected population figures for the future. This analysis will provide a general overview of the past, present, and future population elements. One clarifying statement should be made regarding the 1980 Census figures used herein. Although the 1980 Census figures were released as final, the following statement was included in the advance report: "The 1980 figures in this publication are subject to change pending the outcome of the various lawsuits dealing with the census counts," Population Trends Since 1900, the national population has increased approximately 13.0 percent per decade. During this same period, Louisiana's population has increased an average of 15.0 percent per decade and is, therefore, somewhat higher than the national average. Table I shows the State's population by decade since 1900 along with the percentage change., The average population growth for Iberia Parish for the decades of 1900-1980 was 11.2 percent which is lower than the national trend (13.0 percent) and the state trend (15.0 pe rcent). The only decline in population in Iberia Parish occurred duringthe decade between 1910 and 1920 and amounted to 14.1 percent. IV-1. TAB LE 1 POPULATION TRENDS STATE OF LOUISIANA 1900 - 1980 Percentage Year Population Change 1900 1,381,625 1910 1,656,388 +19.9% 1920 1,798,509 + 8.6% 1930 2,101,593 +16.9% 1940 2,363,880 +12.5% 1950 2,683,516 +13.5% 196 0 3,257,022 +21.4% 1970 3,644,637 +11.9% 1980 4,203,972 +15.3% Average +1S.0% SOURCES: James Calhoun, ed., Louisiana Almanac, 197.9-1980. Gretna, Louisiana: 1979. U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1980 Census of Population and Housing - Louisiana (Advance Report). Washington, D.C.- March, 1981. IV-2 The population showed the greatest increase percentage-wise (31.9 percent) during the period between 1930 and 1940. The population trends in Iberia Parish are illustrated in Table 2. Population growth in Vermilion Parish has also been steady. Table 3 shows the statistics of this increase which has been equal to 11.7 percent per decade for the years 1900-1980, or slightly less than the national and state trends. Only the years between 1940 and 1950 show a temporary decline. The population increased the most by percentage (27.5 percent) between 1900 and 1910; this was closely followed by a 27.2 percent increase between 1920 and 1930. In addition to the overall growth statistics of both parishes, the Town of Delcambre experienced phenomenal growth periods during the 1910-1980 decades; Delcambre had no recorded habitation prior to 1910.. The average increase per decade was 35.2 percent. The highest increase by percent occurred from 1930 to 1940 with 96.1 percent and the lowest increase was 6.4 percent between 1960 and 1970. Theipopulation trends are presented in Table 4. As can be seen from all of the tables presented on population trends, each of the three study areas has exhibited very consistent increases in population since@ the early 1900's. Existing Population'Characteristics This section will provide an analysis of the characteristics of the population in Iberia Parish, Vermilion Parish, and Delcambre. Since the 1980 census figures on characteristics of the population and characteristics of the housing units have not yet been -released, the figures released by the 1970 census will have to be utilized. IV-3 TABLE 2 POPULATION TRENDS IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1900 1980 Percentage Year Population Change 1900 29,015 1910 31,262 + 7.7% 1920 26,855 -14.1% 1930 28,192 + 5.0% 37,183 +31.9% 1950 40,059 + 7.7% 1960 51,657 +29.0% 1970 57,397 +11.1% 1980 63,752 +11.1% Average +11.2% SOURCES: James Calhoun, ed., Louisiana Almanac, 1979 1980. Gretna, Louisiana: 1979. U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1980 Census of Population and Housing - Louisiana (Advance Report). Washington, D.C.: March, 1981. IV-4 TABLE 3 POPULATION TRENDS VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1900 1980 Percentage Year Population Change 1900 20,705 1910 26,390 +27.5% 1920 26,482 + 0.4% 1930 33,684 +27.2% 1940 37,750 +12.1% 1950 36,929 - 2.2% 1960 38,1855 + 5.2% 1970 43,071 +10.9% 1980 48,458 +12.5% Average +11.7% SOURCES: James Calhoun, ed., Louisiana Almanac, 1979-1980. Gretna, Louisiana: 1979. U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1980 Census of Population and Housing'- Louisiana (Advance Report). Washington, D.C.: March, 1981. IV-5 TABLE 4 POPULATION TRENDS DELCAMBRE, LOUISIANA 1910 - 1980 Percentage Year Population Change 1910 308 1920 443 +43.8% 1930 640 +44.5% 1940 1,255 +96.1% 1950 1,463 +16.6% 1960 1,857 +26.9% 1970 1,975 + 6.4% 1980 2.$216 +12.2% Average +35.2% SOURCES: James Calhoun, ed., Louisiana Almanac, 1979 1980. Gretna, Louisiana: 1979. U.S.. Bureau of the Census, 1980 Census of Population and Housing Louisiana (Advance Report). Washington, D.C.: March, 1981. IV-'6 Racial Distribution Of the 63,752 persons in Iberia Parish in 1980, 45,770 (71.8 percent) were. white, 17,640 (27.7 percent) were black, and 342 (0.5 percent) were identified as other; the other category includes American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, Asian and Pacific Islander, and any other race not included on the census questionnaire. In 1980, the population of Vermilion Parish was 48,4S8 persons of which 41,720 (86.1 percent) were white, 6,425 (13.3 percent) were black and 313 (0.6 percent) were other. The Town of Delcambre had 2,216 persons in 1980; the racial distribution was 1,893 white (85.4 percent), 298 black (13.5 percent), and 25 other (1.1 percent). Age and Sex Distribution Table 5 illustrates the composition of the population in Iberia Parish ac- cording to age and sex in 1970. In that year the total population consisted of 27,873 males (48.6 percent) and 29,524 females (51.4 percent). Table 5 also illustrates the age groupings of the 1970 population. The age groupings are shown by ten-year classifications with the exception of those cate- gorized as under five years and those categorized as sixty-five and over. As can be seen in that table, the highest ten-year category involves those between the ages of 5-14. That age group in 1970 is now the major childbearing element in Iberia Parish; if the economic situation can employ and retain these persons, the Population could continue to further increase. In 1970, there were 32,459 persons or 56.6 percent of the total population in the age range of 15-64 years which can be generally considered as the independent or active working group. According to the 1970 census information, the overall median age in Iberia Parish was 23.4 years which was somewhat lower than that of the State (24.8 years). IV-7 TABLE 5 POPULATION BY AGE AND SEX IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1970 AGE MALE FEMALE TOTAL GROUP No. % No. % No. % Under 5 years 3,159 11.3 3,078 10.4 6,237 10.9 5-14 7,276 26.1 7,026 23.8 14,302 24.9 15-24 4,481 16.1 4,907 16.6 9,388 16.3 2S-34 3,195 11.5 3,524 11.9. 6,719 11.7 35-44 2,998 10.8 3J-185 10.8 6,183 10.8 45-54 2,744 9.8. 2,915 9.9 5,659 9.9 55-64 2,193 7.9 2,317 7.9 4,510 7.8 65 and over 1,827 6.5 2,572 8.7 4,399 .7.7 T 0 T A L 27,873 100.0 29,524 100.0 57,397 100.0 SOURCE: U.S. Bure au of the Census, 1970 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics - Louisiana. Washington, D.C.: August, 1971. IV-8 The population by age and sex in Vermilion Parish in 1970 is shown in Table.6. In 1970 the total population was comprised of 20,931 males (48.6 percent) and 22,140 females (51.4 percent). The age groupings that existed in 1970 in Vermilion Parish are also shown in Table 6. Like Iberia Parish, the largest ten-year age category involved persons between the ages of.5 and 14. The percentage of the working group (ages 15-64) in Vermilion Parish in 1970 was S7.3 percent which was slighly higher than the corresponding percentage in Iberia Parish. The percentage of persons aged 65 and over is also higher in Vermilion Parish than in Iberia Parish. The median age in Vermilion Parish in 1970 was 27.0 years which was higher than that of both the State and Iberia Parish. In the Town of Delcambre, the population was comprised of 917 males (46.4 percent) and.1,058 females (53.6 percent) in 1970. These figures are shown in Table 7. As in the two parishes already reviewed, the largest ten-year category involved those persons in the age category of 5-14. The working age group involved 1,169 persons or 59.2 percent of the total population in 1970; this percentage was higher than in either Iberia or Vermilion Parish. The median age in the Town of Delcambre in 1970 was 25.0 years which was only slightly higher than that of the State. Educational Attainments The 1970 Census also provided information on the educational attainments of the persons 25 years old and over in each parish. This information is presented in Table 8 for Iberia Parish and in Table 9 for'Vermilion Parish. The Census does not provide detailed characteristics for educational attainments in towns or IV-9 TAB LE 6 POPULATION BY AGE AND SEX VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1970 AGE MALE FEMALE GROUP No. % No. % No. % Under 5 years 2,046 9.8 2,057 9.3 4,103 .9.5 5-14 4,938 23.6 4,939 22.3 9,877 22.9 15-24 3,279 15.7 3,348 15.1 6,627 15.4 25-34 2,229 10.7 2,339 10.6 4,568 10.6 35-44 2,283 10.9 2,406 10.9 4,689 10.9 45-54 21247 10,7 2,399 10.8 4,646 10.8 55-64 1,973 9.4 2,185 9.9 4,158 9.7 65 and over 1,936 9.2 2,467 11.1 4,403 10.2 T 0 T A L 20,931 100.0 22,140 100.0 43,071 100.0 SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1970 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics - Louisiana, Washington, D.C.: August, 1971. IV-10 TABLE 7 POPULATION BY AGE AND SEX DELCAMBRE, LOUISIANA 1970 AGE MALE FEMALE TOTAL GROUP No. % No. % No. % Under 5 years 108 11.8 102 9.6 210 10.6 5-14 181 19.7 239 22.6 420 21.3 15-24 172 18.8 186 17.6 358 18.1 25-34 101 11.0 96 9.1 197 10.0 35-44 99 10.8 112 10.6 211 10.7 45-54 95 10.4 103 9.7 198 10.0 55-64 101 11.0 104 9.18 205 10.4 65 and over 60 6.5 116 11.0 176 8.9 T 0 T A L 917 100.0 1,058 100.0 1,975 100.0 SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, First Count Summary Tape; 1970, as prepared by Louisiana Tech. Ruston, Louisiana. IV-11 TABLE 8 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS OF PERSONS 25 YEARS OLD AND OVER IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1970 SCHOOL YEARS MALE FEMALE TOTAL COMPLETED No. % No. % No. % No school years 1,118 8.7 1,149 8.0 2,267 8.3 Elementary 1-4 years 1,961 15.2 1,694 11.7 3,655 13.4 5-7 years 2,381 18.4 2,801 19.4 5,182 18.9 8 years 946 7.3 1,046 7.2 1,992 7.3 High School 1-3 years 2,098 16.2 2,920 20.2 5,018 18.3 4 years 2,714 21.0 3,342 23.2 6.,056 22.1 College 1-3 years 782 6.0 838 5.8 1,620 S.9 4 years or more 929 7.2 649 4.5 1,578 5.8 Total 12,929 100.0 14,439 100.0 27,368 100.0 Median School Years Completed 9.1 9.5 @9.3 Percentage of high school graduates 34.2 33.4 33.8 SOURCE: U.S..Bureau of the Census, 1970 Census of Population, General Social and Economic Characteristics - Louisiana. Washington, D.C.: February, 1972. TV-12 TABLE 9 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS OF PERSONS 25 YEARS OLD AND OVER VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1970 SCHOOL YEARS MALE FEMALE TOTAL COMPLETED No. % No. % No. % No school years 1,292 12.1 1,499 12.7 2,791 12.4 Elementary 1-4 years 1,523 14.3 1,356 11.S 2,879 12.8 5-7 years 2,299 21.6 2.9 651 22.5 4,950 22.1 8 years 908 8.5 978 8.3 1,886 8.4 High School 1-3 years 1,633. 15.3 2,113 18.0 3,746 16.7 4 years 1,940 18.2 2,229 18.9 4,169 18.6 College 1-3 years 473 4.4 565 4.8 1,038 4.6 4 years or more 501 5.6 384 -3.3 975 -4.4 Total 10,659 100.0 llp775 100.0 22,434 100.0 Median school years completed 8.2 8.4 8.3 Percentage of high school graduates 28.2 27.0 27.6 SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1970 Census of Population, General Social and Economic Characteristics fo-uisiana. Washington, D.C.: February, 1972. places having a population of less than 2,500 persons. Therefore, these specifics cannot be presented for the Town of Delcambre. Based on a sample of 12,929 males and 14,339 females in Iberia Parish, an overall educational background was determined in 1970; these figures are given in Table 8. The largest number of persons fell in the category of completing four years of high school. This is very good considering that category involves only one year as compared to the second highest category of persons who had completed five to seven years of school (involving three years). Of those persons surveyed, 33.8 percent were high school graduates. The median school years completed was 9.3 years which was lower than the State average of 10.8 years. Table 9 provides figures on educational attainments according to the 1970 Census for Vermilion Parish. Table 9 was based on a survey of 22,434 persons twenty-five years old and older. The largest category of persons were those who had completed five to seven years of school, The median school years completed was 8.3 years and 27.6 percent of the persons were high school graduates4 these figures were lower than both those of Iberia Parish and the State. Residential Density and Distribution Residential density is determined by the number of persons per unit of measure; in this report an acre will be used as the unit of measure. The overall resi- dential density in Iberia Parish is 5.8 persons per residential acre which was derived by dividing the 1980 population (63,752) by the total number of 1,977 developed residential acres (11,010). CThe 1977 residential acreage count is general as it does not include each residence but only involves residential clusters; as it is so general, it is felt that it can be used for comparative purposes with the 1980 population counts.) Using the same methodology, a 1980 population IV-14 count-of 48,458 and a 1977 residential acreage count of 8,149, the residential density of Vermilion Parish is 5.9 persons. The population density cannot be calculated for Delcambre as the number of residential acreages in that Town has not been determined. The population distribution is based on occupied housing units, as defined by the Census, rather than total housing units. Since the 1980 Census figures released on housing do not differentiate between occupied and vacant housing units, 1970 Census data must be utilized. According to the 1970 Census, there were 152613 occupied housing units in Iberia Parish; when the 1970 population is divided by this number, an average of 3.7 persons per occupied housing unit is derived. In Vermilion Parish, the 1970 occupied housing unit count was 12,752; therefore, the population distribution was 3.4 persons. There were 583 occupied housing units in Delcambre in 1970 which results in a population distribution of 3.4 persons. Population Projections The purpose of this section is to provide some population projections for the three areas being studied. For the purposes of this report, the projections are based on straight-line projections using the historical trends that have occurred in the past; that is, the average per past decades is used to project increases in the future decades. As was presented earlier, the population in Iberia Parish has increased at the average rate of 11.2 percent per decade since 1900. Using that same percentage, the following projections are made for Iberia Parish.; 1980 63,752 persons 1985 67,322 persons 1990 70,892'persons 1995 74,862 persons 2000 78,832 persons IV-15 These projections should be fairly accurate in that the Parish has been very con- sistent recently in following this trend as the Parish's population increased by 11.1 percent between 1960 and 1970 and again between 1970 and 1980. The average increase per decade for population in Vermilion Parish was 11.7 percent.' By applying this increase to the 1980 population and thereafter, the following projections are given for Vermilion Parish: 1980 48,458 persons 1985 51,293 persons 1990 54,128 persons 1995 57,295 persons 2000 60,461 persons It is also felt that these projections are fairly accurate as the population in- creased in Vermilion Parish by an average 11.7 percent since 1960, the same average percent since 1900. In the Town of Delcambre, the population increased by an average of 35.2 percent per decade since 1910. This percentage average may be high to use for future projections since the population increased by only 6.4 percent from 1960 to 1970 and by 12.2 percent from 1970 to 1980. Keeping that in mind, however, the following projections are made for Delcambre; 1980 2,216 persons 1985 2,606 persons 1990 2,996 persons 1995 3,524 persons 2000 4,051 persons ECONOMIC FACTORS The economic factors that will be taken into consideration include such items as assessed valuation, employment trends, and the economic base. The analysis of economic factors should provide an overview of the economic resources in the study areas. IV-16 Tax Assessment and Land Value A dependable, yet conservative, indicator of economic growth is the assessed Valuation Of property and improvements in the area. It is from this Source that funds for financing public improvements are derived. An increasing assessed valu- ation not only indicates a healthy growing economy, but also gives a strong tax base for public usage. For the purposes of this study, 28.0 percent of the assessed valuation is estimated to be the land value. Table 10 presents the assessed valuation of Iberia Parish from 1965-1979; from the assessed valuation, the land value has been estimated and a percentage increase over the previous year has been calculated, As can be seen in Table 10, the assessed valuation has shown a continuous and consistent increase over the past years. As shown in Table 11, the. assessed valuation and estimated land value has also shown a steady increase since 1965, Delcambre is within Ward 1 of Iberia Parish; the figures, for the assessed valuation and estimated land value for Ward 1 are presented in Table 12. As shown in that table, the assessed valuation decreased in 1966 and in.1971, The. assessed valuation also showed a tremendous increase in 1972; this occurred.be- cause of the development of the Acadiana Regional Airport which is also in Ward 1 of Tberia Parish, E@ploym6nt Status, The following terms will be used in this analysis of employment status: Civilian labor force - persons classified as either employed or unemployed, excluding members of the armed forces. Employed persons those civilians who were at work. Unemployed persons - those civilians who were not at work but were' either looking for work or were available to accept a job. 0 IV-17 TABLE 10 ASSESSED VALUATION AND ESTIMATED LAND VALUE IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1965 1979 Assessed Estimated % Year Valuation Land Value Increase 1965 $ 60,442,830 $ 16,923,992 1966 60,860,950 17,041,066 0.7 1967 61,933,200 17,341,296 1.8 1968 63,651,340 17,822,375 2.8 1969 66, 456,610 18,607,851 4.4 1970 69,859,170 19,560,568 5.1 1971 71,578,010 20,041,843 2.5 1972 75,717,940 21,201,023 5.6 1973 78,761,220 22,053,142 4.0 1974 82,781,700 23,178,876 5.1 1975 86,991,560 24,357,637 5.1 1976 91,594,690 25,646,513 5.3 1.977 98,938,660 27,702,825 8.0 1978 113,303,510 31,724,983 14.5 1979 120,702.4784 33,796,780 6.5 SOURCE: Iberia Parish Tax Assessor's Office, New Iberia, Louisiana. 