Residents Concerned Over Lake D'Arbonne Development, Meeting Called In January
By: Alanna Quillen
Updated: November 8, 2012
FARMERVILLE -- Some new development may be coming to a couple of islands on D'Arbonne Lake in Union Parish.
But first -- there are some hurdles to clear before work can begin.
For years, landowner Jim Farley and his partners have been working on an idea for a huge project.
"A subdivision with a lake in the middle with all lakefront lots," he said.
Up to 100 lots over two islands. In order to make it accessible, Farley must build something to connect to the islands.
Some nearby residents, like Steve Danna, says building a road through to the island will block the flow of water and cause problems around their homes, such as the growth of invasive plants.
"Every time we get a rise -- get a big current through there -- that's just natural flow of the lake. A road, in turn, will stop that flow, cause a lot of silt -- a grass problem, and we're gonna have a problem," he said. "My answer to the whole story is I don't care what they do, as long as they build a bridge across it."
But those behind the project feel they have no other option at this time.
"If I build a bridge, I've got liability forever and ever," Farley said. "If the state's not gonna take it, police jury won't take it, I can't afford that liability."
But if given the proper contract, he says he wouldn't mind building a bridge.
"I have no problem if the agencies wants to put one in, that's great," Farley said.
Because of the concerns surrounding the connecting road, D'Arbonne Lake Board of Commissioners called a public hearing with the Army Corps of Engineers, expected to take place in Farmerville in January.
"Our big issue is to make sure the corps doesn't approve something without giving people the chance to voice their opinion," said Steve Cagle, vice president of the Board of Commissioners.
The public can meet to address concerns and get more information on this project as it moves forward.
"Nobody wants to kill a project, just want the project done correctly," Cagle said, adding, "Fifty or sixty years ago, people could build anywhere, but now if something is built, it's got to be above 93 feet elevation."
To address the concern of elevation on the islands, Farley says he plans to build a lake in the middle of the largest island -- expanding the lake by 15 feet -- and use the dirt from that to build up the land.
He's also hoping that the development will help the local economy, make the property more valuable around the lake, and bring more people to the lake that doesn't have the opportunity to move there now.
"They are going to live here, spend money here, send children to school here," Farley said.
He says some of what the corps is looking into is how much of the wetlands are affected -- he's told his project will affect about 1 acre of wetlands. He says the road won't have affect on home fronts.
"I've concurred with every state law, every federal law. I haven't circumvented anybody," he said.
Meanwhile, residents have even started a petition against the building of a road.
"The whole nut in the shell is a bridge solves the whole problem," Danna said.
Danna has lived and fished around Lake D'Arbonne for much of his life, and plans to follow through with every meeting until his questions and concerns are answered.
"I don't want to stop any kind of project, anything that will help this lake grow, I'm with it 100 percent," he said. "Anything that's detrimental to the lake, I'm against it and will be 'til I die."
But first -- there are some hurdles to clear before work can begin.
For years, landowner Jim Farley and his partners have been working on an idea for a huge project.
"A subdivision with a lake in the middle with all lakefront lots," he said.
Up to 100 lots over two islands. In order to make it accessible, Farley must build something to connect to the islands.
Some nearby residents, like Steve Danna, says building a road through to the island will block the flow of water and cause problems around their homes, such as the growth of invasive plants.
"Every time we get a rise -- get a big current through there -- that's just natural flow of the lake. A road, in turn, will stop that flow, cause a lot of silt -- a grass problem, and we're gonna have a problem," he said. "My answer to the whole story is I don't care what they do, as long as they build a bridge across it."
But those behind the project feel they have no other option at this time.
"If I build a bridge, I've got liability forever and ever," Farley said. "If the state's not gonna take it, police jury won't take it, I can't afford that liability."
But if given the proper contract, he says he wouldn't mind building a bridge.
"I have no problem if the agencies wants to put one in, that's great," Farley said.
Because of the concerns surrounding the connecting road, D'Arbonne Lake Board of Commissioners called a public hearing with the Army Corps of Engineers, expected to take place in Farmerville in January.
"Our big issue is to make sure the corps doesn't approve something without giving people the chance to voice their opinion," said Steve Cagle, vice president of the Board of Commissioners.
The public can meet to address concerns and get more information on this project as it moves forward.
"Nobody wants to kill a project, just want the project done correctly," Cagle said, adding, "Fifty or sixty years ago, people could build anywhere, but now if something is built, it's got to be above 93 feet elevation."
To address the concern of elevation on the islands, Farley says he plans to build a lake in the middle of the largest island -- expanding the lake by 15 feet -- and use the dirt from that to build up the land.
He's also hoping that the development will help the local economy, make the property more valuable around the lake, and bring more people to the lake that doesn't have the opportunity to move there now.
"They are going to live here, spend money here, send children to school here," Farley said.
He says some of what the corps is looking into is how much of the wetlands are affected -- he's told his project will affect about 1 acre of wetlands. He says the road won't have affect on home fronts.
"I've concurred with every state law, every federal law. I haven't circumvented anybody," he said.
Meanwhile, residents have even started a petition against the building of a road.
"The whole nut in the shell is a bridge solves the whole problem," Danna said.
Danna has lived and fished around Lake D'Arbonne for much of his life, and plans to follow through with every meeting until his questions and concerns are answered.
"I don't want to stop any kind of project, anything that will help this lake grow, I'm with it 100 percent," he said. "Anything that's detrimental to the lake, I'm against it and will be 'til I die."
