Canoeing Lake Martin of Ascension Parish

CANOE LAKE MARTIN, Ascension Parish

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Jim Bolner, has asked that we visit this lake, which is about a 20-minute paddle from the Amite River.  He's concerned that the Pontchartrain Levee District & Ascension Parish will succeed in getting a wetlands permit from the USCOE & the La. DNR to build a 4.5 mile levee that will destroy the wetlands in this area.  The levee will run through the White Cypress Swamp from the existing Laurel Ridge Levee to just south of Port Vincent.  It  is expected to cost $26.5 million but will benefit only about 280 homes.  The other approximate 3720 homes are now above the 100-year base flood elevation.  Jim is also working with LEAN, Gen. Honore, and the Gulf Restoration Network.  The USCOE has just opened the comment period & Jim will have handouts regarding the comments.

DETAILS:  Meet at 9 a.m. at the boat launch.  The paddle will last 2 hours at the most, but if you paddle to the Amite, more time is needed.  If you need a kayak or a canoe, Jim has four extra kayaks & one two-person canoe.

DIRECTIONS:  Take the Prairieville exit off of I-10 & go left, under the interstate.  Take a right at the first signal (also marked by a Shell Station).  I believe the road is La. 621.  You'll cross a signal at Airline and at the second signal, take a left.  That should be La. 44.  At the next signal, turn right on Germany Road.  After about five miles, you'll cross another signal light.  The road will veer to the left, but you want to go straight & that road becomes Lake Martin Road.  You'll reach the end of the road in less than a mile.  On the left is a gravel road, which you'll take for about 100 yards at which point, it bends to the right.  That's the boat launch, where parking is allowed.

Once you leave the interstate, you should be at the boat launch in about 15 minutes.  If you get lost, Jim's # is (504) 442-0707.

CARPOOL:  Meet at 8:15 a.m. in the Lowe's Parking Lot off of Siegen.

CALL  Gwen at 225-573-1137 for cancellation information, if weather looks bad