ST. MARTIN — The Louisiana Supreme Court has denied a request from St. Martin Parish to review a decision made to keep a business open on Lake Martin.
St. Martin Parish Council had requested a review of the ruling The Third Circuit Court of Appeal made in favor of Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours and the Wharf on Lake Martin. The Third Circuit Court of Appeal has ruled 3-2 in favor of a Lake Martin swamp tour and shop owner upholding a decision from a lower court allowing him to stay in business over the objections of the St. Martin Parish Government.
In September, the council asked the Supreme Court to review the ruling. Today, the high court declined that request.
Parish President Chester Cedars said the parish "will proceed accordingly."
Cedars said that, before this writ application was filed, five judges had reviewed this situation and were split in their rulings, which he took to mean that the parish was "duty bound" to keep litigating the issue.
"Now, we will have to navigate the situation as best we can," he said. "Our focus now will be directed soley on re-opening that lake for public use as quickly as we can."
Last year, 16th Judicial District Judge Keith Comeaux denied a petition for injunctive relief filed against Bryan Champagne and his two businesses - Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours and the Wharf on Lake Martin - both of
which are located in Breaux Bridge along the shores of Lake Martin.