0 IV-18 TABLE 11 ASSESSED VALUATION AND ESTIMATED LAND VALUE VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1965 1979 Assessed Estimated % Year Valuation Land Value Increase 1965 $ 40,798.830. $ 11,423,672. 1966 42,300,600. 11,844,168. 3.7 1967 45,501,200. 12,740,336. 7.6 1968 47,526,230. 13,307,344. 4.5 1969 49,059,280. 13,736,S98. 3.2 1970 55,844,010. 15,636,323. 11.8 1971 58,382,300. 16,347,044. 4.5 1972 61,526,830. 17,227,512. 5.4 1973 65,216,730. 18,260,684. 6.0 1974 70,404,570. 19,713,280. 8.0 1975 76,493,710. 21,418,239. 8.6 1976 79,458,590. 22,248,405. 3.9 1977 83,844,740. 23,47.6,527. 5.5 1978 122,690,820. 34,353,421. 46.3 1979 132,994,390. 37,238,421. 8.4 SOURCE: Vermilion Parish Tax Assessor's Office, Abbeville, Louisiana IV-19 TABLE 12 ASSESSED VALUATION AND ESTIMATED LAND VALUE WARD 1 IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1965 1969 Assessed Estimated % Year Valuation Land Value Change 1965 $ 7,263,340. $ 2,033,735. 1966 6,753,400. 1,890,952. - 7.1 1967 7,058,760. 1,976,453. 4.5 1968 7,126,004. 1,995,281. 1.0 1969 7,412,870. 2,075,604. 4.0 1970 8,377,200. 2,345,616. 13.0 1971 8,319,540. 2,32�,471. 0.7 .1972 13,911,040. 3,895,091. 67.2 1973 15,285,605. 4,279,969. 9.9 1974 16,345,310. 4,576,687. 6.9 1975 16,847,800. 4,717,384. 3.1 1976 18,295,914. 5,122,856. 8.6 1977 19,667,090. 5,506,785. 7.5 197.8 22,972,355. 6,432,259. 16.8 1979 24,725,480. 6,923,134. 7.6 SOURCE: Iberia Parish Tax Assessor's Office, New Iberia, Louisiana. IV-20 Table 13 provides data on the empl,oyment of Iberia Parish residents during the period of 1965-1980. The figures in that table identify the number of persons in the civilian labor force and the number of those who were eit her employed or unemployed. Based on those figures an employment rate can be determined; the unemployment rate is the percentage of those in the civilian labor force who were unemployed. During the years of 1965 through 1980, the,unemployment rate was lowest at 4.0 percent in 1967 and 1968 and was highest at 7.7 percent in 1972. Table 14 provides the same information for the first six months of 1981 and compares the unemployment rate in Iberia Parish with that of the State for the same time period. As shown in Table 14, the unemployment rate in Iberia Parish is well below that of the State. Table 15 presents the employment status of the civilian labor force in Vermilion Parish from 1965-1980. During that period, the unemployment rate was lowest at 5.1 percent in 1980 and highest at 7.6 percent in 1972. As shown in Table 16, during the first six months of 1981 the unemployment rates of Vermilion Parish were lower than those of@,the State and were comparable with those in Iberia Parish. The data on employment and unemployment is not available for the Town of Delcambre. Ecohomic Base This portion of the study will examine and analyze the economic base of Iberia and Vermilion Parishes to determine in what areas the populace is em- ployed and to determine the support that can be provided to the ports by the economic base. IV-21 TABLE 13 EMPLOYMENT STATUS IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA .1965 - 1980 Civilian Unemployment Year Labor Force Employed Unemployed Rate 1965 17,225 16,525 700 4.1 1966 17,125 16,425 700 4..1 1967 17,075 16,400 675 4.0 1968 17,925 17,200 725 4.0 1969 17,875 17,100 77S 4.3 1970 19,975 18,975 1,000 5.0 1971 20,925 19,725 1,225 5.9 1972 19,250 17,775 1,475 7.7 1973 20,600 19 400 1,200 5.8 1974 21,650 20,450 1,200 5.5 1975 23,150 21,925 1,225 5.3 1976 24,425 23,325 1,100 .4.5 1977 25,150- 24,000 1,150 4.6 1978 30,550. 28,850 1,700 5.6 1979 32,350 30,S25 1,825 5.6 1980 33,400 31,900 1,500 4.5 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Labor, Office of Employment Security, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. IV-22 TABLE 14 EMPLOYMENT STATUS IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA January June, 1981 MONTH I B E R I A P A R I S H S@T A T E AND Civilian Unemployment Unemployment YEAR Labor Force Employed Unemployed Rate Rate January, 1981 33,350 31,450: 1,900 5.7 7.5 February, 1981 33,250 31,525 1,725 5.2 7.2 March, 1981 32,900 31,225 1,675 5.1 7.3 April, 1981 33,000 31,725 1,725 5.3 7.3 May, 1981 32,975 31,300 1,675 5.1 7.5 June, 1981 33,500 31,575 1,925 5.8 8.7 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Labor, Louisiana State Labor Market Information. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: February-August, 1981. IV-23 TABLE 15 EMPLOYMENT STATUS VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1965 - 1980 Civilian Unemployment Year Labor Force Employed Unemployed Rate 1965 11,650 1 0,950 700 6.0 1966 11,625 11,000 625 5.4 1967 11,500 10,775 725 6.3 1968 12,300 11,700 600 4.9 1969 12,125 11,325 800 6.6 1970 14,675 13,675 1,000 6.8 1971 14,875 13,900 975 6.6 1972 13,575 12,550 1,025 7.6 1973 15,075 14,100 975 .6.5 1974 16,725 15,750 975 5.8 197S 17,400 16,450 950 5.5 1976 18,200 17,250 950 5.2 1977 18,375 17,400 975 5.3 1978 20,475 19,100 1,375 6.7 1979 21,850 20,550 1,300 5.9 1980 21,925 20,800 lJ1125 5.1 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Labor, Office of Employment Security, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. IV-24 TABLE 16 EMPLOYMENT STATUS VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA January - June, 1981 MONTH V E R M I L 1 0 N P A R. I S H S T A T E AND Civilian Unemployment Unemployment YEAR Labor Force Employed Unemployed- Rate Rate. January, 1981 21,475 20,175 1,300 6.1 7.5 February, 1981 21,425 20,250 1,175 5.5 7.2 @March, 1981 21,350 20,125 1,225 5.7 7A April, 1981 21,450 20,300 1,150 5.4 7.3 May, 1981 21,800 20,650 1,150 5.3 7.5 June, 1981 22,425 21,150 1,275 5.7 8.7 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Labor, Louisiana State Labor Market Information. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: February-August, 1981. IV-25 Table 17 shows the resident employment trends.by industry based on 1950 and 1970 Census data; the 1980 figures have not yet been released by the Census. In 19SO the largest number of persons in Iberia Parish were employed in the industry group of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries accounting for 21.7 percent of the total. In 1970 the largest group was that of business, personal, and professional services (25.1 percent). The second largest industry group was business, per- sonal, and professional services in 19SO and was wholesale and retail trade in 1970. The only industry group which showed a decrease or decline from 1950 to 1970 was agriculture, forestry, and fisheries C-60.7 percent). Table 18 shows the same information for Vermilion Parish. In 1950 the lar- gest industry group was involved in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (39.3 percent) followed by business, personal, and professional services (16.8 percent). In 1970 business, personal, and professional services was the larg est industry group (24.9 percent) and wholesale and retail trade comprised the second largest industry group (19.3 percent). The only decline occurred in the industry group of agriculture,-forestry, and fisheries C-63.1 percent). These figures cannot be taken as conclusive as they are ten years old. In order to further analyze the economic base, those industries (fishing., energy- related, and agriculture) which will have an effect on the ports will be more closely examined. Commercial Fishing The fishing industry is very significant in relation to the Port of Delcambre Therefore, it is further analyzed herein. Coastal Louisiana's resources are not found only on land or-underground, but a thriving and renewable resource is the State's waters. Important recreation IV-26 TABLE 17 RESIDENT EMPLOYMENT TRENDS BY INDUSTRY IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1950 1970 INDUSTRY 1950 1970 % No. % No. % Change Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries 2,771 21.7 1,090 6.3 - 60.7 Mining 1,305 10.2 2,673 15.4 +104.8 Construction 874 6.8 1,076 6.2 + 23.1 Manufacturing 1,379 10.8 2,242 12.9 + 62.6 Transportation, 834 6.5 1,073 6.2 +,28.7 Communication, 'Utilities Wholesale and 2,441 19.1 3,894 22.4 + 59.5 Retail Trade Finance, Insurance, 184 1.4 486 2.8 +164.1 Real Estate Business, Personal, 2,463 19.3 4,350 25.1 + 76.6 and Professional Services Government 290 2.3 462 2.7 + S9.3 Other 237 1.9 Total 12,778 100.0 17,346 100.0 SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population, General Social and Economic Characteristics Louisiana, 1950 and 1970. Washington, D.C. IV-27 TABLE 18 RESIDENT EMPLOYMENT TRENDS BY INDUSTRY VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1950 1970 INDUSTRY 1950 1970 % No. % No. % Change Agriculture, 4,385 39.3 1,619 12.9 - 63.1 Forestry,fisheries Mining 469 4.2 1,442 11.5 +207.5 Construction 847 7.6 1,208 9.6 + 42.6 Manufacturing 722 6.4 1,001 8.0 + 38.6 Transportation, 492 4.3 931 7A + 89.2 Communication., Utilities Wholesale and 1,727 15.S 2,411 19.3 + 39.6 Retail Trade Finance, Insurance, 120 1.1 324 2.6 +170.0 Real Estate Business, Personal, 1,875 16.8 3,108 24.9 + 6'@.8 and Professional Services Government 321 2.9 475 3.8 + 48.0 Other 209 1.9 -0- - Total 11,167 100.0 12,519 100.0 SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population, General Social and Economic Characteristics - Louisiana, 1950 and 1970. Washington, D.C. IV-28 and commercial yields in fish in Louisiana include shrimp, oysters, menhaden, crabs, and crawfish Since statistical reporting is not mandatory on fishing and is often received on a voluntary basis from dealers, not the producers, the statistics are not totally inclusive. Therefore, the statistics presented rep-resent only the reported catch. Table 19 presents figures on commercial landings in Louisiana from 1975 to 1979. As can be seen in that table, the value of the fish increased each year during the period shown. It should also be noted that the value does not decrease if the number of pounds decreases. Commercial fishing is a very important industry in Iberia Parish. Table 20 shows only the reported catch in Iberia Parish from 1976 to 1978. In 1978 the reported catch was 1,472,100 pounds at a market value of $516,000. The category of other includes bowfish, carp, crab, garfish, sheepshead, and unclassified species. (The menhaden landings are not shown in any of the statistics in this section.) The landings in Iberia Parish are primarily freshwater species. Ac- cording 'to--, the Cooperative Extension Service at Louisiana State University, there were 1,523 licensed fishermen in,Iberia Parish in 1978. Table 21 shows the size and value of commercial landings in Vermilion Parish from 1976 to 1978, The category of other includes buffalofish, carp, catfish, drum, flounder, garfish, sheepshead, red snapper, and unclassified species. In 1978, the tota 1 market value of the landings in Vermilion Parish amounted to $16,600,000. In 1978, there were 1,724 licensed fishermen in Vermilion Parish. A primary port in the Iberia,and Vermilion Parish area is the Delcambre Port, located south of the Town of Delcambre on the Delcamb-re Canal. The Delcambre Port is a major shrimping port in the State of Louisiana. The Town of Delcambre is divided by the Iberia/Vermilion Parish line; the Delcambre shrimping statistics IV-29 TABLE 19 SIZE AND VALUE OF COMMERICAL LANDINGS LOUISIANA 1975 - 1979 NUMBER YEAR OF POUNDS VALUE 1975 1,124,586,000 88,245,000. 1976 1,227,958,000 136,971,000. 1977 917,523,000 137,936,000. 1978 1,673,922,000 190,167,000. 1979 1,529,081,000 198,508,000. SOURCE: National Marine Fishery Service, Fishery Statistics of the United States. Washington, D.C.: 1975-1.979. IV-30 TABLE 20 SIZE AND VALUE OF COMMERCIAL LANDINGS IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1976 - 1978 SPECIES 1976 1977 1978 Buffalofish 268,000 lbs. 100,800 lbs. 185,100 lbs. Catfish 1,027,700 lbs. 601,451 lbs. 711,800 lbs. Crawfish 271,800 lbs. --- 404,800 lbs. Other 2 37,400 lbs. 75,700 lbs. 170,400 lbs. TOTAL 1,804,900 lbs. 777,951 lbs. 1,472,100 lbs. VALUE $533,771. $247,249. $516,000. SOURCE: Louisiana State University, Cooperative Extension Service, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. IV-31 TABLE 21 SIZE AND VALUE OF COMMERCIAL LANDINGS VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1976 - 1978 SP ECIES 1976 1977 1978 Crab 364,400 lbs. 311,117 lbs. 263,000 lbs. Shrimp 8,619,500 lbs. 10,296,181 lbs. 12,968,000 lbs. Other 1,905,700 lbs. 1,037,256 lbs. 1,858,700 lbs. TOTAL 10,889,600 lbs. 11,644,554 lbs. 15,089,900 lbs. VALUE $11,649,807. $10,873,340. $16,600'.000 SOURCE: Louisiana State University, Cooperative Extension Service, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. IV-32 have been included in the Vermilion Parish landing statistics. In fact, the shrimp landings that were shown for Vermilion Parish were entirely Delcambre Port catches. Although the main catch in Delcambre is shrimp, there are other species involved at the Port. The total quantity in pounds and market value for the species reported in 1976, 1977, and 1978 are shown in Table 22. The National Marine Fisheries Service stated that approximately 350 vessels (a net weight of five or more tons) and approximately 75 boats (a net weight of less than five tons) utilized the Delcambre Port in 1978. The shrimping and seafood industry is the main industry in-Delcambre. Agriculture. The State of Louisiana has a diversified economic base which includes agri- culture as one major industry. The primary resources for agriculture are a rich soil and favorable farming conditions. According to the 1978 Census of Agriculture there were 401 farms in Iberia Parish accounting for 127,375 acres. Of that total, 100,546 acres or 78.9 per- cent was used for cropland, 6,693 acres or 5.3 percent was woodland, and 20,136 acres or 15.8 percent was used as pasture land, rangeland and land in houselots, ponds, and roads. The principal crop in Iberia Parish is sugarcane; other crops include dairy farming, rice, corn, soybeans, okra, and peppers. Table 23 presents the figures on the acreage planted for the three major crops in Iberia Parish by five-year periods from 1950 to 1975. That table reveals that the acreages in rice and sugarcane production have remained consistent while soybean acreage has gradually increased over the Period reviewed. Table 24 illustrates the estimated value of four agricultural products in Iberia Parish each year from 1975 to 1979. One item which can be noted in that table is the increase in soybean income changing IV-33 TABLE 22 SIZE AND VALUE.OF COMMERCIAL LANDINGS DELCAMBRE PORT, LOUISIANA 1976 1978 CATCH 1976 1977 1978 Quantity 9,200,000 lbs. 11,400,000 lbs. 15,100,000 lbs. Value $8,800,000. $10,700,000. $16,700,000. SOURCE: Louisiana State University, Cooperative Extension Service, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. IV-34 TABLE 23 ACREAGE PLANTED FOR RICE, SUGARCANE AND SOYBEANS IBERIA PARISH., LOUISIANA 1950 - 1975 CROP 1950 1955 1960. 1965 1970 1975 Rice 6,000 6,140 S,38G 6@P350 6,40Q 5,600 Sugarcane 38,748 33,352 36JI968 38,899 35,909 46$006 Soybeans - 600 750 300 29500 2.9000 TOTAL 44,748 40,092 43,098 45.1549 44,809 53,606 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, The. Coastal Zone: An Overview of Economic, Recreational and'Dem6graphid'Patterns.. