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Barge Removal Started on False River

NEW ROADS, LA Following a 2 On Your Side report, a crew made the first steps to remove a barge from False River. The barge floated onto a woman's property when False River was high in August during the flood. It then tipped over her bulkhead into the water, where it's been ever since.
Baton Rouge company Coastal Bridge has begun dismantling the barge.
Noel Loftus lives along False River. The bottom of the barge faces the back of her home, blocking her view of the water and wildlife. "I love birds so I'm anxious to see that again," she said.
Throughout the past few months, Loftus said she made multiple calls to different agencies about getting help to remove the barge, including Wildlife and Fisheries. She says many agencies didn't call her back.
About two weeks ago, 2 On Your Side aired Loftus' story and called Mayor Robert Myer who agreed something needed to be done.
"It's not a pretty sight," said Myer.
He connected the barge owner with Loftus and all parties agreed to work together to remove the barge. Myer says because False River is state property, not city the barge owner had to sign over ownership. Myer says he called a couple of agencies to help assist with the barge removal and Coastal Bridge responded.
"They were ready, willing and able to help in this community," said Myer.
Coastal Bridge was working with a crew to remove the pontoon that's sticking out of the water. The crew will dismantle the barge in pieces and haul them to the other side of False River where they will be cut into pieces and recycled.