LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Residents living near the Vermilion River are concerned after a large amount of garbage and debris has piled up in recent weeks.

No dumping and “please do not litter” signs line the river but their pleas appear to go unnoticed, as ice chests, beer bottles and basketballs pile up at the boom in Bayou Fusilier.

“It’s unsightly and it’s unsanitary but that’s the least of my concerns. It’s very very harmful to the environment. It’s very very harmful to wildlife,” Arnaudville resident Holly Green said.

Green has lived in the Arnaudville area for more than 30 years and vividly recalls the 2016 flood that trapped her inside for a week.

She believes another similar disaster mixed with the trash in the bayou could be detrimental for people living along the river.

“The more we have trash and other items that shouldn’t be here blocking our waterways it lessens their ability to drain,” Green said.

Another resident says he fishes there with his family and often catches more cans than catfish.

Bayou Vermilion District is responsible for the upkeep of the Vermilion and says this boom in one of its tributaries is just one of the ways they keep trash and debris from entering the river.

In a statement, officials said, “the boom at this location manages trash flowing from Carencro, making removal easier.”

The problem is the trash and debris haven’t been removed in weeks, residents say. 

BVD officials say because of consistent recent rainfall, it’s unsafe for maintenance crews while the river is above flood stage.

While they wait for the water to recede, you can do your part by putting your trash where it belongs.

BVD adds when the weather does permit, crews are on the river daily removing large debris and trash in the bayou.