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: November, 1976. IV-35 TABLE 24 ESTIMATED INCOME FROM MARKETED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1975 - 1979 CROP 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Rice $ 1,745,918 $ 851,137 $ 476,800 $ 831,650 $ 1,463,963 Soybeans $ 245,760 $ 691,875 $ 1,377,000 $ 2,186,275 $ 3,714,457 Sugarcane $17,204,000 $11,389,410 $16,390,000 $14,332,705 $14,902,897 Beef Cattle $ 622,000 $ 714,200 $ 692,125 $ 1,411,180 $1,399,960 SOURCE: Iberia Cooperative Extension Service, New Iberia, Louisiana. IV-36 from $245,760 in 1975 to $3,714,457 in 1979. In 1978 there were 1,394 farms in Vermilion Parish which comprised 378,883 acres. Of the total acreage count for farms, 296,498 acres or 78.3 percent was in cropland, 9,901 acres or 2.6 percent was woodland, and 72,484 acres or 19.1 percent was used as pastuyeland, rangeland, and houselots, roads, ponds, and wasteland. The primary crop in Vermilion Parish is rice; it is also first in the State in rice production. Sugarcane and soybeans are also grown in great quantities in Vermilion Parish. Table 25 presents the acreage planted for each of these three crops for each five-year period from 1950 to 197S. As shown in that table, soybeans accounted for only 90 acres in 1960; by 1975 the acreage count had in- ..creased to 2S,000 acres. Table 26 further illustrates the agricultural economy in Vermilion Parish by identifying the estimated income received from rice, soy- beans, sugarcane, and beef cattle from 1975 to 1979. During each of the five years, the rice crop produced the most income as can be expected. Both the soybean Crop and the beef cattle sales exhibited substantial increases. As the proposed terminal at Boston would be partUUY_'@devoted to agricul- tural purposes, a further analysis of the agricultural economy in surrounding parishes is included. In order to provide this analysis, the following variables will be considered: the acreage devoted to cash grain production and,the number of country elevators in the proposed port's hinterland. Cash grains are those grains produced on farms but not consumed there-. they are sold for cash on the open market. Cash grains include barley, rye, corn, oats, rice, sorghum, wheat, and soybeans. Country elevators are those that are.located throughout the area for the purpose of purchasing and/or storing grains for local farmers. For the IV-37 *9L61 IioqMOAON :ttMTsTnoj la2ncrd uoirg sua-944Vd. p-Fqdvj2pm9a PuP TBuo'4V940;@ld zTmouPPa -40 mG-EAa9A0 uV :9u0Z Tt"IsVOD PU. '-4uomdojGA9Q PXM UOT4V4ZOdSUVaJL JO 4UGM4JVd9G VIMTSTnol :go-dflos LSZ'2ST SLZ'OST 92L'6TI ZL9'5:OT 098'20T Z02'611 livi.0i. OOO'sz OOO'lz.- 009 06 suuaqAoS LSS 12 SLZ12 9S:T'S: Z80 z Oqz,z z Os' t, atwoa-u2nS OOL'VZT OOo'qzT 000'9TT Oos TOT OOS'IOT 008'VTT ;Dz-r- . d SL61 OL6T S961 096T SS61 OS61 dOND SL61 - OS6T - MISM01 'HSIdVd NOMMA SNV99XOS (INV RNV:)UVDfIS 'aDI'd '80d UDN'Id R9VgUDV sz Elll*avl TABLE 26 ESTIMATED INCOME FROM MARKETED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1975 1979 CROP 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Rice $43,990,000 $28,793,840 $28,492,800 $31,542,665 $39,184,832 Soybeans $ 6,720,000 $17,328,000 $10,972,500 $12,900,000 $21,802,098 Sugarcane $ 2,125,000 $ 1,451,250 $ 1,806,350 $ 1,345,140 $ 1,170,653 Beef Cattle $ 6,747,000 $ 8,990,012 $ 8,287,600 $12,897,425 $18,482,800 SOURCE: Vermilion Cooperative Extension Service, Abbeville, Louisiana. IV-39 purposes of this analysis, the proposed terminal's potential hinterland will consist of the following parishes: Vermilion, Iberia, Lafayette, Acadia, St. Martin, St. Landry, and Evangeline. All points within these parishes are within a radius of approximately one hundred miles of the proposed site in Boston. Table 27 shows the number of country elevators and the cash grain production by parish in the hinterland in 1978. As shown in that table, soybeans are the main cash grain produced in the area accounting for approximately 96 percent of the total cash grain production. According to Table 27, St. Landry, Acadia, Evangeline, and Vermilion Parishes had the highest soybean production. There- .fore,Table 28 has been included to show how soybean production has increased in each parish over the past few years. The production of rice should also be considered in this analysis. In 1978 there were sixteen rice mills operating within the seven-parish area as shown in Table 29. -In that same year, there were 299,110 acres devoted to the culti- vation of rice in that same area. Vermilion Parish produced the greatest volume of rice followed by Acadia Parish and Evangeline Parish. Table 30 shows the trend of rice production in those three parishes from 1966 to 1979*; it can be seen that this production has fluctuated throughout the period while still remaining at a high volume. Energy-related Industry Another vital factor of the economic base in the study area is energy. According to Louisiana Oi I and Gas Facts, the State of Louisiana contains twenty-seven percent of the nation's proved recoverable gas reserves and thirteen percent of its proved crude oil reserves. In 1-970 Louisiana produced fourteen percent of the nation's production value of oil and gas. IV-40 TABLE 27 CASH GRAIN PRODUCTION POTENTIAL BOSTON TERMINAL HINTERLAND 1978 @!Number of Bushels No. of Corn, Sorghum PARISH and Wheat Soybeans Country Elevators. Acadia 69,000 4,200,000 2 Evangeline 50,000 2,880,000 0 Iberia 40,000 323,000 0 Lafayette 53,600 1,360,000 0 St. Landry 353,500 4,750,000 6 St. Martin 72,000 685,000 1 Vermilion 19,400 2,050,000 3 TOTAL 657,SOO 16,248,000 12 SOURCES: Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University, Commercial Bulk Grain Handling Operations in Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1978. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University, Agricultural Statistics for Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1978. IV-41 TABLE 28 SOYBEAN PRODUCTION IN FOUR PARISH AREA 1966 - 1978 YEAR N U M B E R 0 F B US H E L S P E R P A R I S H Acadia Evangeline St. Landry Vermilion 1966 480,000 352,000 1,484,000 230,000 1967 728,000 702,000 2,29S,000 330,000 1968 1,260,000 780,000 2,520,000 390,000 1969 1,215,000 805,000 2,160,000 301,000 1970 1,736,000 874,000 2,300,000 360,000 1971 1,852,500 1,131,000 2,392,000 399,500 1972 2,165,000 1,125,000 2,830,000 470,000 1973 1,800,000 960,000 2,350,000 480,000 1974 2,385,000 1,395,000 3,760,000 700,000 1975 2,660,000 1,430,000 3,778,000 855,000 1976 4,305,000 2,275,000 5,570,000 1,900,000 1977 4,410,000 2,225,000 3,200,000 2,290,000 1978 4,200,000 2,880,000 4,750,000 2,050,00.0 SOURCE: Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University, Agricultural Statistics for Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. IV-42 TAB,LE 29. RICE PRODUCTION POTENTIAL BOSTON TERMINAL HINTERLAND 1978 Rice Rice Production No. of PARISH Acreage (Htmdredweight) Rice Mills Acadia 97,200 .3,913,000 10 Evangeline 42,800 1,712,000 2 Iberia 3,460 112,100 1 Lafayette 10,600 390,0-00 0 St. Landry 18,100 724,000 0 St. Martin 5,0so 141,400 0 Vermilion 121,900 4;386;000 3 TOTAL 299,110 11,378,500. 16 SOURCES: Department ofAgricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University.. Coitnercial .'Bulk Grain Handling Operations in Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1978. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University, Agricultural Statistics for Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1978. IV-43 TABLE 30 RICE PRODUCTION IN THREE PARISH AREA 1966 - 1979 Number of Hundredweights Per Parish YEAR ACADIA EVANGELINE VERMILION 1966 3,795,000 1,924,000 4,502,000 1967 4,149,000 1.9964,000 4,840,000 1968 4,864,000 2,378,000 5,580,000 1969 4,005,800 1,989,400 4,623,000 1970 3,802,000 1,837,800 4,354,800 1971 3,5371800 1,896,300 4.92321800 1972 3,518,300 1,826,600 4,284,400 1973 4,060,800 1,883,000 4,661,000 1974 4,416,000 2,092,300 4,975,000 1 975 4,745,500 2,002,600 5,156,300 1976 3,611,000 1,887,100 4,524,000 1977 2,964,000 1,464,700 3,657,000 1978 3,913,000 1@712,00 4,386,000 1979 3,374,000 11768.9200 4.%234,800 SOURCE: Department,of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University,*Agricultutdl'Stati@;tits for Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1978. IV-44 Petroleum production has contributed heavily to the location refineries and petrochemical plants in the coastal area. The location of such plans depends on a multitude of factors, but low raw material costs in Louisiana have been a prin- cipal factor in the development of the petrochemical industry in the State. Low resource costs are a function of location near the source. An additional factor is the presence of large quantities of freshwater and navigable waterways. In 1972 there were 49'600 workers in mineral-related establishments in Louisiana. According to the 1972 Census of Mineral Industries, approximately 18.3 percent of these were located in Iberia and Vermilion Parishes. Of the 1,340 mineral-related establishments state-wide, 189 or 14.6 percent were in the two parishes. According to recent figures compiled by the federal government using 1979 income tax returns, there were 2,367 people employed in the oil and gas field in Iberia Parish. Table 31 indicates the oil and gas production which occurred in Iberia Parish from 1955 to 1978. As shown in Tables 32 and 33, there were 24 inland and 32 offshore oil and gas fields in Iberia Parish in 1976. In 1979 according to federal income tax returns, Vermilion Parish had 2,952 persons employed.in the oil and gas field with an annual payroll of $54,443,000. Table 34 indicates the amount of production in Vermilion Parish from 1955 to 1976. Tables 35 and 36 further illustrate the energy-related economic factors of Vermilion Parish by identifying the 57 inland oil and gas and 46 offshore oil and gas fields. Although the tables included show that some declines in production have occurred, the value of mineral production has increased due to the rising price of oil and gas. IV-45 TABLE 31 OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1955 1976 PRODUCTION IN BARRELS PRODUCTION IN M.C.F. Casinghead Natural Gas Year Crude Oil Condensate 15.025.#Abs. 15.025 #Abs. 1955 14,519,607 589,205 14,044,808 27,635,203 1956 15,191,120 675,607 18,053,620 33,041,573 1957 15,611,670 698,262 18,503,634 37,491,017 1958 12,852,236 611,559 16,225,671 35,071,331 1959 13,818,266 836,597 20,606,200 47,955,950 1960 14,352,561 2,349,500 24,708,266 69,035,196 1961 13,565,030 2,902,540 24,047,852 68,591,498 0 1962 13,595,751 2,965,710 28,013,674 76,974,142 1963 13,253,669 2,443,777 24,270,386 81,839,986 1964 13,341,539 2,382,315 21,061,829 91,809,866 1965 14,331,210 2,264,578 19,572,806 94,283,407 0 1966 15,796,969 3,113,862 17,276,608 .115,701,833 1967 21,585,428 5,525,579 22,241,236 202,167,691 1968 24,836,297 5,774,186 29,680,051 271,952,794 1969 27,463,086 6,430,813 32,631,493 374,391,447 1970 29,556,062 4,381,479 36,592,540 365,619,121 1971 23,976,912 3,377,513 36,515,136 249,307,275 1972 22,160,702 3,632,862 33,558,403 302,081,081 1973 19,746,243 2,965,480 8,243,509 20,635,981 1974 16,S1 0,191 2,513,134 29,638,399 269,728,660 1975 12,088,750 2,547,113 25,027,401 288,404,336 1976 10,607,723 2,924,187 19,747,494 316,661,773 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Conservation, Annual Oil and Gas Report. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1955-1976. IV-46 TABLE 32 INLAND OIL AND GAS FIELDS IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1976 Year of Year of Discovery Name of Field Discovery Name of Field 1942 Avery Island 1917 Iberia 1970 Avery Island, Southeast 1938 Jefferson Island 1940 Bayou Pigeon 1964 Lake Ferme 1956 Bayou Pigeon, East 1966 Lake Ferme., West 1971 Bayou Pigeon, North 1949 Lake Sand 1956 Bayou Postillion 1965 Lake Tom 1968 Bayou Postillion, East 1955 Loisel 1956 Big Bayou Pigeon 1962 Pass Fourchon 1964 Bird Island Bayou 1942 Rabbit Island 1970 Cote Blanche Bay, East 1949. Tigre Lagoon, South 1927 Fausse Pointe 1939 Vermilion Bay 1959 Fish Island 1945 Weeks Island SOURCE; Louisiana Department of Conservation,,-A-@List*6f Lbuisiana'Oil and Gat Fields -did:Sait Domes, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1976. IV-47 TABLE 33 OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS FIELDS IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA 1976 South Marsh Island Area Eugene Island Area Year of Field Year of Field Discovery Block No. Discovery' Block No. 1963 6 1970 3 1963 9 1959 4 1960 23 1959 8 1970 38 1948 45 1961 48 1955 47 1963 66 1947 S3 1963 79 1973 64 1975 130 1973 74 1966 142 1949 89 1966 176 1955 128 1974 243 1956 175 1973 267 1958 198 1975 269 1961 205 1964 266 1963 273 1964 292 1971 330 1973 361 1975 380 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Conservation, A List of Louisiana Oil and Gas Fields and Salt Domes. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1976. IV-48 TABLE 34 OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1955 1976 PRODUCTION IN BARRELS PRODUCTION IN M.C.F. Casing head National Gas Year Crude.Oil Condensate 15.025 #Abs. 15.025 #Abs. 1955 4,494,468 1P128,805 4,233,353 105,531,979 1956 4,391,705 1,501,586 4p783,223 125,224,333 1957 4,790,005 2,135,949 5,035,280 162,844,209 1958 4,452,607 2,858,345 4,420p582 205,035,302 1959 5,264,866 2,948,873 5,390,510 235,408,119 1960 Sp601p942 3,610,101 5,916,746 261,022,345 1961 5,770,362 4,756p967 6,001,520 309,643 770 1962 7,154,261 5,947p929 6,679p683 391,873,070 1963 7,207,75S 6p496,111 6p465,585 429,227,324 1964 7,611,261 6,879,385 6,84Op8OO 457,471,489 1965 8p216,251 7,114,700 8,994,584 477,769,446 1966 10,524,754 8,896,542 13,007,090 537,155,768 1967 11,293,239 10,945,076 14,376,229 627p5OOp222 1968 12,259,614 13,249,907 17,720,241 765,907,983 1969 13,773,489 13,475p863 19,304p293 842,182,834 1970 .14,454,766 15,107,733 18,638,159 968,399p497 1971 8,371,049 10,865,494 8,887,150 819p328p729 1972 8,597,981 9p512,682 10,679p614 726,711,389 1973 8,510,354 9,887,762 10,340,459 716,836,612 1974 6,858,832 8,301,657 7,724,544 551,749,776 1975 5p486,226 6,828,444 6,135,662 423p958,829 1976 4,636,897 5,500,707 4,613,010 332,585,527 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Conservation, Annual Oil and Gas Report. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1955-1976. IV-49 TABLE 35 INLAND OIL AND GAS FIELDS VERMILION PARISH, L OUISIANA 1976 Year of Year of Discovery Name of Field Discovery Name of Field 1937 Abbeville 1957 Lac Blanc 1963 Andrew 1955 Lake Arthur, South 1957 Bancker 1954 Leleux 1964 Bayou Hebert 1955 Leroy, 1956 Boston Bayou 1957 Leroy "North 1958 Buck Point 1954 Live Oak 1962 Buck Point., East 1956 Maurice 1970 Buck Point, North 1969 Maurice, West' 1960 Cossinade 1962 Milton 1940 Erath 1964 Mulvey 1959 Esther 1967 Nunez 1958 Esther, Southwest 1949 Outside Island 1964 Fire Island 1959 Parcperdue 1952 Florence 1972 Parcperdue, North 1947 Florence, East 1974 Parcperdue, Southwest 1971 Florence, South 1970 Parcperdue, West 1942 Fresh Water Bayou 1943 Pecan Island 1958 Fresh Water Bayou, North 1954 Pecan Island, North 1958 Grosse Isle 1957 Perry 1932 Gueydan 1960 Perry, South 1973 Gueydan, East 1958 Perry Point 1954 Gueydan, Southeast 1959 Redfish Point 1970 Gueydan, Southwest 1958 Riceville 1938 Gueydan, West 1972 Riceville, South 1965 Hell Hole Bayou 1956 Theall 1955 Intracoastal City 1940 White Lake, East 1960 Kaplan 19.60 White Lake, North 1964 Kaplan, Northwest 1943 White Lake, West 1955 Kaplan, South SOURCE: Louisiana Department of ConservationY A'List of Loui.@idna*Oil and Gas Fields and Salt Domes@ Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1976. IV-50 TABLE 36 OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS FIELDS VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA 1976 Vermilion Area South Marsh Islan.d Area Year of Field Year of Field Discovery Block No. Discovery Block No. 1956 14 1966 is 1961 16 1966 16 1949 39 1966 27 1956 46 1963 41 1975 60 1963 73 1975 64 1972 122 1948 71 1975 137 1949 76 1966 146 1958 86 1966 166 1956 102 1966 184 1959 104 1973 249 1957 120 1973 261 1960 131 19,72 147 1962 162 1957 164 1966 171 1971 182 1964 189 1964 191 1973 200 19-73 214 1967 215 196S 218 1974 236 1962 245 1963, 250 1969 255 1972 265 1971 313 1972 320 1972 339 1972 342 1972 362 SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Conservation., A List of Louisiana Oil and Gas Fields and Salt Domes. