Concerned Citizens Around Murphy

Saturday, May 14, 2022

benzene exposure

Louisiana refineries measured excessively high levels of cancer-causing chemical in 2021

Mark Schleifstein
Nola.com The New Orleans Advocate

https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_abc6493a-d230-11ec-b70b-33d4441c4873.html
uthor email

Valero’s St. Charles refinery was ranked fourth on the list of 12 highest emitters, with 14.1 micrograms per cubic meter in 2021. And at least one fenceline monitor measured a two-week average concentration greater than 29 micrograms per cubic meter, the level considered acute. But more problematic was an average reading of 300 micrograms per cubic meter during the two-week monitoring period that ended on Sept. 6, 2021, which was after Hurricane Ida disrupted the plant’s operations.

“That’s very close to the level where the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says you should be wearing respirators,” Schaeffer said. “And that’s the kind of exposure information that needs to get out quickly. The requirement to fix these kinds of problems should apply not just to the long-term averages, but to this kind of short-term spike that can be very dangerous.”

Monday, May 9, 2022

Port of New Orleans proposal

Perks of Power

1,100 forested acres equates to about 445 hectares

It is estimated that forests soak up about 20 tons of CO2 per hectare per year and do so for 20+ years

445 hectares would absorb about 8,900 tons CO2 per year for 20+ years

how many hectares would be needed in Violet to absorb the carbon emissions from PONO's proposal? the carbon emissions from all the concrete required for PONO's proposal and the carbon emissions for all the concrete required for PONO's magical raised road and rail transecting Bayou Bienvenue and the Central Wetlands? AND additional hectares to replace the removal of the 445 hectares?

The USACE has another commenting period on this massive proposal.

Comments and requests for public hearing are due before June 8 2022

Here's how to submit comments on the PONO Proposal

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Port of New Orleans seeks to expand in St Tammany

Port of New Orleans seeks to make St Tammany Community the Industrial Hub of the Port of New Orleans.

Terri Lewis Stevens Proponent of Better Government explains where all the value added profit centers from the Port of New Orleans' Violet proposal will land; and its not in Violet, nor St Bernard Parish. "Classic Bait and Switch from Bedroom Community to Industrial Hub of the Port of New Orleans! "

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1990704464444353&id=478645105650304

St. Tammany, A Bedroom Community to Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics HUB? NOTE: The PURPLE...Council Meeting, Thursday, May 5, 6PM Koop Drive, Mandeville!!

Copied and Pasted from Facebook

Terri Lewis Stevens - Proponent of Better Government

If it's Wednesday, there must be newly discovered info that St. Tammany Parish Govt. has screwed us somehow...Classic Bait and Switch from Bedroom Community to Industrial Hub of the Port of New Orleans! (Think of the area below the high-rise in NOLA East....)

1-Today's adventure starts with the January 2021 issuance of the 2040 New Directions stakeholder document where the only reference to STPG desiring to become the MAJOR LOGISTICAL/WAREHOUSE/MANUFACTURING HUB of the Port of New Orleans was a single reference to a "Light Industrial" complex.

2-Behind the scenes in Ap 2021, however, Masingill/Cooper were meeting with the Port of New Orleans and entering into written agreements for us to become a MAJOR Logistics Hub for the Port.

3-Masingill/Cooper then identify the first location-Azby's 160 acres at 1088/12 and set about in Oct 2021 to draw in John Crosby to buy and flip the site to a Distribution warehouse SO LARGE that we had no zoning category to govern it! So, they bypass all of the zoning rules and regs and change the land to allow 1,500,000 million square feet in a single structure to build there! And oopsy, no one alerted the Fire Department of this plan either, it seems.

4-The Zoning Board members are clearly complicit when they all approved this massive 1.5 M sf structure with no protections to the health, safety and welfare of the community, and without comment regarding the environmental impacts which undoubtedly will occur.

5-April 2022-the FINAL 2040 Land Use Plan emerges, covered in PURPLE...the new AML (Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics), which will set us up to have the I-12 Corridor become a tractor-trailer tangled nightmare.

6-Directly south of this 7000 acres of 2040 proposed newly PURPLE AML zoning areas are well-established residential areas. Who asked them how they felt about this? They will receive the worst of the polluted run-off from this area. Don’t they deserve a VOTE?

