In the aftermath of a Category 4 hurricane, a fire at BioLab chemical plant causes a chlorine leak in Westlake, Louisiana, a community surrounded by petro-chemical facilities. Smoke and chemicals flowed over Interstate 10, which was closed. Residents were instructed to turn off the air conditioning if they had electricity, and shelter in place.
https://twitter.com/TheBradSowder/status/1298991534537203718
https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2020/08/27/lake-charles-i-10-bridge-fire-chlorie-leak-sulphur/5644167002/
https://www.kplctv.com/2020/08/27/fire-chemical-plant-westlake/
Earlier this year, Mossville residents petitioned Louisiana DEQ to reject increased emissions from another facility. https://www.humanrightsnetwork.org/press/2020/2/18/concerned-citizens-of-mossville-and-university-network-for-human-rights-urge-louisiana-deq-to-reject-sasols-request-for-increase-in-toxic-emissions-from-lake-charles-facility
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Monday, August 3, 2020
Property Tax Referendum
Early voting ends Saturday for a local referendum to decide the future of
drainage in St. Bernard Parish.
The election day is August 15th.
A yes vote provides for St. Bernard Parish Government to obtain, maintain and improve the pumping stations along the 40 arpent canal and about 60 miles of existing storm drainage canals.
A no vote retains the system "as is" with the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District [LBBLD] (aka Southeast Levee Protection Board).
There are two other property tax mills set to expire this year: The Hospital Service District 8 mills and a LBBLD 4.3 mills. Both will expire this year and are not being renewed. Should the 8 mills for Drainage pass, the property tax bills should remain the same.
St Bernard Parish Government recently settled lawsuits with the State agency(s) over maintaining and operating drainage assets . “This agreement allows for the flood authority to adequately maintain its hurricane protection responsibilities while enabling St. Bernard to assume responsibility for and properly fund its drainage system. https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_bb8fcf38-a8c3-11e9-b73e-671bd5df0ebd.html
Sample Ballot:
The election day is August 15th.
A yes vote provides for St. Bernard Parish Government to obtain, maintain and improve the pumping stations along the 40 arpent canal and about 60 miles of existing storm drainage canals.
A no vote retains the system "as is" with the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District [LBBLD] (aka Southeast Levee Protection Board).
There are two other property tax mills set to expire this year: The Hospital Service District 8 mills and a LBBLD 4.3 mills. Both will expire this year and are not being renewed. Should the 8 mills for Drainage pass, the property tax bills should remain the same.
St Bernard Parish Government recently settled lawsuits with the State agency(s) over maintaining and operating drainage assets . “This agreement allows for the flood authority to adequately maintain its hurricane protection responsibilities while enabling St. Bernard to assume responsibility for and properly fund its drainage system. https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_bb8fcf38-a8c3-11e9-b73e-671bd5df0ebd.html
Sample Ballot:
- Shall the Parish of St. Bernard, State of Louisiana (the "Parish"), levy a special tax of eight (8) mills on all property subject to taxation within the Parish (an estimated $3,053,300 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2021 and ending with the year 2030, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, operating and maintaining drainage canals, pumps, pumping plants, dykes, small levees and other drainage works, including all necessary equipment, within and for the Parish?
Saturday, August 1, 2020
Environmental Justice for All
Environmental Justice for All Act, introduced by U S Representative Grijalva
in February 2020:
H. R. 5986 : . "To restore, reaffirm, and reconcile
environmental justice and civil rights, provide for the establishment of the
Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement,
and for other purposes.”
“It would
also require federal agencies to consider health effects that might compound
over time when making permitting decisions under the federal Clean Air and
Clean Water acts.”
U S Senator Kamala D. Harris is
joining Representative Grijalva, Representative McEachin, and dozens of congressional colleagues,
environmental justice groups, and community leaders in introducing the Environmental
Justice for All Act. https://www.harris.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/EJ%20for%20All%20Act%20-%201%20pager.pdf
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