Chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force said the $2.5 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project will devastate the state’s seafood industry. Mitch Jurisich said the project scheduled to begin in March will put him and others like him out of business permanently.
“Oysters will become extinct due to this Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, and it said that in the economic impact statement as well. It does say that oysters will be severely impacted,” said Jurisich.
Jurisich questions the project’s intent and is crying foul. He said the plan to build twenty-one square miles in the next 50 years but lose 50 square miles makes no sense.
“So why don’t we build 47 square miles to protect the 50 square miles you’re projected to lose? I mean it’s a no-brainer but that doesn’t line people’s pockets, cause if you follow the money trail, you’ll figure it out. People are making big money,” said Jurisich.
And after what happened in 2012 at Mardi Gras Pass, there are fears this project devastate those who make their livelihood along the west bank of Plaquemines and Jefferson Parishes and into Lafourche Parish
With less than two months until the project begins, Jurisich said they plan to file legal action.
“We’re trying to get together right now; we are going to definitely form some sort of lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to try to protect ourselves. There are other options, this is not the only option,” said Jurisich.
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