If Masingill/Cooper and the Council thought that a Casino deserved a VOTE of the people, why would a use like this, a change that will fundamentally alter our Quiet Suburban Quality of Life in this parish not deserve a vote of the People as well? Parish Government run amuck, once again. Guess that I’ll have to start another petition to show them how we feel….

Sunday, April 10, 2022

massive port proposed in St Bernard Parish

Save Our St. Bernard (Group Forum)

Brianna Assavedo A2tapr0pioil 58 nmsat 8:ire5547 AM

https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Portals/56/docs/regulatory/publicnotices/MVN_2021_00270_EG%20PNall.pdf?ver=AsXer0KTreatmbk7Sbs84w%3d%3d

The commenting period is open, again. Don’t pass this opportunity up, especially if you missed the last commenting period. 

This is a critical time when we can impact the future of the massive container terminal planned for our parish. The public comment period is open, and we encourage everyone to share comments with the Corps of Engineers before the April 27 2022 deadline. 

https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Portals/56/docs/regulatory/publicnotices/MVN_2021_00270_EG%20PNall.pdf?ver=AsXer0KTreatmbk7Sbs84w%3d%3d

To make commenting easy, we’ve provided step-by-step instructions below (as well as an example here that you can use or tailor to make your own). 

If we can provide any assistance, reply to this message. 

Thank you,
Your Friends and Neighbors with SOS   SOSTBernard.org

STEP 1:  Write a letter that includes your concerns

The Corps considers public interests, including: conservation, economics, fish and wildlife values, recreation, and the needs and welfare of the people. Your comment should speak to these. 

Are you worried about…
air pollution?
truck and rail traffic?
the impact on your job?
the impact on your family’s quality of life?

Then, share those concerns with the Corps in a letter.

STEP 2:  Include your name and address and Reference the permit numbers

Permit Application Numbers MVN-2021-00270-EG and WQC 210113-01

STEP 3:  Submit your comment

Send your message with the information in “STEP 2” to the Corps project manager: angelle.v.greer@usace.army.mil and CC: to the LDEQ project manager elizabeth.hill@la.gov

STEP 4:  Learn more

If you’d like to learn more about the Permit Application and Public Comment process, visit: https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/.../290.../mvn-2021-00270-eg/

Friday, April 8, 2022

EPA discrimination claims

EPA to investigate 2 state agencies over discrimination claims

Halle Parker WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio
Published April 7, 2022 at 6:19 PM CDT

https://www.wwno.org/coastal-desk/2022-04-07/in-groundbreaking-decision-epa-to-investigate-2-state-agencies-over-discrimination-claims

"St. John residents like Robert Taylor — who founded the Concerned Citizens of St. John, one of the complainants — have fought for fewer emissions from the Denka plant since 2016.

That was when they learned that the area suffered from cancer risks far higher than the rest of the country due to chloroprene inhalation from the plant, including children sent to learn at Fifth Ward Elementary School just a half mile away from Denka. That school is 93% minority, with mostly Black students. Taylor and most of the residents closest to the plant are also Black."

"For the Department of Environmental Quality, the EPA’s External Civil Rights Compliance Office will investigate whether the methods used in its air pollution control program have the intent or effect of subjecting people to racial discrimination, including their actions related to emissions from the Denka plant and the decision to grant 14 air permits for the Formosa Plastics industrial complex planned in St. James."

"The EPA office will also determine whether the Department of Health has failed in both providing St. John residents with information about health threats associated with Denka and other sources of air pollution and making recommendations for measures to prevent or reduce exposure. Federal officials will check whether the state agencies have procedures in place to ensure they provide meaningful access to its services and actions."

EPA Title VI and Environmental Justice

https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/title-vi-and-environmental-justice

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Fighting to Live

Sharon Lavigne of RISE ST. JAMES is this year's Laetare Medal laureate, considered the most prestigious award for American Catholics, with previous recipients including Presidents John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden, former Speakers of the House John Boehner and Tip O'Neill, Sister Helen Prejean, actor Martin Sheen, musician Aaron Neville, and many more. Congratulations Ms. Sharon!

