CH_VISTA exceeds health standards again for sulfur dioxide
Today May 9 2011 the sulfur dioxide readings at CH_VISTA are once again over the EPA one-hour health standard of 75 ppb.
Starting with a hydrogen sulfide spike of 9 ppb at 2 am, the sulfur dioxide rose to 73.6 ppb at 4am and peaked at 157.8 ppb and 151.7 ppb at 8am and 9am. The sulfur dioxide readings continued with 75.7 ppb at 11am and 83.2 and 84.1 at 4pm and 5pm. The air monitor readings peaked at 217.8 ppb sulfur dioxide at 9pm and 102.3 ppb at 11pm
This ambient air monitor is located in Chalmette Vista neighborhood's Bluebird Park, which is in close proximity to the Chalmette Elementary School.
These readings are accessible from http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/ the La DEQ website: Use the right hand column ON AIR Current AQI data menu, seltect "site data" on the far right of the upper menu and select "CH_VISTA" and today's date. Press submit. also at this link
http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/DIVISIONS/Assessment/AirFieldServices/AmbientAirMonitoringProgram/AirMonitoringData.aspx
On the chart, add two hours to the displayed time in order to obtain the correct time. This is due to daylight savings time and the time configuration of the data loggers that poll each air monitor.
Smell something stinky? Contact La DEQ. Use the upper menu on the home page and select online services, select online reports and citizen reports. Or email SPOC at LA.GOV
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
record level of waters expected
Corps discusses opening Morganza Spillway video:
http://www.theadvertiser.com/videonetwork/934139674001/Corps-discusses-opening-Morganza-Spillway
Inundation Map
http://www.theadvertiser.com/videonetwork/934139674001/Corps-discusses-opening-Morganza-Spillway
Inundation Map
Saturday, May 7, 2011
dare to dance the tides
This time last year our community was effected by the tragic wellhead explosion on the BP rig and the subsequent oil gusher. To help keep the oil at bay, the freshwater diversion at Violet Canal was opened at an increased rate; the diversion helped keep the oil out of some estuaries, but the change in salinity effected others.
Now, the Mississippi River is rising," just like she used to do ".
Yet this year the river is challenging all communities along her banks and will soon test the old river structure north of Baton Rouge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old_River_Control_Structure_Complex.jpg
http://www.johnweeks.com/river_mississippi/pages/lmiss23.html
The State of Louisiana has notified residents along the Morganza River ~ Spillway to prepare to evacuate as the state plans to open the Marganza Floodway for the first time since 1973.
http://media.nola.com/news_impact/other/NO_District_Inundation_Spring_06_May_2011_time1900_OPEN_v1.pdf
http://www.wafb.com/story/14592796/corps-morganza-could-send-5-to-25-feet-of-water
The Mississippi River will also be diverted through another floodway, the Bonnie Carrie Spillway, which will carry the river into the Lake Pontchartrain, Lakes Catherine and Borgne, and out into the Gulf of Mexico. Essentially, the fresh waters of the Mississippi River will replace the brackish lake waters, effecting the estuaries once again this year.
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/bcarre/missriver.asp
In St Bernard Parish, adjacent to the ExxonMobil refinery, the Chalmette Ferry terminal has noted levee seepage and the Army Corps and local officials are working today to address the river seepage with sand berms. Local news media have reported river level issues at Domino Sugars refinery in Arabi, as one would expect any of the various industries along the river to have particular challenges with the rising river levels' effects on the docks and facilities.
The flood gage upriver from Chalmette is the Carrollton (New Orleans) flood gage, which measures 15.63 feet today. Flood level at Carrollton is 17 feet and the levees are constructed to protect up to a 20 foot flood range; the Mississippi River is expected to crest at 19.5 feet May 22nd and remain at high levels for three weeks. The 19.5 foot crest is based on the opening of the Bonnie Carrie; for further protection, the Army Corps plans to open the Morganza Floodway as well.
http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/new/layout.cfm
select water levels by "New Orleans District" and the district basin "Mississippi River & Passes" .
It's going to get very interesting, very soon.
Now, the Mississippi River is rising," just like she used to do ".
Yet this year the river is challenging all communities along her banks and will soon test the old river structure north of Baton Rouge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old_River_Control_Structure_Complex.jpg
http://www.johnweeks.com/river_mississippi/pages/lmiss23.html
The State of Louisiana has notified residents along the Morganza River ~ Spillway to prepare to evacuate as the state plans to open the Marganza Floodway for the first time since 1973.
http://media.nola.com/news_impact/other/NO_District_Inundation_Spring_06_May_2011_time1900_OPEN_v1.pdf
http://www.wafb.com/story/14592796/corps-morganza-could-send-5-to-25-feet-of-water
The Mississippi River will also be diverted through another floodway, the Bonnie Carrie Spillway, which will carry the river into the Lake Pontchartrain, Lakes Catherine and Borgne, and out into the Gulf of Mexico. Essentially, the fresh waters of the Mississippi River will replace the brackish lake waters, effecting the estuaries once again this year.
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/bcarre/missriver.asp
In St Bernard Parish, adjacent to the ExxonMobil refinery, the Chalmette Ferry terminal has noted levee seepage and the Army Corps and local officials are working today to address the river seepage with sand berms. Local news media have reported river level issues at Domino Sugars refinery in Arabi, as one would expect any of the various industries along the river to have particular challenges with the rising river levels' effects on the docks and facilities.
