wetlands and saltwater intrusion

 

Written comments accepted until June 6 2025
Comments may be sent via email to the project manager:
shelby.barrett@usace.army.mil

CC: DEQ-WaterQualityCertifications@la.gov

REFERENCE all comments with MVN 2021 0070 ESG in the subject line of your email

Public Notice: MVN 2021 00270 ESG and WQC 240521-01 AI 233717
https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll15/id/7804
Port of New Orleans proposed container terminal in St Bernard Parish

Contact the USACE by June 6 2025 and request a full environmental impact study (EIS) on the potential impacts of the proposed development, including an environmental and economic study on the costs and increased risks from the two dredge areas, effects on revetment and risks of levee scouring, effects on saltwater intrusion, and the impacts to local parish governments and residents for desalination for drinking water.

Dredging exacerbates saltwater intrusion according to the Corps' 2018 study. The Corps "considered the impacts of the most recent deepening project, noted that enlarging the ship channel “causes an increase in the duration and extent of the saltwater intrusion that occurs during these low water events.” The report also acknowledged that more dredging would put the water supply of Plaquemines Parish, which is closer to the Gulf of Mexico than New Orleans, “at risk of saltwater intrusion at the water intakes along the river during low water events.”"  Bloomberg reporting by Laura Bliss and Zahra Hirji October 5, 2023

The people of Plaquemines Parish and of St Bernard Parish have the right to safe drinking water, and the right to be informed of additional risks and costs of saltwater intrusion from the proposed project.

Written comments accepted until June 6 2025
Comments may be sent via email to the project manager:
shelby.barrett@usace.army.mil

CC: DEQ-WaterQualityCertifications@la.gov

REFERENCE all comments with MVN 2021 0070 ESG in the subject line of your email.

The public notice and drawings for the proposed project are available for review at this link. 

https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll15/id/7804

 https://www.mvn.usace.army..mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices/Article/4000723/mvn-2021-00270-esg/  

USACE Wetlands Permit

 

These Wetlands Are Worth Preserving

USACE Wetlands Permit Public Hearing

https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll15/id/9107

https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Public-Notices/Article/4000723/mvn-2021-00270-esg/

‼️ TWO WEEK NOTICE ‼️

Request off, bring your family, let’s fill the room. 

🚨 SHOW UP. SPEAK OUT. 🚨

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is holding a public hearing to decide whether to greenlight the Port’s destructive LIT project. This is our chance to stop it.

Val Riess Rec Complex

Tuesday, May 27

6 – 9 PM

We need you in that room. Show them our community won’t be ignored.

https://www.sostbernard.org/     

Written comments will also be accepted from May 27, 2025 to June 6, 2025

Comments may be sent via e-mail to: shelby.barrett@usace.army.mil. Please include the project number, MVN-2021-00270- ESG, in the subject line of your e-mail

PBF Energy benzene update

 

The EPA's benzene action level is 9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) for the annual average Δc. An exceedance of the action level is not a violation of the regulation, rather it requires the refinery to conduct a root cause analysis and take corrective action to reduce emissions.

PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery annual average remains below the 9 ug/m3 action level, 

however the two week sampling period from 11/26/2024 to 12/10/2024 was reported at 54 ug/m3. 

There is no other publicly available information at this time.

PBF Energy's Chalmette refinery monitoring trends 2021 through 2024

https://concernedcitizensaroundmurphy.blogspot.com/2024/03/pbf-energy-chalmette-finally-improving.html

wetlands worth saving

 

"When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can't eat money" --- Nehiyawak Cree Nation of Canada

these wetlands are worth saving

which America are we building for?

REPUBLISHED FROM JUNE 2024

Investing in America Agenda

Proposed first phases of a federal infrastructure project for a mega container port in Violet, Louisiana constructed around an elementary school , playground, ballpark, and existing residential neighborhoods

Full build-out over one thousand acres forested wetlands previously proposed for community park and natural areas with nature walks

These wetlands are worth preserving

Anyone else wondering if the Biden - Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda was intended to repeat the past mistakes of further marginalizing underserved communities via federal infrastructure projects? 

Were USDOT discretionary grants meant to be the nail in coffin when funding mega container ports in the middle of existing residential districts? next to an elementary school, playground, and ball park?

Should the Investing in America Agenda include threats to local school districts to sell & relocate OR we'll just build around it?