2022 Laetare Medalist Sharon Lavigne

“Sharon has been a source of hope and inspiration to both myself and the community. She is always working to help the people of St. James. And when she speaks out on behalf of them, she speaks passionately.”—Chasity White, resident of St. James Parish

Thursday, March 17, 2022

EPA EJScreen Tool Trainings

Upcoming EJScreen 2.0 Tool Office Hours and Trainings

EPA is hosting the next virtual ‘Office Hours’ and Trainings for users of EJSCREEN, the Agency's environmental justice screening and mapping tool. Office Hours are a chance for the public to talk with EPA EJScreen experts about many topics including how to use and apply the tool, technical issues, and any other questions. The trainings will include information on the updates made to EJScreen 2.0, a demonstration of the newly available features, and tips on how to use the tool. All sessions are free, and registration is not required.

April 20, 2022 Office Hours at 12 pm E.T. - Click Here to Join

April 6, 2022 Training at 12 pm E.T. - Click Here to Join

May 4, 2022 Training at 12 pm E.T. - Click Here to Join

We hope that you will join these open discussions and trainings to learn about EJSCREEN, as well as to get your questions answered.

Background

This updated version of EJScreen, known as EJScreen 2.0, makes important improvements to better meet the needs of users and provides expanded insight into EJ concerns in overburdened communities. The redesigned interface of EJScreen 2.0 includes new data on environmental burdens, socioeconomic factors, climate change, health, and critical service gaps.

For more information on the EJSCREEN Office Hours and Trainings and to access recordings of past sessions, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen/ejscreen-office-hours.

For more information on EJSCREEN, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen.

SOS St Bernard

The Port of New Orleans wants to change our quaint quiet neighborhoods into an industrial wasteland. There are more suitable locations and alternative regional options that would better serve Louisiana and our nation in international container terminaling. It doesn't take much imagination to picture what thousands of daily 18 wheeler trucks will do to the only two roads in St Bernard Parish, or how the increased rail traffic will contribute to the unacceptable night trains and lack of rail infrastructure. #SOStbernard https://www.facebook.com/SoStBernard/posts/pfbid0ytfGpvgfRVDxqyiKky76GUN8of7H3H4muajw91o75onZBFZ8ncZxdeUiyz7E53qel

We all need to do our part

_______ ________ ________ ______ Paraphrasing another Council member's comments on sulfur dioxide issue. Our community has made tremendous strides to get where we are today. We are the fastest growing parish in Louisiana. That accomplishment took a lot of effort from the federal, state and local governments. But the credit mostly belongs to our residents. Those who chose to return and rebuild, and to our new residents who believe that we have something special to offer. And we do. Since the construction of the main hurricane protection wall, the fear of a storm surge (like Katrina) has been minimalized. Our residents recently voted to fund our local government's take over management of the internal storm water system, and we are taking steps to improve our ability to handle major rain events. But one factor that is beyond our control that could have a devastating impact on our ability to grow, and retain residents, is the environment we live in. That's where the role of LDEQ and EPA is so important. You see, we are a RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY that happens to have a couple of industrial residents. I say that because I hold industry as accountable to our community as I do our residents. I hold EPA and the LDEQ to the same standards. We don't have the technology, nor the expertise to handle environmental matters on our own. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that our community continues to grow and prosper, we just need EPA to do their part. A community that has economic development, but is losing residents, is not a community. That's not who we are. That's not where we want to go.

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man, who knows what the law is today, can guess what it will be tomorrow. Law is defined to be a rule of action; but how can that be a rule, which is little known, and less fixed?"

-- James Madison, Federalist #62

Public Participation

http://www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org/public-participation/

Over the years, this would be a familiar model of public participation. If
the panel was critical, its life was usually brief. Citizen oversight of one of
Michigan’s most powerful Fortune 500 companies would not be popular with
regulatory authorities, elected officials or more importantly, the Dow Chemical
Company......

Is this yet another exercise in futility or is it the finality so many of us
hope has arrived?

Do we participate in good faith? Eight years of Dow’s tactics of denial and
delay, eight years of frustration at the state’s impotence. Can the federal
government succeed? Can

the CAG succeed? Each individual active in this clean up will have to answer
these questions for themselves. I for one am not prepared to let any
opportunity to hold Dow and the EPA accountable slip away.

Terry Miller, Chairman Lone Tree Council

Land Use Plan Proposed

.