The flood gage upriver from Chalmette is the Carrollton (New Orleans) flood gage, which measures 15.63 feet today. Flood level at Carrollton is 17 feet and the levees are constructed to protect up to a 20 foot flood range; the Mississippi River is expected to crest at 19.5 feet May 22nd and remain at high levels for three weeks. The 19.5 foot crest is based on the opening of the Bonnie Carrie; for further protection, the Army Corps plans to open the Morganza Floodway as well.
http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/new/layout.cfm
select water levels by "New Orleans District" and the district basin "Mississippi River & Passes" .
It's going to get very interesting, very soon.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Chalmette Vista Sulfur readings exceed health standards
Chalmette Vista ambient air monitor readings exceed SO2 health standards for three consecutive days.
In late April 2011, sulfur dioxide readings at the Chalmette Vista ambient air monitoring site exceeded the one-hour health standard of 75 ppb with the highest reading of 254 ppb on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
Sulfur dioxide readings on Monday and Tuesday, April 25 and April 26, 2011, also reached the 200 ppb level. The US EPA set the one-hour health standard for SO2 at 75 ppb to protect public health.
The ambient air monitoring data is accessible at this link, under site data, select CH_VISTA
http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/DIVISIONS/Assessment/AirFieldServices/AmbientAirMonitoringProgram/AirMonitoringData.aspx
In late April 2011, sulfur dioxide readings at the Chalmette Vista ambient air monitoring site exceeded the one-hour health standard of 75 ppb with the highest reading of 254 ppb on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
Sulfur dioxide readings on Monday and Tuesday, April 25 and April 26, 2011, also reached the 200 ppb level. The US EPA set the one-hour health standard for SO2 at 75 ppb to protect public health.
The ambient air monitoring data is accessible at this link, under site data, select CH_VISTA
http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/DIVISIONS/Assessment/AirFieldServices/AmbientAirMonitoringProgram/AirMonitoringData.aspx
Monday, April 18, 2011
Make it Right
[StBernard] One Year Later: St. Bernard Parish Refuses to Bend to BP Oil
We learned in Katrina to take a pro-active approach to disaster response,” Taffaro said. “Our fishermen, our business owners, our residents, and our public officials acted swiftly in our fight to protect our coast and the unique Gulf seafood industry. Admittedly we have a long way to go, and we will not rest until we have ensured that BP and all responsible parties, ‘Make it right.’”
Saturday, April 16, 2011
45 days until Hurricane Season
April 16 2011
45 days until Hurricane Season
IS YOUR REFINERY READY?
April and May typical rain events have rainfall upwards to 10 and 12 inches. Oil refineries are usually required to segregate oily waste water treatment from storm water basins. Additionally, the storm water basins generally require a spill control and prevention plan which include berms.
As recently as December 2009, a parish councilman reported receiving an email which indicated Murphy Oil was in the process of writing procedures for high water events; procedures one would expect already existed.
Murphy Oil's Meraux refinery solid waste permit for the secondary storm basins is now under administrative review .
The community expects improvements for storm water capacity; improvements which prohibit use of neighborhood canals as an emergency discharge. The same improvements are expected by the community for the water discharge permit, also under review along with April 11 2011 revised application.
The state's recent settlement with Murphy Oil for alleged water violations did not require any improvements. The EPA's recent consent decree requires Murphy Oil improve its storm water management during rain events, but is vague as to how this will be achieved. . .
Problems arise even before Hurricane Katrina, when 5.40 million gallons of waste water and storm water were discharged into the neighborhood during a waste water treatment plant bypass in July 2005. The Louisiana DEQ's public service announcement reminds residents that just one gallon of motor oil from the oil change of a vehicle will pollute a million gallons of water. How much water in the estuary of the central wetlands is contaminated?
.
June 2009 rain event shown in video around the 4:14 mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w34l7_bpkFY
.Today's weather forecast: Cloudy, with a chance of oil
.
45 days until Hurricane Season
IS YOUR REFINERY READY?
April and May typical rain events have rainfall upwards to 10 and 12 inches. Oil refineries are usually required to segregate oily waste water treatment from storm water basins. Additionally, the storm water basins generally require a spill control and prevention plan which include berms.
As recently as December 2009, a parish councilman reported receiving an email which indicated Murphy Oil was in the process of writing procedures for high water events; procedures one would expect already existed.
Murphy Oil's Meraux refinery solid waste permit for the secondary storm basins is now under administrative review .
The community expects improvements for storm water capacity; improvements which prohibit use of neighborhood canals as an emergency discharge. The same improvements are expected by the community for the water discharge permit, also under review along with April 11 2011 revised application.
The state's recent settlement with Murphy Oil for alleged water violations did not require any improvements. The EPA's recent consent decree requires Murphy Oil improve its storm water management during rain events, but is vague as to how this will be achieved. . .
Problems arise even before Hurricane Katrina, when 5.40 million gallons of waste water and storm water were discharged into the neighborhood during a waste water treatment plant bypass in July 2005. The Louisiana DEQ's public service announcement reminds residents that just one gallon of motor oil from the oil change of a vehicle will pollute a million gallons of water. How much water in the estuary of the central wetlands is contaminated?
June 2009 rain event shown in video around the 4:14 mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w34l7_bpkFY
.Today's weather forecast: Cloudy, with a chance of oil
.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Enough is Enough
Mallard Duck Ballad
/Other/Illegal-wetland-distruction/
There is a systemic problem with those who are supposed to protect our environment. Whether or not the source is an oil refinery or a construction site, the state inspector states there is no problem and that the agency doesnot handle parish drainage issues. The residents are not included in the decision making process and in the meanwhile, the water is polluted.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w34l7_bpkFY .June 2009 rain event in Southeast Louisiana causes refinery to flood. (around 4:14 mark) "no problem areas were found with the facility. No further action"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
