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Started By
Message
Catahoula Lake could become off limits to duck hunters
Posted on 12/28/18 at 3:59 pm
Posted on 12/28/18 at 3:59 pm
KALB
quote:
It has been a little known controversy for around 11 years. Catahoula Lake, a popular duck hunting and fishing spot in Cenla, may become off limits.
In 2006, Steve and Era Crooks filed a class action lawsuit against the state of Louisiana that said the landowners surrounding the lake are actually owners of the lake.
More than a year ago in the 9th JDC in Rapides Parisht, Ad-hoc Judge James Boddie ruled in favor of the Crooks' in "Crooks vs State” saying the state had unlawfully expropriated the river banks, owing the landowners $38 million in damages as well as $4.5 million in unpaid oil and gas royalties, after oil drilling has been taking place in the area throughout the years.
More than a year later, the Third Circuit Court of Appeal agree with the lower court that Catahoula Lake is private land. The Third Circuit did make one exception by lowering attorney fees for the state.
It all comes down to what is that body of water. If it's defined as a lake, it's state property and stays public. If it's deemed a river, then it's private property. The Third Circuit ruled that it's legally a river. Which will put it in the hands of the private landowners.
16
Posted on 12/28/18 at 4:17 pm to rt3
I’m not versed in this at all but would have guessed the opposite: rivers public and lakes potentially private.
Posted on 12/28/18 at 4:20 pm to bobdylan
It’s not the fact that the river is public, they flood it to create the lake thereby flooding private property
This post was edited on 12/28/18 at 5:12 pm
Posted on 12/28/18 at 4:23 pm to rt3
If I own land behind the levee along the miss river, I own the river?!??
Motherfricking tug boat mafia owes me some rent.
Motherfricking tug boat mafia owes me some rent.
This post was edited on 12/28/18 at 5:44 pm
Posted on 12/28/18 at 4:28 pm to rt3
Dis' gone be good. Catahoula is already the wild west of duck hunting. People burning blinds, stealing decoys, fights over "family blinds". I'd love to see some of their reactions when they learn they can't hunt there anymore.
Posted on 12/28/18 at 4:48 pm to Jack Daniel
"It all comes down to what is that body of water. If it's defined as a lake, it's state property and stays public. If it's deemed a river, then it's private property. The Third Circuit ruled that it's legally a river. Which will put it in the hands of the private landowners."
The state could appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court, but it's unknown right now if it plans to, or if the Supreme Court will accept the case.
This ruling is going to likely be limited to water bodies with the similar geologic trait of being non-permanent and seasonally flooded, while permanent water bodies will likely continue to be analyzed under the Placid factors.
This means the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Fish & Wildlife Service will no longer manage the largest freshwater Lake in Louisiana and they will remove the Jonesville Lock & Dam water control structures which have blocked flow to the lake which has allowed the grasses to grow which attract the ducks in the first place because they don't want the liability in the event that a flood takes place.
This post was edited on 12/28/18 at 4:50 pm
Posted on 12/28/18 at 4:57 pm to rt3
The landowners are drooling at the thought of leasing out blinds and making money but once they state has no control, it’ll stay a river with no duck hunting except occasional rain flood.
Posted on 12/28/18 at 5:03 pm to headedwest21
So, my in-laws that live on the Tennessee River are owed reparations by the government?
Hell
Yes...
Hell
Yes...
Posted on 12/28/18 at 5:15 pm to bbvdd
quote:
So, my in-laws that live on the Tennessee River are owed reparations by the government?
Unique situation. Not sure people understand
Posted on 12/28/18 at 5:19 pm to jorconalx
So, the Corp or Engineers created a lake by eminent domain just like the Tennessee river?
Posted on 12/28/18 at 5:24 pm to headedwest21
quote:
The landowners are drooling at the thought of leasing out blinds and making money but once they state has no control, it’ll stay a river with no duck hunting except occasional rain flood.
I agree the days of Catahoula being a duck hunting mecca will soon be coming to an end but these owners don't care about the duck hunting as much as they care about the oil & gas revenues they will be getting. Black Lake & Lake Bistineau will be two "rivers" to watch next with this ruling.
Posted on 12/28/18 at 5:59 pm to MrLSU
The Black Lake-Saline Lake complex in Winn and Natchitoches Parish, too.
Posted on 12/28/18 at 6:12 pm to rt3
quote:I like to see this pointed out in either opinion. If it was a taking, and was took, then it's no longer private.
the Third Circuit Court of Appeal agree with the lower court that Catahoula Lake is private land
Posted on 12/28/18 at 6:38 pm to Drunken Crawfish
quote:
People burning blinds, stealing decoys, fights over "family blinds"
Have witnessed all of these things first hand on Catahoula. That place used to be awesome back in late 90’s.
Posted on 12/28/18 at 7:13 pm to Jim Rockford
Duck hunting is piss poor on black lake and saline
Posted on 12/28/18 at 7:43 pm to rt3
Curious, when were the control structures made and what the landowners’ actions were then?
Posted on 12/28/18 at 8:03 pm to rt3
quote:
owing the landowners $38 million in damages as well as $4.5 million in unpaid oil and gas royalties
Of which $0 will be paid.
Posted on 12/28/18 at 9:00 pm to Mr Wonderful
These people may not know what they are asking for. In 20 years when they get any kind of payout it will be a fraction of the judgment. And they just kicked the state out of maintaining flood control, roads, infrastructure and maybe even boat ramps. enforcement of creel limits hell who knows
So now instead of fighting over blinds with Johnny public you are now fighting with the ole man Jim Bobs nephew who thinks that he is the sole landowner.
I’m not a fan of the State by any means but I have seen private lake type situations on a much smaller scale deteriorate into some pretty bad disputes. All in the name of a damn fish or a shitty tasting bird.
So now instead of fighting over blinds with Johnny public you are now fighting with the ole man Jim Bobs nephew who thinks that he is the sole landowner.
I’m not a fan of the State by any means but I have seen private lake type situations on a much smaller scale deteriorate into some pretty bad disputes. All in the name of a damn fish or a shitty tasting bird.
Posted on 12/28/18 at 9:21 pm to rt3
Posted on 12/28/18 at 9:47 pm to jimbeam
Now the landowners gotta try to sue one another to establish ownership.
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