The St. Bernard Parish Government is proposing a new parish-wide Master Land Use Plan. Funding for this endeavor may be the Murphy Oil Crude Oil Spill "Cy Pres" Fund, according to the former Chairman of the Planning Commission. Councilmembers indicated they would have community meetings in each district for resident input and public information on the proposed changes to zoning and landuse throughout the parish.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/123449388/SBPG-Cy-Pres-Funds-Request-for-Master-Land-Use-Plan

Waste Not Want Not

The waste water treatment plant design requires flows to the ponds and canals which will never fully meet LPDES requirements. [*] This is a violation of the Clean Water Act.

AND, it's completely avoidable.

In fact, the permit does not require sampling of the waste flow from the waste treatment facilities (south of Judge Perez) to the conveyance ditch which feeds the ponds (north of Judge Perez). The only sample of this flow is after it has been diluted with the ponds and before it is discharged into the local canals.

The applicant should be prohibited from ever sending chemicals or waste waters to any of the canals. The permit should prohibit -- under any conditions -- ever sending waste flows north of Judge Perez to the earthen conveyance ditches, storm water ponds or basins interconnected to the ponds, because any chemicals and materials sent north of the waste treatment facility goes into our neighborhoods and sensitive Central Wetlands.

The permit should prohibit storage and treatment of wastes north of Judge Perez. Once the refinery wastes are sent to the Secondary stormwater basins or ponds, it is impossible to send it back for treatment, because, by that time, it is already mixed with the pond's water.

Even the smallest portion of wastes will have long term effects on the ecology system. (page 13 Vol. 1)

[*] Murphy Oil USA Inc. Solid Waste permit application for secondary storm water basins or "ponds" (not yet public noticed)

Vol 1 http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=7885455&ob=yes&child=yes

Vol 2 http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=7885902&ob=yes&child=yes

The ponds discharge into the local canals, which meander through neighborhoods before discharging in the sensitive Central Wetlands, Bayou Bienvenue, and Lake Bornge. The plan to prevent the refinery process campus from flooding is to release process campus storm water through the same route; if there is a backup of storm water on the process campus, it overflows onto residential streets. The requirement to maintain the ponds with adequate freeboard is sometimes met with similar discharges. The design of the waste treatment facilities, when it rains or malfunctions is to store the harmful chemicals and wastes in an unlined ditch within very close proximity to a Church which hosts vacation bible school for children. It is impossible to send all the contaminants back from the ponds to the waste treatment facility for treatment and all these wastes and chemicals are eventually discharged into our neighborhoods or released into our air.

And it's completely avoidable by segregating process water and waste streams from storm water and instead piping malfunctions and "emergency" discharges to storage tanks, treatment ponds on the river side (away from human inhabitants), or into the river itself.

Allowing storage and partial treatment of the wastes in the storm water ponds exposes our residents to harmful and carcinogenic chemicals. Discharges have a lasting effect on the estuaries and environment.

DEQ must consider alternatives to sending chemicals and wastes into the canals and alternatives to storage of chemicals and wastes north of Judge Perez.

UPDATE MARCH 2012
DEQ concluded (page 80) that by providing personal income for the facility's permanent and contract employees outweigh the environmental costs.
http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=8330751&ob=yes&child=yes

Public Meetings

Tuesday November 15, 2011 6:30pm

The monthly public meetings are open to the public and scheduled to convene on the third Tuesday of the month at the former Murphy Oil Administration Building, 1615 East Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. .
*Updates on EPA Consent Decree Provisions
*Ambient air monitor station

http://lena.providenceeng.com/Default.aspx

The new air monitor on Ventura Drive in Chalmette samples our air for benzene, toluene, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and other chemicals. The monitoring results post on the public website: http://lena.providenceeng.com/Default.aspx

Murphy Oil has also provided computer access in the public library.

