Spanish Lake Basin independent review remains a mystery

LSU professors hired by The Shaw Group to study the Spanish Lake Basin have completed their work, but the highly sought-after results remain a mystery. Rachael Hunter, a professor in the School of Coast & Environment, confirmed she has completed an independent review of the Spanish Lake watershed water management plan created for the Pontchartrain Levee District. However, she declined to discuss the results, saying, “It is not mine to distribute.” Word is, however, that the professors recommend water be restored to the basin, which contradicts Shaw’s own theories. Both the Louisiana Environmental Action Network and Alligator Bayou Tours—each of whom has sued to have the water restored—are trying to get their hands on the report, but, thus far, to no avail. Alligator Bayou Tours owner Frank Bonifay tells Daily Report that one of the researchers revealed that the independent review recommends that water be left in the bayou. Hunter, however, says the final report to the Pontchartrain Levee Board remains unfinished. She referred questions to Les Waguespack, who is overseeing the project for Shaw and previously has said the firm’s study will advocate draining the basin. Waguespack did not respond to an email query from Daily Report, and Shaw Group spokeswoman Gentry Brann referred questions to the Pontchartrain Levee Board. Efforts to reach executive director Monica Salins, board attorney Dwight Poirrier, board president Steven Wilson and Commissioner Jerry Savoy this morning were unsuccessful. The Spanish Lake Basin is at the center of a fight between Alligator Bayou Tours and several landowners who want to turn their property in the basin into a for-profit wetlands mitigation bank. To read more about the controversy, click here.—Penny Font