Would any project that literally creates a physical divide and makes a fence line community from surrounding neighborhoods be considered a “shovel-worthy” goal of building an America for All?

Our State of Louisiana and our nation can progress in intermodal terminals without destroying the idyllic, rural-suburban community in Violet. Alternative business models with alternative sites and or the existing state ports working together would provide more efficient, safer means to meet business needs without creating new sacrifice zones.

DEMAND USACE conduct a Full EIS

DEMAND USDOT review its benefit cost analysis (BCA) 

NO PORT New Orleans

SOS Save Our St Bernard

https://www.facebook.com/SoStBernard/

Send Comments to: 

USACE wetlands permit application MVN-2021-00370-EG

Attn Project Manager Angelle V Greer
via email  angelle.v.greer@usace.army.mil 

LDEQ WQC application 240521-01
Attn Project Manager Elizabeth Hill
via email elizabeth.hill@la.gov

U.S. Department of Transportation - OST
Office of the Secretary
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590

Demand a Full EIS and BCA review on the significant adverse impact on the human habitat, including the disparate socio-economic affects and degrading public health and air quality from port pollution

Demand a public hearing and / or public meeting in Q&A format for decision makers to receive more input on the destruction of over one thousand acres forested wetlands and the irreparable damage to the community and our parish as a whole.

REFERENCE all Comments

MVN-2021-0270-EG
WQC 240521-01
OCM CUP20240330
MPDG Discretionary Grant INFRA

Board of Commissioners' Port of New Orleans

SOS Save our St Bernard

sostbernard.org

https://www.facebook.com/SoStBernard/

These wetlands are worth preserving

Transportation Public Meeting

The New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (RPC) Second Public Meeting as part of the Lower St Bernard Parish Roadway Network and Resilience Study
Share Analysis and Draft Study Alternatives

Date: February 4, 2025 
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Format: Open House – attendees are encouraged to arrive anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and will be guided through materials and an exercise to collect feedback.  

Place: South Ballroom, Civic Center 
Address: 3220 Jean Lafitte Parkway, Chalmette, La 70043  
The subject building is ADA accessible. If you would like accessibility or language accommodation, please contact Jared Carter, the Chief Operations Officer at Desire Line, at 504-605-7158 or email TranslationSupport@Desire-Line.com.

The New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (RPC) will host a second public meeting to collect community and stakeholder input on findings and preliminary project alternatives under consideration as part of the Lower St. Bernard Parish, LA Roadway Network and Resilience Study (State Project No. H.015428). It is a "Stage 0" feasibility study aiming to identify future St. Bernard Parish transportation network improvements. The evaluation includes (1) an assessment of an anticipated Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) project network impacts and associated land use changes, (2) an evaluation of transportation related project alternatives to mitigate impacts, and (3) community input through the public engagement process.

USACE Wetlands Permit Public Notice

 

Published Dec. 16, 2024

 Expiration date: 1/15/2025

a

PUBLIC NOTICE AND DRAWINGS

https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll15/id/7804

PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE January 14 2025

email comments to Project Manager Shelby Barrett shelby.barrett@usace.army.mil

REFERENCE Application MVN 2021 00270 ESG

LOCATION OF WORK:  6500 E St Bernard Hwy, Violet Louisiana 

APPLICANT:  Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans

Suggested Comment Form below from SOS Save Our St Bernard Group Forum

https://www.facebook.com/groups/850309112536823

DATE:

United States Army Corps of Engineers

New Orleans District

Regulatory Division 

Eastern Evaluation Branch 

Project Manager: Shelby Barrett 

shelby.barrett@usace.army.mil 

REFERENCE Application #: MVN-2021-00270-ESG

 Please accept this letter as a response to the December 16, 2024 Public Notice related to the 

above permit application.

 Please accept this letter as a formal request for:

 1. a public hearing related to the above permit application;

 2. an extension of the public comment period of at least ninety (90) days; and

 3. the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement.

Given the magnitude and complexity of the wide-spread effects of the proposed Louisiana 

International Terminal, these requests are reasonable accommodations to allow the community to 

be able to fully and meaningfully participate in this process and have their voices heard.

 

Please take note of my formal objection to the permit application referenced above.  

Below are my top five specific objections to the proposed facility:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

There are many more objections to the proposed facility; however, due to time constraints and 

other limitations, I am submitting only my top five objections at this time.

 Sincerely,

                                                                             

(Name and Address)