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1976. IV-51 SIGNIFICANT AREA WATER RESOURCES Navigation is of upmost importance to Louisiana because of its geography, the physiography of the State, and its mineral resources. Louisiana is a maritime state located on the Gulf of Mexico with access to the ports of the world. It is also situated at the hub of the most extensive inland waterway system in the world, where the 6,903 miles of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Warrior- Tombigbee systems and the 12,3S1 miles of the Mississippi River system link the resources of the Gulf Coast with the industrial centers of northern, midwestqrn and eastern United States. Locally, the 7.,500 miles of navigable waterways within Louisiana constitute one of her most valuable assets, for the majority of these streams traverse the marshes and lowlands where most of the state's mineral wealth is found and provide the most practical means of developing the resources of an otherwise inaccessible area. The ex ist.ing Louisiana shoreline is the result of the deposition of Mississippi River sediments during the last 6,000 years and the action created by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Louisiana shoreline consists of the lands bordering on the Gulf of Mexico and on thelmany bays, lakes, rivers, bayous and other bodies of water extending inland. The acres adjacent to the coastal shoreline are generally composed of very low marsh, natural levees along exis- ting and abandoned streams, chenieres (ancient beach, stranded in the marshland), and isolated barrier islands. Principal developments in the coastal area are those associated with the location, development, and extraction of large mineral (petroleum, natural gas, sulphur, salt, shells and fishery) resources. The major streams flowing through the coastal area are Sabine, Calcasieu, Mermentau, Vermilion, Atchafalaya, Mississippi, the Pearl River, Charenton Drainage Canal, Wax Lake Outlet, and Bayou LaFourche. Only the Atchafalaya and Mississippi V-1 Rivers and the Wax Lake Outlet carry any appreciable sediments to the coastal area and the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal Louisiana is a vast region extending west to the Sabine River, east to the Chandeleur Islands, south to the Gulf of Mexico and bounded to the north by the five-foot countour line. Twenty of the State's 64 parishes are at least partially in the coastal zone, and half of these are entirely within the zone. The coastal area is about 10 million acres. Dry land accounts for about 13% million acres, or 15 percent of the coastal zone. The wetlands of Louisiana are estimated to be about 8.5 million acres, or about 25 percent of the wetlands found in the entire nation. Swamps, distinguishable by stands of cypress and tupelo trees stretch for over a half million acres through coastal Louisi ana. The remaining wetlands are made up of a variety of marsh types - saline, brackish. intermittent and fresh marsh. These marsh lands represent about 79 percent of Louisiana's coastal zone. The various waterways of coastal Louisiana are many and diverse, winding their way through the State providing extensive water systems. For the purposes of this report, attention will be given to the important waterways near the study area. Those are discussed as follows: BAYOU TECHE The Bayou Teche is a comparatively small stream occupying the highest part of a very large alluvial ridge which approximates in size that of the Mississippi Ah River. Since all local drainage is away from the stream, it functions princi- pally as a flume, conveying drainage from Bayou Courtableau to the Vermilion and lower Teche systems. This waterway provides-improvements for navigation, flood control, and increased water supply for irrigation. The Bayou Teche also serves as a source for recreation, boating, water-skiing and fishing. V-2 Authorized in 1934 and prior years, Bayou Teche consists of a channel 8 feet deep and 80 feet wide from the mouth of the stream to New Iberia, 6 feet deep and 60 feet wide to Keystone Lock, and 6 feet deep and 50 feet wide on the bottom to Arnaudville, and a lock and dam. The average annual traffic on this waterway from 1971 to 1975 was 612,618 tons. The major cargo in 1975 included marine shells$ crude petroleum, and sugar. FRESHWATER BAYOU The Freshwater Bayou Channel and Lock provides a direct connection between the Gulf Intracoastal Waterwayand the Gulf of Mexico. Petroleum, gas, salt and sulphur resources in the Gulf are now more easily accessible and a more direct route is available to fishermen and trappers as well. The Freshwater Bayou consists of a 12 by 125 foot waterway between the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in the vicinity of the Vermilion River and the Gulf of Mexico; the waterway generally follows the existing channels of Schooner Bayou Cutoff, Schooner Bayou, Sixmile Canal, Belle Isle Canal, and Freshwater Bayou. An 84 by 600 by 16 foot lock constructed in the vicinity of Beef Ridge near the Gulf of Mexico prevents saltwater intrusion. Jetties to the 6 foot depth contour are authorized if and when justified by excessive maintenance of the offshore channel. Channel excavation between the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway'and the lock site was completed in March, 196S. The channel from the lock to the Gulf of Mexico was completed in October, 1967. The lock and channel were opened to navigation in July, 1968. Table 37 shows the annual tonnage of cargo which traveled this waterway from 1968 to 1976. V-5 TABLE 37 ANNUAL TONNAGE OF CARGO FRESHWATER BAYOU 1968 1976 Year Tonnage 1968 251 1969 15,867 1970 34@,407 1971 297,724 1972 404.,850 1973 S28,719 1974 S14,414 197S 2913-070 1976 192,682 SOURCE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce of the United States. Vicksburg, Mississippi: 1976.. V-4 PETIT ANSE, TIGRE, AND CARLIN BAYOUS These waterways are used for access to fishing and hunting areas; boating and skiing are also becoming popular in the area. This project provides a 9 foot by 90 foot channel in Bayou Petit Anse from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to the north end of Avery Island, a 9 foot by 80 foot channel in Bayou Carlin from Bayou Petit Anse to Lakb Peigneur.-a harbor of refuge at Delcambre, and a 7 foot by 60 foot channel from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway via McIlhenny Canal to deep water in Vermilion Bay. Mooring facilities have been constructed in the harbor of refuge by non-federal interests. Average annual traffic on this waterway from 1971 to 1975 was 1,S79,010 tons. GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is an extensive waterway system designed to accommodate ocean-going vessels. As early as the 1860's a need for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway developed. In 1867 the completion of the Mississippi River levees stopped the inland coastwise traffic between the river and the southwest coastal area, via Bayou Plaquemine, and the demand for a year-round inland coastwise waterway was recognized. This demand continued into the early twentieth century when the increasing demands for coastwise traffic on an inland route resulted in the authorization by Congress of a S foot by 40 foot navigation channel from the Mississippi River to the Rio Grande. Final approval of this project was received in 1906 and in 191I.-the first section of the project was completed from Franklin, Louisiana to the Mermentau River. BY 1925 the ch @annel was complete from the Mississippi River to the Sabine River. V-5 Waterborne traffic on this inland waterway was increasing at such a rate that it became evident that the 5 foot by 40 foot navigation channel would soon be inadequate. Furthermore, the -route of the waterway at this time utilized natural streams and lakes to a great extent. This increased the length of the route due to meandering streams, and channel sections in large bodies such as White and Grand Lakes were subject to deterioration by wave action. On January 21, 1927, Congress authorized a 9 foot b; 100 foot navigation channel to be con- structed on a revised route from the Mississippi River to Corpus Christi, Texas, to be known-as the Louisiana and Texas Intracoastal Waterway. With the completion of the Harvey Lock at New Orleans in 1934, the 9 foot by 100 foot navigation channel between the Mississippi River and the Sabine River was complete. The present day project channel in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway which extends from the Rio Grande River at the United States-Mexico border to Florida is 12 foot by 125 foot. In 1976, the volume of waterborne commerce on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway between the Mississippi and Sabine Rivers totaled 59 million tons. VERMILION RIVER A project navigation, channel in this stream is maintained by the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. The present project dimension of this channel is a 9 ,foot depth below Mean Low Gulf Elevation, with an allowable over-depth of I foot, and a 100 foot bottom width. This channel extends northward above Abbeville as a Sh foot by 100 foot project channel to the City of Lafayette, Louisiana. It intersects the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at a point of 223 river miles .South of Abbeville. The Vermilion River also provides numerous boating facilities. V-6 The annual tonage of cargo on the Vermilion River from 1959 to 1976 is shown in Table 38. A sizable increase occurred from 642,739 tons in 1959 to 1,439,355 tons in 1967. After 1967, the annual tonnage primarily stabilized. BAYOU VERMILION The 5 1/2 foot Vermilion Bayou channel from Vermilion Bay to Lafayette was completed in 1896 -at a cost of $34,900.00. Vermilion Bayou has a well defined basin, draining the 652 square mile area lying between the Mermentau watershed on the west and.the Bayou Teche ridge on the east. Bayou Vermilion also functions as a tributary of Bayou Teche. The Ruth (Evangeline) Canal, about four miles long, connects Bayou Teche with Bayou Vermilion. It was built by private interests for diverting a portion of the Teche flow to the Vermilion for rice irrigation. Flow is regulated by a reinforced concrete.control structure with three manually operated gates. VERMILION LOCK The Vermilion Lock is located in the Atchafalaya River Sabine River section of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway about two miles west of the Vermilion River. The existing lock was opened to traffic in 1933. This lock is 1,182.feet long, 56 feet wide, with a.depth over the sill of 11.3,feet below mean low gulf- datum. The Vermilion Lock was constructed to prevent saltwater intrusion into the Mermentau River Basin. The existing lock is scheduled to be replaced with a new lock having a lock chamber length of 1200 'feet, a width of 110 V-7 feet and an over sill depth of 15 feet. Construction is to begin the latter part of 1981 with an estimated completion date of early 1984. Table 39 provides statistics on lockages, bottoms, and annual tonnage from 1968 to 1976. VERMILION'BAY The Vermilion Bay is a large, deep bay consisting of a series of discontinuous sand beaches with localized concent- rations of shell material. Generally, the shoreline between the sand beaches consists of silt accumulations. From the general vicinity of Vermilion River along the northern shore of Vermilion Bay to the general vicinity of longitude 92*001 mud and/or silt shorelines dominant. A small section of the northern shore of Vermilion Bay (between longitude 92*00' and W521) is composed of sand material. Along the eastern perimeter of Vermilion Bay, the predominant shoreline type is mud flanked by an extensive deposit .of black, organic flakes and particles referred to by the local inhabitants as 11coffee grounds". These materials are derived from decaying water hyacinth and alligator weed which grow ab- undantl .y in the ponds and bayous that drain into the bay. The Vermilion B.ay is a vital link of the waterway system feeding the Vermilion River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Bayou Teche. V-8 TABLE 38 ANNUAL TONNAGE OF CARGO VERMILION RIVER 1959 1976 Year Tonnage 19S9 642,739 1960 707,792 1961 1,224,728 1962 800,953 1963 934,944 1964 840,427 1965 923,832 1966 1,214,793 1967 1,439,3SS 1968 1,041,556 1969 1,077,422 1970 1,198,882 1971 1,321,027 1972 1,S17,133 1973 1,221,215 1974 1,193,367 1975 1,346,312 1976 1,224,900 SOURCE: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce of the United States. Vicksburg, Mississippi: 1976. V-9 TABLE 39 VERMILION LOCK STATISTICS 1968 1976 Year Lockages Bottoms Tonnage, 1968 10,466 (5) 62,435 (4) 40,883,115 1969 9,368 (8) 62,783 (3) 40,033,239 1970 8,022 (8) 59,608 (4) 43,162,159 ,+1971 8,547 (6) 65,300 (4), 45,130,306 1972 9,112 (7) 60,727 (4) 43,093,646 -1973 5,865 (8) 55,279 (4) 37,981,276 1974 7,969 (7) S6,391 (4) 39,238,381. .0197S S,7SS (9)- 52,692 (4) 3S,228,202 1976 9,909 (5) 56,542 (4) 41,84S,462 +Dewatering year -1973 High water forced the closure of various locks and affected the normal flow of marine traffic on the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. *Records for the month of July, 19.75 not available. SOURCE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce of the United States. Vicksburg, Mississippi: 1976. V-1 0 DETERMIN.AT IONS AND IMPACTS Based on the different analyses that have been made, the various impacts and determinations that can be expected as a result of the proposed develop- ments are presented by each site. These determinations will include the location and description, current land usage, environmental conditions, financial considerations, and economic and social impacts. SITE A DELCAMBRE This proposed development will serve as a mooring area. The following determinations can be made regarding the proposed facility. Location and Description This site involves one parcel or piece of ground withoutimprovements located in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, measuring twenty-five acres, more or less, lying east of the Delcambre Canal in Section 5, Township 13 South, Range 5 East, and bounded as follows: north by the property of Gloria Wiggins, south by the coulee and property of Rose Landry Rogers, east by the property of Wiltz Trahan, and west by the Delcambre Canal and/or the property of the heirs of Dresin Landry et al or assigns. Financial- Considerations The following improvements and subsequent cost estimates are proposed for the development of Site A Land Acquisition (2S acres) $ lso.9000 Bulkheading (5,000 linear feet) 2,00,000 Piers (1,400 linear feet) 140,000 Excavation (400,000 cubic yards) 600,000 Roads (lime and gravel) 225,000 Water Facilities 80,000 Sewerage Facilities 50,000 Electrical Lighting 30,000 Engineering and Contingencies 360,000 TOTAL $4,13S,000 VI-1 More detailed information on the proposed improvements is provided in the section of the report entitled "Preliminary Designs." Environmental Determinations It has been determined in the section of the report entitled "Environ- mental Impact Assessment" that there will-be no adverse effects on the environment as a result of the proposed development. The current land usage of the site is pastureland. The proposed site is located in the Jeanerette-Patoutville soil association which consists of soils that are somewhat poorly drained loamy soils of the terrace upland. The proposed site is located on Jeanerette soils which is eighty-five percent of the association. The Jeanerette soils are on flats at the lowest elevations and have a surface layer fourteen inches thick.of black silt loam and a subsoil of dark-gray and grayish-brown silty clay loam which is about thirty-six inches thick. They are somewhat poorly drained and are moderately slowly permeable. The gradient on these soils is less than me percent and elevations are approximately two to ten feet above sea level. The soil stays wet much of the time late in winter and in the spring. The seasonal high water table fluctuates between depths of one foot and two-and-a- half feet during the period of December to April. Soil surveys determine the suitability of the soils for certain land uses. This is done by listing various land usages and then showing the degree of limitation the soil has for each usage. Each of the land usages and the limitation for each is given in Table 40. As shown in that table, for seven of the land usages the Jeanerette soils have a moderate degree of limitation which means that the limitations can be overcome or modified by special pla n- ning or design. The limitation is severe, however, for four uses. Those -four VI-2 TABLE 40 SOIL INTERPRETATIONS FOR SELECTED USES SITE A - DELCAMBRE, LOUISIANA LAND USE DEGREE OF LIMITATION Septic tank absorption fields Severe Sewage lagoons Severe Shallow excavations Severe Dwellings without basements Moderate Sanitary Landfill (trench) 'Severe Local roads and streets Moderate Small commercial buildings Moderate Camp areas and playgrounds Moderate Picnic areas, paths, and trails Moderate Reservoir areas Moderate Dikes, levees, and embankments Moderate Slight - The limitations are minor and can be overcome easily. Moderate - The limitations can be overcome or modified by special planning or design. Severe - The limitations are costly or difficult to alter or overcome. Very Severe - The limitations are very difficult or very costly to overcome. SOURCE: United States Department of Agriculture, in cooperation.with the Louisiana Agriculture Experiment Station,'Soil Survey of Iberia Parish, Louisiana. Alexandria, Louisiana: August, 1978. VT-3 uses with the exception of excavation should really not have much effect on the proposed development. The shrink-swell potential for Jeanerette soils is moderate and'is suitable for portland cement stabilization with hydrated lime treatment. Economic and Social Impacts The development of the mooring site at Delcambre will create some new jobs directly at the Port. It will, however, increase the number of shrimp boats using the Port which will have a direct impact on the economy in several aspects. In 1978, as was shown in Table 22, the value of commercial 1ndings in Delcambre was $16,700,000 for 15,100,000 "ounds, the- p new. facilities would provide for even higher future values. The higher values and additional number of pounds generated by the new facility would have a direct impact on retail sales-in the area. New seafood plants and support facilities such as ice plants could be anticipated to