§838.  Vessels going into Atchafalaya River; discharge of ballast; penalty for unlawful discharge

All vessels which may hereafter come into the Atchafalaya bay, with the intention of going, and do actually go, into the Atchafalaya river, shall not discharge their ballast in the bay, but must discharge their ballast on the banks of the river, or on the banks of some of the bayous connected therewith.  Whoever discharges the ballast of such vessels in the bed of the river or in the waters of the bay, having a depth of less than five fathoms, shall be fined not more than five hundred, nor less than two hundred dollars.