Community Orchard

 Rediscover District C  is a residents' group which sponsors community cleanup, beautification projects, and even block parties on concrete slabs left from demolished homes. The block parties were called S.L.A.B. Fest, an acronym for "Support Landscaping and Beautification".

Now that most slabs are removed, RDC is sponsoring a Community Orchard on a couple of LLT Properties. Other associations are planning neighborhood playgrounds or neighborhood open green space.

Pocket Parks and Community Gardens

St. Bernard Parish Housing, Redevelopment, and Quality of Life Commission's Pocket Parks and Community Gardens

Civic Assocations may enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with SBPG HRQL Commission to use LLT/LRA properties for pocket parks and community gardens.  LLT/LRA properties are land lots sold to the State of Louisiana through the Federal Road Home Program.  LLT lots which have not been distributed through the "lot next door" program are now eligible for neighborhood use.

Neighborhood Associations must have a certificate of good standing from the Louisiana Secretary of State and submit an application, including a site plan and timeline.  

Check here for eligible lots  Use the Building Footprints under Map Contents to determine LLT properties.

River's effect on public health

Rising river effect on public health includes variances allowed by the Louisiana DEQ for petroleum coke in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

 ExxonMobil Chalmette refinery is storing petroleum coke in a blighted, open roof coke barn,
“on or about May 13, 2011, the Respondent contacted the Department by telephone to inform the Department of the need to use the No. 1 Coker Coke Barn........”

 and ExxonMobil Chalmette has applied for another variance to include flexibility in storage tanks and a variance for flaring, both due to the high river levels.



Rain CII is a coke plant adjacent to ExxonMobil Chalmette.  Rain CII has applied for a variance for an additional 150 hours of pollution control bypass in order to increase operations because of the river's effect on other coke plants.

Rain CII also seeks a regulatory permit for outside storage of petroleum coke; this request seems unrelated to the rising rivers levels.

Rain CII was recently placed under a Louisiana DEQ compliance order which allows 500 hours total pollution bypass operations; the variance allows an additional 150 hours bypass.

Both ExxonMobil Chalmette and adjacent Rain CII coke plant are located in Chalmette Vista.  The CH_VISTA air monitor demonstrates St. Bernard Parish  air quality frequently exceeds the new EPA one-hour health sulfur dioxide standard of 75 ppb, often times measuring over 200 ppb.  CH_VISTA air monitor also demonstrates a concern for particulate matter in the community.  The totality of emissions in this corridor has been reported to be unbearable at times.  The adjacent port and terminals recently began storing huge, uncovered piles of coal and limestone.  The poor zoning situation places all these emissions, dust and particulate matter within close proximity of residential neighborhoods.

Industries located along the river should be prepared for high river levels and plan for such occurrences, instead of permitted variances at the cost of public health.  Industry should be a good corporate citizen and realize they must do more to protect public health in their communities.

Murphy Oil Title V application V6

Murphy Oil Meraux Title V application V6 for minor modification 
(Submitted May 2011; Public Notice and Public Comment Period pending)


.......to revise the operating rate of the cooling tower...In January 2010, the feed pump to the cooling tower was modified to include a larger impeller to accommodate the increase in cooling demand as a result of the BenFree Unit project.......The increase in the operating rate at the cooling tower has also been evaluated for applicability to NSR in the context of the BenFree Unit....the overall project emissions increase..from the cooling tower is revised...The revised project emissions increase(s)..are less than the NSR significant emission rates, therefore the BenFree Unit project is not subject to PSD review when using this updated information........ (see Citizen's Petition to EPA to Veto the BenFree Unit Air Permit "V5" and Citizen's enforcement suit to compel EPA to respond to petition )

...........to delete one compressor engine, reinstate two existing compressor engines, incorporate an existing compressor previously authorized (as an emergency backup compressor), revise the inventory information and identification for an existing tank, delete a proposed tank...reinstate an existing tank, and revise the maximum operating rate for the cooling tower......

.........correct a prior permitting error and reconcile the maximum operating rates by adding two......compressor engines back into the permit........ These engines were inadvertently deleted from the permit as part of a prior modification permitting the Clean Fuels Phase II project.... ( Title V air permit "V2"   issued November 2007) ) (Public Hearing Transcript  )

...... these inadvertently deleted compressors which are expected to be replaced with electric compressors under the recent EPA federal consent decree

Oral History and Commercial Fishers Stories

Making the Gulf Coast Whole Again: 

June 2, 2011  Testimony of Parish President Taffaro  contains an end segment of commercial fishers stories and other oral history of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

pedestrian friendly

Sidewalks.  Removed under a questionable resolution passed in an equally questionable amended council agenda, the sidewalks removed by Murphy Oil are being replaced by FEMA road work projects.  The sidewalks were removed by Murphy Oil during demolition of the houses sold to the refinery through the former voluntary buyup program.

This means our kids will have a safer place to ride bikes and walk this summer; a safe place to play other than the streets. 

Interesting enough, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prohibits this type of contruction within 1,500 feet of the Mississippi River Levee when the water levels are above 11 feet.  With the  rising Mississippi River, the New Orleans Carrolton Flood Gage measures just around 17 feet and is expected to remain at high levels through the month of June 2011.

ExxonMobil Coke Barn

Pictured above in January 2011

The rising Mississippi River levels have affected barge traffic.  Among the many effects on industry along the river, one refinery in Chalmette is now using its old, dilapidated petroleum coke barn for storage. Although Louisiana DEQ is allowing use of the open air coke barn, a compliance order was issued earlier this month ordering the roof repairs within six (6) months. Residents are concerned about the health effects of the toxic dust in their lungs and are frustrated with lack of local enforcement.

Pictured below in February 2011

Perhaps you've noticed the blight and disrepair to the ExxonMobil coke barn on St Bernard Hwy.

ExxonMobil is said to be the richest corporation on the planet Earth, yet they disrespect our community.

 At first, ExxonMobil claimed the new business model  did not include the coke barn, but wanted to keep the Title V air permit current for the coke barn in the event economic conditions changed.  Louisiana DEQ agreed and allowed the coke barn to continue to collapse while still under the regulatory permit.  It didnot seem that local government took action.

Several Citizens have been concerned  about the dilapidated condition of the ExxonMobil coke barn and the threat to life and property should a wind storm carry a roof panel into adjacent neighborhoods. Not to mention the petroleum coke dust  and its affect to our lungs.  Although ExxonMobil claimed the coke barn was emptied , the coke dust would remain unless every nook and cranny were washed and wiped down.

Today, this May 13 2011 document posted to the LDEQ EDMS under AI # 1376.

  ExxonMobil in Chalmette is now using the coke barn due to barge traffic issues with the rising Mississippi River. LDEQ has issued a compliance order ordering repair of the roof within six (6) months. ...... SIX MONTHS of lung damage in the opinion of residents.

If local ordinances do not provide for protection of health and safety from industrial companies, new legislation should be written that will provide protection.

Pictured below May 2011

Another variance granted by Louisiana DEQ due to the rising river and potential for flooding includes flexibility in storage tanks and a variance for flaring:

http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=7947393&ob=yes&child=yes

http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=7950757&ob=yes&child=yes