assist in the increased volume of the port thereby creating new jobs. The port development would also affect the social aspects in that the creation of new jobs would lower the unemployment rate of the area and indirectly improve the living conditions of the new employees. Other impacts which can be expected are: The new mooring site would also provide these boat owners with controlled protection in an area where they can safely leave their vessels during the off-seasons. The Port Commission will be able to recap monies from the operation from leasing mooring areas or by mooring on a fee basis. The assessed valuatipn of the Parish will also increase thereby providing for increased ad valorem taxes for the Parish. VI-4 SITE B - BOSTON This pr oposed development will serve as an inland barge facility and agricultural area. The following determinations can be made regarding this facility. Location and Description This site involves a tract of land containing approximately 25 acres in Section 33, Township 13 South, Range 4 East, Second Ward of Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. The site is bounded on the west by the Boston Canal, on the east by the property of Olga LeBlanc, et al, on the north by the property of O.V. Moss, Jr., et al, and on the south by the property of Olga LeBlanc, et al. Financial Considerations The following improvements and subsequent cost estimates are estimated for the development of Site B: Land Acquisition (2S acres) $ 250,000 Bulkheading (1,320 linear feet) 660,000 Excavation (30,000 cubic yards) 45,000 Roads 91,000 Engineering and Contingencies 80,000 TOTAL $1,126,000 More detailed information on the pr oposed improvements is given in the section of the study entitled "Preliminary Designs." Environmental Determinations The Environmental Impact Assessment has determined that the development of this facility will have no adverse effects on the environment. The current use of land at the site is pastureland. The proposed site is located in an area with Jeanerette-Patoutville soil association. The poorly drained Jeanerette soils at the lower elevations comprise forty-five percent of the association; they have a very dark gray VI-S or black silt loam surface and a dark grayish-brown or olive brown silty clay loam subsoil. The somewhat poorly drained Patoutville soils comprise about forty percent of the association. They have a grayish-brown silt loam surface and a mottled brown, red, yellow, and gray silty clay loam subsoil. Olivier and frost soils make up most of the remaining fifteen percent of the association. Table 41 presents the degree of limitation this soil association has for certain land usages. The degrees of limitation range from slight to severe, Based on the proposed improvements, the soil should not pres e.nt any problems. The shrink-swell potential is moderate and the soil is suitable for portland cement stabi lization with hydrated lime treatment.; Site B is located in an area known as the prairie belt which is essentially grassland with wooded areas located mostly along streams. The prairie belt is bordered on the south by the coastal marsh which is an area of very low grasslands broken by many streams, bayous, and lakes. The elevation of this area varies between 0 and 5 feet above mean sea level. The surface of these marshlands consists mainly of organic materials or humus and impalpable silts. It is overgrown with a dense growth of marsh grass or saw grass and for the most part will not. sustain weight except near the bank of existing or old waterways where the natural levees raise the surface slightly above the marshiand elevation. Structures built in the coastal marsh must be supported by piling, and surface transportation is carried out by 40 "marsh buggy." Site B is near enough to the coastal marsh to be serviceable to the offshore oil and gas related industries but far enough.away to avert added construction costs and to avoid unnecessary destruction to the native marshland environment. VI-6 TABLE 41 SOIL INTERPRETATIONS FOR SELECTED USES SITE B BOSTON, LOUISIANA LAND USE DEGREE OF LIMITATION MW Jeanerette-45% Patoutville-40% Building sites Moderate to Severe Moderate Septic tank filter fields Severe Severe Sewage lagoons Slight Slight Low cost roads Moderate to Severe Moderate- Landscaping and gardening Moderate Moderate C. S Picnic Areas, Camp Sites, and golf fairways Moderate to Severe Moderate Playgr ounds Severe Moderate Slight the limitation is not serious and is easily tolerated or overcome. Moderate .- the limitation needs to be recognized, but it can be tolerated or overcome. Severe - the limitation cannot be easily tolerated or is difficult to overcome. Very Severe - the limitation is so restrictive that the stated use is generally impractical. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, General Soil Map -; Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. Alexandria, Louisiana: January, 1970. VI-7 Economic and Social Impacts It is anticipated that this proposed port development will create approximately 150 new jobs. This in turn will lower the unemployment rate and possibly improve the living conditions of the new employees. The site would alleviate the distress of the rapid expansion of industrial development due to the increasing oil and gas exploration which has created a shortage of available facilities. As has been previously stated, the existing conditions at Delcambre show a definite need for an inland barge facility. The area of proposed development is centrally located to existing and future oil and gas fields, thus providing savingsin energy and manhours to operators in the area. If additional facilities are not provided in this area, operators will have to locate in East Texas ports or further east along the Louisiana coast thereby experiencing greater operating costs. As was shown in Tables 32 and 33, there were 24 inland and 32 offshore oil and gas fields in Iberia Parish in 1976. Tables 35 and 36 listed S7 inland and 46 offshore oil and gas fields in Vermilion Parish in that same year. These figures further support the need for such a facility. If the site is developed for storage of grain, this will aid the agricultural economy in the marketing of their products. As was shown in Table 27, there are twelve country elevators in the potential Boston Terminal hinter- land. These elevators could ship directly to the port by truck for temporary storage and reshipment to export elevators at New Orleans and Lake Charles, Louisiana and Beaumont, Port Arthur, Houston, and Galveston, Texas. Grain and soybean farmers could also send their production directly from their fields at harvest to a terminal at the proposed site or, if they had on-the-farm VI-8 storage, they could ship directly by truck to the terminal anytime during the year to take advantage of favor able prices. For these reasons, the farmers will see a reduction in their transportation costs. The proposed facility will allow for the concentration of industries in one site. This site is located outside of the wetlands thereby rendering it economically feasible. MO VI-9 E N-V I M P A C T A S S E S S M E N T J R 0 M E N T A L 1. General Description The proposed project consists of the construction and development of two separate inland ports and docking facilities. The first site, which is identified as Site A, will be a dual purpose facility to accommodate the docking of shrimp boats to alleviate the crowded conditions presently existing at the existing docking facilities in Bayou Carlin at Delcambre, Louisiana. The second site, Site B, will be designed primarily as an inland barge facility to accommodate the rapid expansion of industrial development due to the increasing oil and gas exploration in the Twin Parish Port Region. Site B is located on the Boston Canal.. (See Vicinity 1--tap in Section VIII.) Site A contains 25 acres, more or less', of land lying east of the Delcambre Canal in Section 5 Township 13 South, Range 5 East of Iberia Parish. The land has been planted in rice in the past but is presently being used as pasture land. A 3,900 foot road is proposed to be built extending from the public road to the north of the property to the extreme southeast corner of the 25 acre tract. (See Preliminary Planned.Designs and Layout of Proposed Facilities Section.) The proposed development will provide much needed docking facilities for the numerous shrimp boats which utilize the Port of Delcambre. This would be a new facility, located approximately 1,650 feet from the existing 1,500 foot pier presently utilized by the shrimp boats. The present facilities have long been overcrowded due to the extensive use by both local and out-of-state shrimp boats. The recent Texas closure of shrimping has almost doubled the crowding of the existing facilities in Delcambre. VII-1 Site B also contains approximately 25 acres of pastureland located along the Boston Canal. The land will be develODed in accordance with engineering specifics identified in the Preliminary Planned Designs and Layout of Proposed Facilities section of this report. The proposed development at Site B will provide available property to the numerous oil and gas associated industries which use Vermilion Parish as part of their operations base. It is also anticipated that agricultural facilities, such as grain elevators, could possibly be located at this.site, 2. Beneficiaries a. Parish Affected Beneficiaries to the project will be the residents of Vermilion and Iberia Parishes. The 1980 preliminary census figures for the two parishes were 48,458 and 63,752, respectively. The residents of Delcambre and Erath will probably be the most directly affected by the project, and these two communities have 1980 populations of 2,216 and 2,133 respectively. b. Triggering Coastal Energy Activities The proposed project has been triggered by both an increase in oil and gas activities in the area and offshore, and also by the expanding shrimping industry. The recent closure of Texas waters has put an additional burden on the already crowded conditions in the Delcambre Port. c. Employment and Unemployment The increase' for additional docking and industrial space is evident in the increase in employment statistics. In June of 1981, the unemployment rate for Iberia and Vermilion Parishes is 5.8 percent and 5.7 percent respectively, as compared to 4.5 percent and 5.1 percent in 1980, and 5.6 percent and 5.9 percent in 1978. VII-2 The employment associated with the fishing industry in Delcambre is reflected in the number of persons employed in fishing in Iberia and Vermilion Parishes, ac-, coarding to the Louisiana Department of Employment Security. In 1970, there were 2,709 persons employed in the fishing and agricultaral industry in the two parishes. This figure represents 6.3 percent of the total employment in Iberia and 12.9 percent of the total employment in Vermilion Parish. It might be noted that the number of persons employed in the fishing industry has risen sharply since November of 1980 due to th e loss of jobs associated with the halting of mining operations at the Jefferson Island Salt Mine. The increase in employment of persons in the oil and gas industry is reflected in the associated activites of one lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. It is esti- mated that from one lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico (OCS Sale 45), there was an estimated increase of nearly 1,200 persons directly employed in the exploration Ok and production of oil and natural gas. Employment in support industries is based on an estimated 2.1 persons employed for every pe-rson employed in petroleum related industries. Since direct employment is estimated to amount to 1,194 persons during the years of peak activity, the in- duced activity is estimated to be an additional 3,500 persons. These increases will occur in the states of Louisiana and Texas. (DEIS Proposed 1977 OCS Oil and. Gas Lease Sale, Department of the Interior), Similar population and employment increases can be anticipated as a result of the other five scheduled leaseisales. Increases in on-shore drilling and the initiation of geothermal activity will con- tribute to the need for additional industrial support facilities. 3. Project Alternatives The following sections of the Environmental Impact Assessment represent the options, description, design, and objectives of the proposed construction at Site A (DelcdmbTe Facility) and Site (Boston.Facility). VII-3 Construction of Mooring Site at Site A a. No Action If no action is taken to alleviate the existing overcrowding conditions at the Delcambre Port, the present conditions will worsen, due primarily to increased fishing and oil and gas activities in the Vermilion and Iberia Parish areas. As time goes by, the incompatibility grows between the two industries (oil/gas and fishing). Should no action be taken, the Port of Delcambre will not be able to expand its ser- vices due to a lack of mooring facilities in the area. b. Objectives The primary objective of the construction of the two sites is to relieve some of the overcrowded conditions at the Port of Delcambre, and at the same time pro- vide separate docking and service facilities for the fishing industry and oil and gas industries. By providing the mooring facilities at Site A, the economy of both Vermilion and Iberia Parish will be expanded through increased employment opportunities at the Port of Delcambre. The new moo-ring system will result in added protection for the shrimp boats during inclement weather, as well as provide modern water and sewer facilities for the fleets docking in Delcambre. c. Design The design of Site A will consist primarily of two excavated areas totaling approximately 20.6 acres in which finger piers will be constructed to provide mooring spaces for approximately 120 boats. The design of the site was design-ed to accommodate the existence of a natural gas pipeline traversing the 25 acre site in a north- easterly direction. The excavated material (approximately 400,000 cubic yards) will be used to elevate the remaining property with the excess being either hauled VII-4 away or spread over adjoining properties with the owners'consent. (See Preliminary. Planned De.signs and.Layout of Proposed Facilities Section.) The larger of the two excavated sites will be dredged during the first phase of construction. This area, which will include approximately 14.6 acres, will include -2 620 feet of bulkheading, 1,175 feet of finger piers, and will be capable of handling 80 -boats when completed. The mechanical sewage Itreatment plant which will be constructed centrally at the entrance to both mooring areas, will be operational when the first phase of construction is completed. The second site to be excavated is located directly south of the larger mooring area- and'. will be approximately 6.0 acres large. This area will consist of 1,175 feet of timber bulkheading on timber pilings, with one finger pier constructed 225, feet in length. A hardsurfaced road will be constructed to afford access to the site from the parish road located 3,900 feet from the northern portion of the property., Limestone or shell will be placed on the unexcavated areas to provide parking and off/on loading areas for boat owne rs utilizing the mooring area. A six inch water well will be dug to provide water to the site for the washing of boats, fire fighting, and associated uses. Two inch lines will provide water along all finger piers to provide water to boats utilizing the facility. A mechanical sewage treatment plant will be constructed for the dumping of sewage from fishing boats. The plant will be located at the entrande to the two sites along the Delcambre Canal. Adequate lighting will also be provided at the mooring site to increas e security and allow better conditions for working at night. d. General Site The general location of the proposed mooring site is approximately one-half mile south of Delcambre,.Louisiana, on the eastern bank of the Delcambre Canal. VII-5 e. General Description The Twin Parish Port Commission proposes to build a mooring site located approxi- mately one-half mile south of the Town of Delcambre on the eastern bank of the Delcambre Canal. The site, which will consist of two separate mooring sites totalling 20.6 acres, will be used to alleviate crowded conditions at the Port of Delcamb-re. and'. at the same time provide a safe and modern docking area for shrimp boats during inclement weather and off-seasons. The project will be constructed in two phases with the larger mooring site on the northern section of the 25 acre site being constructed first. This site, which includes 14.6 acres of mooring area, will include 2,620 feet of timber bulkheading and 1,175 feet of piers. A two inch water line will be run along the bulkheaded areas and piers to provide fresh water to the boats utilizing the area. The access road, as well as parking will be constructed during this first phase of construction. The second phase will include the excavation of a 6.0 acre mooring area south of the mooring area constructed under the first phase. This area will include construction of 225 feet of piers and 1,175 feet of timber bulkheading on timber pilings. All of these activities will have a minimal adverse environmental impact during the construction phase of the project. Some of the short term impacts of the con- struction will include increased noise and air pollution from heavy equipment, as well as increased runoff and erosion. After construction, these adverse impacts will cease. The parking and loading areas will be covered with limestone or shell to prevent dusty conditions,and the bulkheading will decrease the possibility of erosion. VII-6 f. Character of the Environment Site A consists of twenty-five acres of pastureland which is presently grown over by weeds and small bushes.. There is a spoil bank located along the north- western portion of the site, which resulted from dredging activities of.the Delcambre Canal in past years. The Delcambre Canal which borders the site on the west, is used extensively by fishing boats which use the numerous fish and shrimp processing plants in Delcambre to market their catches. The canal is also utilized by small barges to transport salt products in and out of the surface mining operation at Jefferson Island, north of the Town of Delcambre. g. General Description A twenty-five (2S) acre mooring site is being planned by the Twin Parish Port Commission to be constructed along the Delcambre-Canal one-half mile south of the Town of Delcambre, on the east bank of the Canal. The facility will consist of two mooring areas totalling 20.6 acres of docking space, with the remaining 4.4 acres to be utilized as parking and loading space for the fishermen utilizing the site. All of the waterfront property will be bulkheaded with piers extending out into the mooring site to provide maximum utilization of the site and facilities. Water, sewer and electricity will be available at the site. Lighting facili- ties will be provided to increase security and allow safer working conditions during night hours. Construction of Inland Barge Facility at Site B a. No Action If no action is taken, the oil and gas industry will be forced to continue to share docking space at the Delcambre Port. The incompatibility of the oil and gas .01 VII-7. industry and the fishing fleet of the Port of Delcambre will.continue. Any future expansion of industrial development in the Delcambre and Erath area will be hindered by lack of available space for possible expansion opportunities. b. Objectives The objectives of the inland barge facility at the Boston site are: 1) To expand commerce and employment in the eastern part of Vermilion and western portion ofIberia Parish. 