Preservation Priority

The Villere Plantation was listed as a War of 1812 Preservation Priority in the 2007 American Battlefield Protection Program Report to Congress. "The priorities indicate which sites, in the opinion of the National Park Service, merit immediate preservation action, which need ongoing preservation action, which require additional study, and which are best suited for commemoration rather than preservation."

http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/Rev1812_Final_Report.pdf

The recent EPA Consent Decree with Murphy Oil agreed to a conservation servitude for the Villere Plantation land area of the crop fields drainage machine. The conservation servitude unfortunately expires in approximately 7 to 10 years along with the consent decree.

http://concernedcitizensaroundmurphy.blogspot.com/2011/04/villere-plantation-ruins.html

FOREVER GREENSPACE
Read OUR VISION

Our neighborhoods will no longer be referred to as the Murphy Oil buyout area, but rather will remain residential properties of the Floral Estates, James Place, Despaux and Ventura, and Sandra Park Subdivisions in the community of Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

The neighborhoods around Murphy Oil's Louisiana refinery in Meraux have been revitalized since as early as Fall 2005 and are a vibrant part of the Southeast Louisiana community of St Bernard Parish which has experienced rapid repopulation and rebuilding, due to the spirit and commitment of returning residents.

We want what any other St. Bernard Parish neighborhood would want; clean air, clean water, and uncontaminated soil; and for families and friends to live peaceful lives. As we restore our homes and revitalize our community we are preserving the integrity of our residential neighborhoods and improving our quality of life.

We join with our neighbors for neighborhoods to effect the ever changing decisions that empact our community by encouraging citizen particpation and providing advocacy for all residents who are committed to return, rebuild and remain in St Bernard Parish Louisiana

Read more here
Jacob Drive Firestation and Murphy Oil Refinery Expansion

A petition is being circulated asking the St. Bernard Parish Council and Administration to oppose the sale of the Jacob Drive Fire Station to Murphy Oil Meraux Refinery.

Comprehensive plans based on Fire Insurance Rating Determinations for the placement of Fire Stations throughout St Bernard Parish are paramount to both fire protection level and 'first responder' response time and should be the predominate factor in this decision. Because these determinations are not yet available since the August 28, 2007 fire rating review, Summary No. 2037 has been tabled since August 2007 (see item #15 on the Agenda 08/21/07 ).

Should the Jacob Drive Firestation ever be taken out of service, the property should not be sold to the Murphy Oil Meraux Refinery for Expansion of facilities.

Please join us in opposing this sale by signing the petition and contacting your council representative. Fire Protection Level and 'first responder' response time are a priority.

Remember, the house you save may be your own.

To sign the petition contact CCAMLA1@gmail.com or

download the petition atSAVE OUR FIRESTATION

Letter to LDEQ (Jan. 24, 2008)

Your time and attention to this ongoing sediment problem is appreciated.

To our knowledge those properties on Lena Drive South were never seeded. For the life of me I cant understand why they just wont plant grass already; or at least grass seeds or plant grass sodding on the curb side of the property (in accordance with local parish ordinances which no parsh compliance officer seems to want to enforce on this project). Regardless, your efforts within your jurisdiction should bring a solution that residents have been asking for since the summer; keep the mud out the street and especially out of the storm drains.

Please keep in mind that what the corporation terms a buyout zone, we call home. It is our neighborhood, revitalized since the flood and crude oil spill. It is not a construction zone and its not for sale. Its a subdivision and we expect this corporation and its employees to demonstrate the same level of respect to its new neighbors that it would want in their own hometowns (where ever that maybe).

Thankyou again.

CCAM and Rediscover District C

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Monday, May 9, 2022

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Friday, April 8, 2022

EPA to investigate 2 state agencies over discrimination claims

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Blog Archive

Public Comments

SOS St Bernard

SO2 Nonattainment

EPA EJScreen Tool

We all need to do our part

citrus grove

Villere drainage 1930's

Villere sluice gate ruins

Villere ruins 2007

commercial incursion

proof in permit

Pages

Meraux flare

Public Participation

hazardous site closed

siren testing

new link

SO2 Alerts

mending wall

Land Use Plan Proposed

Land Use Plan

LIBRARY

Wetlands Project

Editorials

Waste Not Want Not

Public Meeting on Water Discharge Permit

Public Meetings

Preservation Priority

Community Gardens

residents rights violated

Murphy Oil Meraux refinery(MOMR)

Chalmette Vista Corridor

Public Library

neighborhood canal

2010 Summer Vacation Starts Soon

Science for Sale

RDC District Sweeps

Fire Protection District C

Villere Plantation

Our Vision

Islenos

Community Connections

Refinery Accident Sickens Neighbors

SO2 standards to change

Tanks to be replaced

Lab Construction Site