2) To provide industrial support to service the offshore oil and gas industry with accessible goods and services. 3) To meet the demands of OCS activities by providing an industrial 0 setting for support to service industries. 4) To provide a nearby docking facility for agricultural products grown in Vermilion and surrounding parishes. 0 5) To relieve congestion of the Port of Delcambre and to reduce the in- compatibility of the petroleum and fishing industries at the Port of DelcambTe. 6) To build these facilities in an easily accessible area while preserving environmentally sensitive wetland areas. c. Design 0 The inland barge facility at the Boston Site will consist of a 25 acre tract of land of which 1,320 feet fronts on the Boston Canal, The development of the site will require excavation of fifty (50) feet of land the distance of the property (1,320 feet) to provide adequate docking and mooring area for the four industrial sites to be developed. (See Preliminary Planned De'siagns and Layout of Proposed Facilities Section.) The approximate 30,000 cubic yards of excavated material will be---spread over the remainder of the property. VII-8 A timber bulkhead on timber pilings will extend,along the 1,320 feet of water- front docking space. A sixty (60) foot hardsurfaced road will be constructed from the extreme southern edge of the property to the parish road located approximately 2,600 feet from the southern portion of the twenty-five (25) acre site. The 25 acre site will be subdivided into three 5.5 acre sites (800 feet and 300 feet) and one 7.7 acre site (800 feet and 420 feet). It is estimated that ap- proximately 85 percent of the land will be used for oilfield fabrication and possible agricultural product storage and shipping facilities. The remaining 15 percent will be used for port facilities. The.7*7 acre site presently has a high power line crossing the southern one hundred fifty (150) feet of the property, and therefore, will only be utilized as storage areas such as pipe, yards, et cetera. No permanent building or other structure will be allowed in this area. Water and sewer facilitiesuill be providedby the occupants of the property. The electrical service will be furnished.by Gulf States Utilities. d. General Site The general location for Site B is approximately 6 miles south of Erath along the Boston Canal. The site is approximately one-half mile downstream from Louisiana State Highway Number 688. e. General Description The Twin Parish Port Commission proposes -to build a 25 acre inland barge faci- lity along the Boston Canal. The facility will aid in alleviating the.dLstress of rapid industrial development, due to increasing oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal marshes of Louisiana. The site will also be capable of handling barge loading facilities to accommodate the agricultural products produced in Vermilion, Iberia and surrounding parishes. During construction, fifty (50) feet of the property fronting the entire length of the site (1,320 feet) will be excavated, with the excavated material being spread VII-9 over the remaining 23.5 acres. Timber bulkheading will, be constructed along the property fronting along the Canal, to prevent erosion and facilitate docking acti- vities for the tenants of the facility. It is estimated that some erosion may occur during construction but the bulk- heading is'.scheduled to be constructed.immediately following excavation. Other activities will include construct ion of a roadbed from the parish road north of the site and- construction of warehouses on concrete slabs. All of these activities will have minimal adverse environmental impacts during the construction phase including: increased run-off, eros ion, dust and noise, and exhaust fumes from heavy machinery. After construction, these adverse impacts will cease. Ground cover will be replanted to reduce run-off and dusty conditions. f. Character of the Environment .Site B consists of 25 acres of pastureland. The area was cultivated in rice in past years but is presently used for production of cattle. The Boston Canal, which borders the site on the western side, is used primarily as an access canal to the Vermilion Bay for area fishermen and sport fishermen. g. General Description An inland barge facility is proposed to be constructed along the Boston Canal south of Erath, Louisiana. The facility will consist of 25 acres (less I.S acres of excavated property) divided into four industrial parcels, ranging from 7.7 acres to 5.5 acres. Fifty (50) feet of property will be excavated along the entire length of the property to facilitate docking of barges along the industrial areas, while preventing blockage of traffic in the Canal. A timber bulkhead on timber pilings will be constructed along the 1,320 feet of property fronting on the canal. A limestone road will provide access to vehicular traffic from the Parish Road. VII-10 M 4W Electrical utilities will be provided by Gulf States Utilities. Tenants will be responsible for providing water and sewer facilities in accordance with Parish health standards. 4. Project Design Engineering design features and techniques applied to the proposed facilities are those which will have the least disturbance to the surrounding environment, while at the same time utilize the property to its highest potential. Both pro- jects have been developed to be compatible with existing environmental conditions.. The moo-ring site to be developed at Delcambre (Site A) will provide a safe modern mooring area for shrimp boats when using Delcambre as a marketing place for their catches, as well as seeking protection from inclement weather which often affects the fishing industry. The inland barge facility at the Boston Site will aid in alleviating the problem of lack of space for industrial development associated with the oil and. gas industry in south Louisiana. The site will provide industrial property for four (4) tenants, with all having bulkheaded docking space along the Boston Canal. Engineering featu res used to minimize disturbance to the environment will include the use of bulkheading to protect and stabilize the waterfront property at both sites,and- pervious surface material to permit infiltration of rainfall and reduce erosion and run-off. The dredging at both sites will occur in, uplands with the spoils being spread over adjoining lands. 5. Compliance with State and Local Environmental Permits and Procedures Both sites are located along navigable waterways, and therefore will require a section 404 permit before dredging and bulkheading -begin. A coastal use per-:* mit will also be required from the Iberia and Vermilion Parish Police Juries VII-11 during the initial dredging and bulkheading and for any future activities which require such a permit. The proposed actions will be required to conform to the Coastal Zone Management Program of the State of Louisiana and also the Parishes of Vermilion and Iberia. Both Vermilion and Iberia Parish require building permits for any n ew struc- ture constructed in the Parishes, so a building permit will have to be acquired by each person or firm constructing a permanent structure at either site. The sites are both located in a flood hazard area according to Flood Hazard Boundary Maps provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Insurance Agency. Therefore, flood insurance will have to be acquired on new structures constructed at the sites. Local health codes will be adhered to in addition to state requirements re- garding the discharge of treated liquids. 6. Environmental Summary The malor environmental impact at both Site A and Site B will be the dred- ging of a canal to facilitate activities at both sites. This dredging will cause erosion and impact the water quality in the immediate vicinity for a short period of time. The proposed road to each site will cause increased -run-off and erosion to the area.' There will also be an increase in noise due to the construction activities at the ports. It is anticipated that air quality may also be slightly affected by an increase in the airborne particulate matter. 7. Short-Term and Long-Term Impacts of Project, The majority of the impacts associated with the project are short-term in nature and are all associated with the construction of facilities at both sites. V11-12 As stated previously, the dredging of the canal will cause erosion and a temporary decrease in the water quality in the immediate area. The removal of vegetation for construction of the access roads and buildings will cause an increase in erosion during the construction process. The noise levels and air quality will be adversely impacted by the use of heavy equipment during construction. However, most of these impacts will cease upon project completion. The entrance to the canal will be stabilized with bulkheading to prevent erosion following completion. Ground cover will be replanted and a pervious surface material, either limestone or shell,will be used wherever possible to reduce dust and increase infiltration of rainfall. Surrounding land is primarily agricultural, and therefore will not be affected by any-of the proposed activities. The long-term impacts of the project at both sites are generally favorable. The docking facilities at Site A (Delcambre) will alleviate the problems presently plaguing the piers in the area. The new facility will allow-facilities for both fishing vessels and vessels utilized by the petroleum industry and will,therefore, indirectly enhance the economic conditions of the area. The long-term impacts at Site B (Boston Canal) are also very favorable, in that it will provide for a healthy operating environment for the rapidly expanding petroleum industry and related service companies. The location of the port will centralize industrial activities along the Boston Canal and provide a location whereby needed utilities and other support facilities will be readily available, by providing needed services for the offshore development industry. The only long-term negative impact associated with the proposed projects will be the additional erosion and subsequent maintenance required on the Delcambre Canal and Boston Canal due to increased boat traffic. The wave action caused by increased boat traffic will possibly result in streambank erosion. VII-13 8. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources TheIproposed project does not involve commitment of any irreversible and/or irretrievable resources. Air and water quality will suffer temporary impacts during the construction phase, but will be restored upon completion of the project. Any birds, animals and reptiles in the area could relocate to adjoining similar habitat. No rare or endangered species would be threatened by altered lands. However, prime farmland, when used for rice production such as Sites A and B, offers little foot, cover or-breeding @ites for most animals or birds. No -i)arks, archeological or historical sites are located in the location of the proposed project.- 9. Federal/State Agency Involvement a. The following.is a list of other projects which were authorized for CEIP funding in Vermilion and Iberia Parishes between October 1, 1979 through September 1, 1980: 1) Partial funding of design of sewage treatment facilities (New Iberia) 2) Partial funding of new Vermilion Parish Detention Center construction (Vermilion Parish) 3) Automation of Clerk of Courts Accounting System (Vermilion Parish) 4) Rennovation of Municipal Office Building @Abbeville) 5) Robert Burley Park (Iberia Parish) The Acadiana Regional Clearinghouse issued a favorable review of the application for CEIP grant funding. b. There is no other Federal agency participating in this proposed project either through the pro vision of additional funds, a companion project, or a permit review authority. VII-14 C. The Evangeline Economic and Planning District is the areawide planning agency under whose jurisdiction the area of the proposed facility is within. d. This project has never been under consideration by any other public funding agencies. 10. Consultation and Coordination with Others These private and public organizations have cooperated in or contributed to the preparation of this environmental.document: 1) Department of the Interior, Geological Survey 2) United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census 3) Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers 4) Na tional Flood Insurance Program S) Louisiana Department of Labor, Office of Employment Security 6) Louisiana Department of Conservation 7) Louisiana Department of Education 8)' Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries 9) Louisiana State Cooperative Extension Service 10) University of Southwestern Louisiana 11) Vermilion Parish School Board 12) Iberia Parish School Board ID 13) Vermilion Parish Police Jury 14) Iberia Parish Police Jury Analysis of Significant Environmental Impacts 1. Land Use a. Development Impact 1) Site A is located south of the Town of Delcambre, located on the east bank of the Delcambre Canal. Site B is located south o-J" the Town of VII-15 Erath on the east bank of the Boston Canal. Both parcels of land were once cultivated in rice, but are presently utilized as pastureland. 2) Land Use Plan No land use plan or zoning ordinance exists for Vermilion Parish or more specifically, the location of Site A and B. However, the proposed project would be compatible with the surrounding land use which is predominantly agri- cultural. b. Impact on Other Community Facilities The proposed projects will not have a significant or adverse impact on 0 community facilities in either Delc'ambre, Erath, or Vermilion and Iberia Parish. The domestic water supply for Delcambre is furnished by one well which has a one million gallon per day pumping capacity, with a 100,000 gallon elevated storage tank., The estimated total usage is 800, 000 gpd, therefore, leaving a 200,000 gallon surplus. The Erath water system is furnished by two (2) deep water wells and a 250,000 gallon elevated storage tank. The sewer system in Delcambre consists of a gravity flow collection system with lift stations, along with a 700,000 gallon per day trickling filter treatment plant. The Town is presently in Phase II of an EPA sewer grant to provide improvements to the system.. Erath, however, is not as fortunate for only thirty-five (35) residential customers are served by the present two-cell oxidation pond. The Town is presently involved in Phase II and III of an EPA sewer grant to provide much needed expansion to the present system. The schools in the Vermilion Parish School System are currently operating under capacity and plans exist for future expansion. One new school is presently under construction., while two are scheduled to be completely renovated and enlarged. VII-16 Erath General Hospital presently serves the area of both sites with the available 63 beds. The hospital is capable of providing both long-term care, as well as most emergency cases which might occur. When more sophisticated equipment is required, hospitals in New Iberia, Abbeville, and Lafayette are only minutes away. Fire protection will be provided by any one of the many substations.of the Vermilion Parish Fire Protection Association. Population growth associated with the sites in Delcambre and Erath will not adversely affect the delivery of community services. An increase in capital investment in both Site A and B will result in an increase in tax revenues to the Parish Therefore, the impact of the proposed facility on community services will be positive. c. Small Scale Maps Exhibit A., is a USGS Topographic Map of the Delcambre area. Exhibit B is a USGS Topographic Map of the Boston site area. Exhibit C is a U.S. Soil Conservation General Soils Map of Vermilion Parish. Exhibit D is the Iberia Parish Soils Map. None of the following environmental features are located in the vicinity of the two project sites: dunes, beaches, steep slopes, we tlands, areas of scenic beauty, woodlands, or Wildlife habitats. Both sites are located in the floodplain as depicted by the Flood Hazard Boundary Map.(Revised May, 1978). This is unavoidable, since the only feasible site for the two projects are in lower Vermilion and Iberia Parishes, which fall within the flood zone. Aquifer recharge in the vicinity is generated primarily through the numerous water bodies in the area, primarily the Vermilion River and Bayou Teche. Groundwater in the area of the two sites, which are located in the Mermentau- Vermilion-Teche Basins, is generally derived in large quantities from strata VII-17 Nj_ebmj@A J. 59 2 63 60 ....... w", 4% 54 rid 70 19 40 5 0@6 35 ---- 71 31t 33 4069 56 7- 43 0 7 sGI Ica 44 41 6 A Com 61 5 3 E -14 ZLI v v r L Mr- V, 4- C, - !'t- -@L 7- ...... Eli 9 A TE S/ A -@v -w 54 X -7- A -T- 7--l SEE -24 t -@ - --:. - - - - - -,- - .- - - - @,: i Old- -.3:: =WC& -W 1-1 -ana-pnft@@ I ot-@defrri -4r If EXHIBIT A Ti 40r gre Lagoa Ins UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TOPOGRAPH 10 MAP' DELCAMBRE SITE STUDY TWtN P-A:R I SK PORT COMMISSION 1 1/2 0 SCALE OF I MILES 2 3 8AY r F" VER441L ION - , *.= . k 40 dp@ 711- -,0 37 nt 28 39(/ r21 @2O 22. 23 19 37 22 19 38 L-4 Boston . ..... PQ- -AN 5 @-27 .26 0 2.3 4k am - 48 r Ft ;Qci* W2 k.::;,@- 3 3 31 TE 1 4@@W@y r 5 4b 4 A- A- 8 83 T I-A t T 117 i84-1 So uil ca@ jt -79 atunv No 1". urn .2 Ilk ISS L OU MW .77-1 kuk a tj H 35, r tr. 3S-- 7@ .7 - 47 35, EXHIBIT B 10 UN-ITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY w, TOPOGRAPHIC MAP Y I BOSTON SITE STUDY F;)!. clle*llfl@ 1; V 'It- TWIN PARISH PORT COMMISSION SCALE OF MILES r 1/2 0 1 2 3 I I r Hill 88F'orff L -.14, I t -c3E TE Nil 7 le .. w 8 9 7 10 9 9 10 SUL E "NERAL SOIL MAP, VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA U. S. DEPARTM.ENT OF AGRICULTURE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE ALEXANDRIA. LOUISIANA IN COOPERATION WITH LOUISIANA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION JANUARY 1970 4-R-28747-A EXHIBIT C SWAMP-LOCAL ALLUVIAL LAND ASSOCIATION- This is an area Of swamps and local stream bottamlands mostly on the floodplain of the Vermilion River and Bayou Queue De Tortue. These lands are used for woodland, reservoir areas for rice irrigation water and drainage outlets. They are at low elevations and are flooded frequently with much of the areas being flooded most of the time. Swamp land with the water table at or above the surface most of the time makes up about 70 percent of the association. This land consists of clayey and organic deposits. The Local Alluvial land makes up about 20 percent of the association. it consists generally of si Ity and clayey alluvial deposits that are frequently flooded. Fresh Water Marsh and Harris soils make up most of the remaining 10 percent of the association. BEAUMONT-MO REY-MI D LAND ASSOC IATION-Level, clayey and silty smils. This is an area of nearly level poorly drained soils on a broad prairie which extends northwest to Efl southeast across the parish. These soils are used mostly for cropland. Rice is the principal crop. The Beaumont soils at low elevations make up about 40 percent of the association. They have a very dark or black clay surface and a gray clay subsoil mottled with brown. The Morey soils at low elevations make up about 30 percent of the association. They have a very dark gray or black si It loam surface and a dark gray silt clay loam subsoil mottled with brown. The Midland soils at slightly higher elevations make up about 15 percent of the association. They have a dark gray silty clay loam surface and a gray clay subsoil mottled with brown. Crowley, Mowata.'Harris, Patoutville and Jeanerette soils soils make up most of the remaining 15 percent of the association. LORING-OLIVIER-F ROST ASSOCIATION-Undulating and gently sloping silty soils. This is an area of undulating and gently sloping soils on a broad terrace at a high elevation in northeast part of the parish. These soils are used mostly for cropland. 5ugarcane and saybeans.are the principal crops. The moderately will drained Loring soils on the high nearly level to gently sloping areas make up about 30 percent of the association. They have a brown silt loam surface and a dark brown silt clay loam subsoil mottled with gray in the lower part. The somewhat poorly drained Olivier soils on the nearly level areas make up about 30 percent of the association. They have a grayish-brown si It loam surface and a yellowish-brown silty clay loam subsoil mottled with gray. The poorly drained Frost soils in the depressions and narrow valleys make up about 3 '0 percent of the association. They have a very dark gray silt loam surface and a gray silty clay lo.am, subsoil mottled with brown. Calhoun, Pasoutirille and Jeanerette soils make up most of the remaining 10 percent of the association. JEANERETTE-PATOUTVILLE ASSOCI ATION- Level to nearly level silty soils. 51 This is an area of level to nearly level soils on a broad terrace in the northeast part of the parish., The .se F soils are used mostly for cropland. Sugarcane. rice and soybeans are the principal crops. The poorly drained Jeanerette soils at the lower elevations make up about 45 percent of the association. They have a very dark gray or black si It loam surface and a dark grayish-brown of*oliye brown silty clay loam subsoil. The somewhat poorly drained Patoutville soils at the higher elevations make up about 40 percent of the association. Therhave a grayish-brown silt loam surface arid a mottled brown. red, yellow and gray silty clay loam subsoil. Olivier and Frost soils make up most of the remaining 15 percent of the association. CROWLEY -PATOUTV I LLE ASSOC IATI ON-Near ly level silty soils with clayey and silty subsoils. This is an area of newly level and undulating soils on a broad prairie in the north central part of the F6 parish. These soils are used mostly for cropland. Rice is the principal crop. The somewhat poorly drained Crowley soils on the nearly level areas at high elevations make up about 45 percent of the association. They have a grayish-brown silt loam surface and gray, red and brown mottled silty clay subsoil. The somewhat poorly drained Patoutville soils at the highest elevations an the undulating and gently sloping areas make up about 35 percent of the association. They have a grayish-brown silt loam surfaceand a dark grayish-brown silty clay loam subsoil mottled with shades of brown. red. yellow and gray. Jeanerette, Frost. Bezumont. Midland, Morey and Mowata soils at the lower elevations make up most of the remaining 20 percent of the association. HARR IS-MOREY-MOWATA, Drained. ASSOCIATION-Level clayey and silty soils that are diked and drained. This is an area of poorly drained soils that are part of and adjacent to the fresh water marsh. They are protected from flooding by dikes (levees) and are drained by pumps. These soi Is are used mostly for cropland. Rice is the principal crop., Pasture is the principal use on Pecan Island. The Harris soils at the lowest elevations on broad, nearly level areas make up about 75 percent of the association. They have a very dark gray or black clay surface and a gray clay subsoil mottled with brown. The Morey soils at the higher elevations on ridges and islands make up about 10 percent of the association. They have a very dark gray or black silt loam surface and a dark gray subsoil mottled with brown. The Mowata soils also on the higher elevations on ridges and islands make up about 10 percent of the association. They have a dark gray silt loam surface and gray clay subsoil mottled with brown. Fresh Water Marsh Peat, Beaumont. Crowley, Patoutvi(le, and Jeanerette soils make up most of the remaining S percent of the association. FRESH WATER MARSH-Organic fresh water marsh land. This is an area of fresh water marsh land that occurs adjacent to the uplands. These lands are at or F8 near sea level and are flooded most of the time with fresh'water. They are used mostly for wildlife habitat and as a water reservoir for rice irrigation. Some areas are used for cattle range. Most of the land consists of organic material 18 to 50 inches thick. over gray clay. Islands of Harris soils and spoil banks make up most of the remaining 5 percent of the association. SALT WATER MARSH-HARRIS, Saline Phase ASSOCIATION-Organic and mineral marsh soils. This is an area of organic and mineral marsh soils that occur at or near sea level and are flooded most of the time by salt water. Tidal action from the Gulf of Mexico affects much of the area. Many salt- EXHIBI' water ponds and tidal channels are present. These soils are used mostly for wildlife habitat. Some of the more stable areas are used for cattle range. About 65 percent of the association consists of soft, 10 organic and mineral mud IS to 50 inches thick over clayey material. The Harris soils occurring in areas C adjacent to higher lands make up about 30 percent of the association. They have a very dark gray or black mucky surface and gray clay subsoil. Brackish Marsh Peat. spoil banks. and Fresh Water Marsh make,up most of the remaining S percent of the association. r 6- R 5 E R 6 E 7 Dauteri T S LAFAYETTE le R 9E PARISH c,@h Daspit PARISI pAciFIC; Lake Fame .6 Fbinte 30 00' r5 Gharlotte e4r Aa LaKe 6 offerso Fausse Fbinte Island lp 14 t 2 0 3 dia T TE 1#8 11 so E to 13 5 S ..y sland 4c" 83 "0 12 R4 E T YLP 5 A@L A Et!!@Ay 14 S 0, Lag- 12 I'll lvck@ Bay w Veeks tij Island/ SH ISL D M )p 40 Z >0' G) -0 9 M mrn RUSS LL SA Lake BA I' har ILD I REF AND 0 > 0. m 00, Island r" AME P VE c mm z T rn >* -4 01 -4 two 0 15 0 M5 -A 1 10 91 50, S 0, t-4 mm xo z > 29:3 C) rw rn U) 0 wM M lc@ 0 c m c >> zso 4m > 0 z SOIL ASSOCIATIONS MINERAL SOILS THAT ARE SELDOM TO NEVER FLOODED IBERIA- LOREAUVILLE-BALDWIN association: Level, poorly drained clayey soils and somewhat poorly drained loamy sois of the alluvial plain. JEANERETTE--PATOUTVILLE association: Level to nearly level, somewhat poorly drained loamy soils of the terrace upland. GALLION-GALVEZ- BALDWIN association. Undulating, level and nearly level. well drained and somewhat poorly drained loamy soils and Poorly drained clayey soils of the alluvial plain. COTEAU-PATOUTVILLE association: Nearly level and very gently sloping. somewhat poorly drained loamy soils of the terrace upland. MEMPHIS- FROST association: Sloping and hilly. well drained and very gently sloping, poorly drained loamy soils of the IWO domes. MINERAL SOILS THAT ARE FREQUENTLY TO OCCASIONALLY FLOODED FAUSSE- SHARKEY-NEWELLTON association. Very poorly drained to somewhat Poorly drained claveV soils of the alluvial plain adjacent to the Atchafalaya Floodway. FAUSSE-CONVENT association: Verv poorly drained clayey soils and somewhat poorly drained loamy soils of the AtChafalaVa FloodwaV part of the alluvial plain. FAUSSE association. VefV poorly Chained clayey soils of the Atchafalaya Floodway part of the alluvial plain. PLACEDO association: Very poorly drained clavev soils of the firm marshes. SCATLAKE association: VerV poorly drained clayey soils of the soft marshes. ORGANIC SOILS THAT ARE FREQUENTLY FLOODED LAFITTE association: Very poorly drained organic soils of the soft marshes. MAUREPAS association, Very poorly drained organic soils of the tidal swamps and soil marshes. EXHIBIT "D-1" that is chiefly sand and gravel interbedded with clay. Large ground water supplies are obtained from alluvial gravel. Both Site A and B are proposed to be located on land presently used as pastureland. The surrounding property at both sites consists of prime agricul- tural land, but will in no way be affected by the construction at the two sites. Activities at both sites are expected to be compatible with adjoining agricultural land uses. The major roadway near both sites is Louisiana Highway 14. This high- way is the major transportation route for east-west traffic in Vermili6n and Iberia Parish., LA 14 connects U.S. Highway 167 and 90 in Abbeville and New Iberia respectively. Both-sites will be accessible to parish roads via newly constructed improved roads leading to each site. d. Floodplains The Flood Hazard Boundary Map (Revis ed May, 1978) for Vermilion 4nd Iberia parishes shows.that both Site A and B are withih the flood hazard area. Due to the water -related activities of the moo-ring area in.Delcambre and the inland barge facility at Boston, the location in the flood hazard area is unavoidable. Therefore, the design of the project will: 1) Minimize potential harm to the floodplain. 2) Meet floodproof standards under the National Flood Insurance Program. Spoil material dredged from the port channel will.be deposited on land and landscaped to elevate structures above the present elevation of between 5 to 10 feet. Structures built in the floodplain will be flood-proofed, Vermilion Parish is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program. VII-18 3) The design of the project will be in compliance with the Flood Disaster Protection Act as specified in Section 102 (a) Title 1. e. Wetlands Neither Site A or B are located in wetlands as defined in Executive Order 11990. f. Farmland Both Sites A and B will be located on land presently used primarily for agricultural purposes. Sites A and B are presently utilized as pastureland; however.. both were used for rice production in the recent past. Both sites meet the criteria for prime farmland as defined.by U,S. Soil Conservation Service U.S.D.A. in the Land Inventory and Monitoring Memo - 3 (October 31,.1975). The sites are not in a special agricultural district desi- gnated by either the State or parish. Both sites.are used by -resident birds and some small animals for nesting and feeding, The Areawide Land-Development Plan (1978) prepared by the Evangeline Economic Development District shows Sites A and B to be farmland. This plan has not been officially adopted by any local government unit, but represents existing land use in the district, g. Wildlife Habitat Sites A and B are classified as farmland; if alteredthey would not have major effects on wildlife habitat. These areas do provide nesting and limited feeding for some of the following: brown headed cowbirds, meadowlark, blackbirds, sparrows, hawks and other resident species. Areas could be in@. cluded in the range of cottontail, rabbits, armadillo, field mice and ribbon snakes. No rare or endangered species would be threatened by the alteration of these lands. It should be noted that Site A. due to its proximity to the VII-19 Town of Delcambre, is probably not used as extensively by wildlife as Site B. 41 Alteration of these lands to provide the needed excavated areas would. not have any major effect on wildlife habitat. Wildlife could possibly be affected by the removal of vegetation or the spreading of excavated materials 9 over the sites6 however, lost population could relocate into adj'oining similar habitats. The proposed project could not jeopordize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species (fl ora or fauna), nor could it result in the destruction or modification of a habitat or portion of such habitat of endangered or threatened species! 2. Noise Impacts The proposed project is not a noise sensitive land use. The State of Louisiana does not have a noise quality program or noise standards. The Louisiana Occupational Health section deals with noise@I,problemns on a complaint basis. There has never been a complaint filed by anyone in the Vermilion Parish area. Sites A and B are located in agricultural areas away from residential population centers. Noise emanating from the proposed project would not affect a noise sensitive area. 3. Air Quality a. The proposed project would not lower existing air. quality in the area. Air quality effects of the project would be temporary in nature and would include suspended dust particles during construction. and exhaust fumes from construction machinery. b. The proposed location of Site A is located approximately one-half mile downstream from the Town of Delcambre. The anticipated activities at the mooring site will involve shrimp boats which are presently docking along the 0 VII-20 Delcambre Canal closer to the Town. The Boston Site is located in an ag ricultural area with the closest residence located approximately one mile away. c. The dominant topography of the area is flat with 0-1% slope. This is favorable for horizontal and vertical dispersion of contaminants. d. Prevailing winds are southerly from the Gulf of Mexico. e. The applicable priority classifications for air quality management are 1 for S02 and hydrocarbons, 2 for.particulates, and 3 for carbon monoxide and nitrogen 6xide. Although there are no areas designated as air quality. management in Vermilion Parish, it is anticipated that the two proposed sites are-well below these standards set by the Louisiana.Air Control Commission. f. There is no potential for changes in the microclimate of the area. 4. Environmental Effects Water temperature change due to the existence of the mooring site or inland barge facility would be insignificant. During the summer months, water in the channel would absorb the heat of the sun. The same effect would occur in the river channel with no significant differences in temperature. The concentration of total dissolved solids would increase during excavation and construction. Excavation of.the site would cause a temporary and unavoidable increase in erosion., After completion of the excavation, waterfront areas would be bulkheaded to prevent erosion. The primary cause of high concentrations of dissolved solids in the Delcambre Cana I and Boston Canal is erosion from local croplands. Increases in suspended solids may occur during construction of the project, however, long-term effects of the project may show a decrease dissolved solids. There will be no significant change in nitrogen saturation. Mechanical sewage treatment will be provided at the Delcambre Site, while septic tanks VII-21 will be:installed at the Boston Site. Effluent will meet the standards set by the Louisiana Department ofHealth. No hazardous waste will be stored or handled at either facility. Solid waste will be disposed of at the Vermilion Parish Solid Waste Disposal Facility. There will be no increase in pathogens. Sewage treatment will be provided on-site and will meet existing health standards. The existence of the mooring and inland barge facility will not effect- the rate of eutTophication or effect water temperature. The odor and taste of the water will not change. Neither the Delcambre Canal or Boston Canal are sources of potable drinking water. Changes in water quality due-to the faci- lities would be temporary in nature and would not create conditions outside of permissible or desirable conditions as expressed by water quality standards or general social opinion. 5. Waste Water Treatment Plants Not ap plicable. 6. Solid Waste Management The solid waste disposal method used in Vermilion Parish is a milling process with mill fill. The volume of solid.wastes are reduced by the milling process and then land filled. Solid wastes generated during construction of the proposed projects will be disposed of.by this mill fill technique. The solid waste will consist of miscellaneous building materials, The quantity of such solid waste will be small. After development of the inland barge facility at Boston, the amount and kind of solid waste will depend on the industries which locate there Organics and other solid wastes generated by these industries will be processed at the mill. VII-22 Solid waste generated at the Delcambre Site will be those commonly associated with the fishing industry. and will be handled through either an agreement with the Town of Delcambre or through a private disposal firm. 7. Human Population The proposed project will not cause the disruption of any of the following services to a human population for more than 24 hours: water, electrical power,. natural gas, or sewage. No people will have to be relocated due to the project. 8. Transportation. Accessibility to Vermilion Parish is primarily via I-1-0 to U.S., 90 and U.S,. 167. The major route serving both Sites A and B will be LA 14, which is the major east-west thoroughfare in Vermilion and Iberia Parishes. The major water transportation routes in Vermilion and Iberia Parishes are the Vermilion River, Bayou Teche, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Freshwater Bayou Canal, Development of the mooring area along the Delcambre Canal will result in additional traffic along the Canal due to increased availability of docking space. This limited additional traffic should not result in any type of excess maintenance to the waterway or surrounding facilities. The inland barge facility will not. result in a large increase in boat traffic along the Boston Canal. The amount.of traffic will be directly.effected by the type of industries locating at the facility. It is anticipated that all traffic using the facility will exit for its final destination via the Boston Canal then through the Gulf.Intracoastal Waterway, Any additional highway traffic will utilize Highway 167, or LA 14, which are both presently being converted from two lane.to.four lane routes, There, forej these new roads are expected to be able to facilitate any additional traffic generated by the two proposed facilities. VII-23 Local and parish roads will be used to connect the sites to the above mentioned thoroughfares. These roads are anticipated to need periodic repair, ,but these repairs should be offset by additionalrevenues generated-at each site. 9. Wild and Scenic Rivers The proposed project will not effect a river or portion of-a'river-which is either -included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers-System or-designated for potential addition to the system. 10. Historic Preservation There-are.no listings in the National Register of Historic Places in-the -study areas. The State Historic Preservation Office has reviewed the two -locations of the proposed sites and has verified that no historic sites are located in-the areas under consideration.(See next pagel VII-24 STATE OF LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, RECREATION AND TOURISM OFFICE OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT DAVID C. TREEN ROBERT B. DOBLIEUX MRS. LAWRENCE H. FOX Governor Assistant Secretary Secretary October 28, 1980 Mr. Joseph E. Schexnaider J.E. Schexnaider & Associates P.O. Box 579 Abbeville, LA 70510 Dear Mr-. Schexnaider: Our central state@files contain no known archaeological, historical- .o,rLcultura.1 sites within the two areas shown on your map. In addition, no siteSLlisted in the-National Register of Historic Places:are located in these areas. If we-can be of any further assistance'Lplease., feel free to'.contact@ my staff in the@Division of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Sincer y, Robert B. DeBlieux State,Historic Preservation Officer RBD:JKK:bb abed* DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION P. 0. Box 44247 1 Baton Rouge, La. 70804 504 342-6682 PRELIMINARY PLANNING DESIGNS AND LAYOUTS OF PROPOSED FACILITIES Engineering design features and techniques applied to the proposed projects are those which will have the least disturbance to the surrounding envirnment, the project designs have been developed to be compatible with existing environmental standards. Following are descriptions of preliminary design s and layouts of sites A and B as located on Exhibit-"E". SITE A - Delcambre Mooring Area The Twin Parish Fort Commission proposes to build a mooring site located approximately one-half mile south of the Town of Delcambre on the eastern bank of the Delcambre Canal. The site, which will consist of two separate mooring sites totalling 20.6 acres, will be used to alleviate crowded -conditions at the Port of Delcambre and at the same time provide a safe and,_-Modern docking area for shrimp boats during inclement weather and off-seasons. See Exhibit "F" for general site location. The design of Site A will consist primarily of two excavated areas totaling approximately 20.6 acres in which finger pi ers will be constructed to provide mooring spaces for approximately 120 boats. The design of the site was designed to accommodate the existence of a natural gas pipeline traversing the 25 acre site in a northeasterly direction. The excavated material (approximately 400,000 cubic yards) will be used to elevate the remaining property with the excess being either-hauled away or spread over adjoining properties with the owners' consent. The larger of the two excavated sites will be dredged during the first phase of construction. This area, which wil 1 include approximately VIII-1 14.6 acres, will include 2,620 feet of bulkheading, 1,175 feet of finger piers, and will be capable of handling 80 boats when completed. . The second site to be excavated is located directly south of the larger mooring area and will be approximately 6.0 acres large. This area will consist of 1,175 feet of timber bulkheading on timber pilings, with one finger pier constructed 225 feet in length, and will be capable of handling 40 boats when completed. See Exhibit "U" for site layout. A hardsurfaced road w:Ul be constructed to afford access-to the site from the parish road located 3,900 feet from the northern portion of the property. Limestone or shell will be. placed on the unexcavated areas to- provide parking and off/on loading areas for boat owners utilizing the mooring area. A six inch water well will be dug to provide water to the site for the washing of boats, fire fighting, and associated uses. Two inch lines will provide water along all finger piers to provide water to boats utilizing the facility. A mechanical sewage treatment plant will be con- structed for the dumping of sewage from fishing boats.- The plant will be located at the entrance to the two sites along the Delcambre Canal. Adequate lighting will also be provided at the mooring site to increase security and allow better conditions for working at night. SITE B - Boston Inland Barge Facility The Twin Parish Port Commission proposes to build a 25 acre inland barge facility along.the Boston Canal. The facility will aid in alleviating the distress of rapid industrial development, due to increasing oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal marshes.@of:Louisiana. The site will also be capable of-handling barge loading facilities to accommodate agricultural produce from Vermilion, Iberia and surrounding parishes. The general location for Site B is approximately 6 miles VIII-2 south of Erath along the Boston Canal. The site is approximately one-half OD mile downstream froii Louisiana State Highway Number 688. See Exhibit "G11 for general site location. The 25 acre site will be subdivided into three 5.5 acre sites (800 feet by 300 feet) and one 7.7 acre site (800 feet by 420 feet). It is estimated that approximately 85 percent of the land will be used for oil- field fabrication and possible agricultural product storage and shipping facilities. The remaining 15 percent will be used for port facilities. The 7.7 acre site presently has a high power line crossing the southern one hundred fifty (150) feet of the property, and therefore,,will.only be utilized as storage areas such as pipe yards, et cetera. No permanent. building or other structure will be allowed in the area. Water and sewerage facilities will be provided by the occupants of the property., -The electical service will be furnished by Gulf States Utilities. Fifty (50) feet of property will be excavated along the entire length of the property to facilitate docking of barges along the industrial areas, while preventing blockage of traffic in the Canal. The approximate 30,000 cubic yards of excavated material wi 11 be spread over the remainder of the property to elevate the site. A timber bulkhead on timber pilings will be constructed along the 1,320 feet of property fronting on the canal. See Exhibit "I" for site layout. A hardsurfaced road will be constructed from the extreme northern edge of the property to the parish road located approximately 2,600 feet from the twenty-five (25) acre site. VIII-3 ABBEVILLE LAKE PE16NEUR ro NEW 18CRIA ERA rH 14 Lo G 51 TE A O@- HENRY (=688 S/ TE @"B :3 wate colt) stal qcp t ON V@ EXHOT E PROPOSED SITE LOCATIONS PORT SITE STUDY TWIN PARISH PORT COMMISSION SCALE OF MILES 2 0 2 4 CANA L < L-GAM nr 0 PROPOSED ACCESS ROAD .0 0 (n Mm o on x 'm -0 U) 0 C) I cc) M rn m C.) c) 0 c cl U) C) 0 Z z T13S-,R4 E LA SrArE HWY. NO. 688 28 27 -3 37 3 4 o 00 EXHIBIT" G PROPOSED SITE LOCATION PORT SITE STUDY TWIN PARISH PORT COMMISSION SCALE OF FEET 500 0 500 1000 -U CD C: z rz 0 fn m Lo W p PARP 0 0 0 0 V) ty) 9 0,4 M6Rf- rrl rn CD rri z rpi ------- 0 Q) m tb cz u C') ra z > NRKING 0 > 00, CD m ;a -0 x -40 rT, C4 r -0 q M 00 0 rn 0 -n PARKING m U) rrl ROAD c M S1 TE 8OUNDARr < Lo > u) z m luo SlrE BOUNDARY TRAGT TRAGT - 2, Q: CA C4 00 rRAGT -3 rRAG7' - 4 ELECrRIC rRANSNISSION LINE E E E SITE 80 UNDA R Y DENOTES PROPOSED TIMBER BULKHEAD BOSTON INLAND BARGE FACILITY EXHIBIT PROPOSED S IT E 6 PORT SITE STUDY TWIN PARISH PORT COMMISSION SCALE OF FEET 200 ]Do 200 400 600 BIBLIOGRAPHY Bovay Engineers, Inc. and Gulf South Research Institute. Master Development Plan Port of Iberia. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: June, 1979. Calhoun, James, ed. Louisiana Almanac - 1979-1980, Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing Company, 1979. Delcambre Board of Aldermen. "History of the Town of Delcambre.11 Delcambre, Louisiana: June, 1979. Deshotels, 0. H. "History of Vermilion Parish." Abbeville Meridional. December 21, 1956. Edwards, Doris Smiley. "History of Vermilion Parish and of Abbeville, Its Parish Seat" in partial fulfillment of the course requirements of Sociology 371. Lafayette, Louisiana: Southwestern Louisiana Institute, May, 1959. Evangeline Economic Development D istrict. Areawide Land Development Plan. Lafayette, Louisiana: February, 1978. Gulf South Research Institute. Economic Analysis of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1978. Heintz., Marty. "Oil-Gas Production Push On." Abbeville Meridional. August, 1981. Iberia Cooperative Extension Service. New Iberia, Louisiana. Iberia Parish Cultural Resources Commission. Iberia Parish Centennial Celebration, 1868-1968. October, 1968. Iberia Parish Development Board in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Public Works. Iberia Parish Resources and Facilities Survey. 1949. Iberia Parish Tax Assessor's Office. New Iberia, Louisiana. Llewelyn-@-Davis Associates. New Iberia/Weeks Island Channel Feasibility Study. 1979. Louisiana Department of Conservation. A List of Louisiana Oil and Gas Fields and Salt Domes. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1976. . Annual Oil and Gas Report. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1955-1976. Louisiana Department of Labor, Office of Employment Security. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Labor, Office of Employment Security. Louisiana State Labor Market Information. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: February.- August, 1981. Louisiana Department of Public Works. Proposed Plan For Supplementing Low Flows in Bayous Teche and Vermilion. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1961. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The Coastal Zone: An Overview of Economic, Recreational and Demographic Patterns.-- Baton_ Rouge, Louisiana: November, 1976. Louisiana State University, Cooperative Extension Service. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Louisiana State University, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. Agricultural Statistics For Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1978. Commercial Bulk Grain Handling Operations in Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1978. Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Corporation. Louisiana Oil and Gas Facts. 1975. National Marine Fishery Service. Fishery Statistics of the United States. Washington, D.C.: 1975-1979. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. National Shoreline Study, Inventory Report Lower Mississippi Region. New Orleans, Louisiana: 1971. Water Resources Development in Louisiana. Vicksburg, Mississippi: 1977. Waterborne Commerce of the United States. Vicksburg, Mississippi: 1976. U.S. Army Engineer District. Final Environmental Statement - Gulf Intracoastal. Waterway; Petit Anse, Tigre and CaElin Bayous; and Bayou Grosse Tete, Louisiana. New Orleans, Louisiana: 1976. U.S. Bureau of the Census. 1978 Census of Agriculture.- Louisiana. Washington, D.C.: June, 1981. 1972. 1972 Census of Mineral Industries. Washington, D.C.:, 1970 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics- Louisiana. Washington, D.C.: August, 1971. 1950 Census of Population, General Social.and Economic Characteristics - Louisiana. Washington, D.C.: 19SO. ,,U.S. Bureau- o-f the Census. 1970 Census of Population, General Social and Economic .....Characteristics - Louisiana. Washington, D.C.: February, 1972. 1980 Census of Population and Housing -Louisiana. (Advance Report). Washington, D.C.: March, 1981. First Count Summary Tape, 1970 as_preared by Louisiana Tech. Ruston, Louisiana. U.S. Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Louisiana Agriculture Experiment Station. General.Soil Map - Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. January, 1970. Soil Survey of Iberia Parish, Louisiana. Alexandria, Louisiana: August, 1978. Vermilion Cooperative Extension Service. Abbeville, Louisiana. Vermilion Parish Tax Assessor's Office. Abbeville, Louisiana. Water Resources Engineers. Mermentau-Vermilion-Teche Basin Wat er Quality Management Plan Phase II, Volume 1. Austin, Texas:-_1980. 9 0 0 4 0, 0 6 0. 0- All . JIMM11111111111h 3 6668 14109 9152