Louisiana Highway One, or Personal Gain?
FACTS:
Two articles written in the June 18,2006 edition of The Lafourche Gazette warrants comments from this blogger.
1.Individual seeks to protect LA 1; Written by Alces P. Adams.
2.Citizens are urged to voice support for project; Written by Henri Boulet, Director of LA 1 Coalition.
OPINIONS:
Ricky Cheramie addressed the Lafourche Parish Council at the council’s regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday June 13,2006. Mr. Cheramie stated that the integrity of LA 1 was compromised when land owners were allowed to excavate sand for profit. In my opinion, the land owners were not held responsible for the public’s safety. Mr. Cheramie stated that he acquired a permit which would allow him to dispose of non-hazardous oil field waste into the excavated sand pits and rectify the hazardous situation along LA 1 in Dogris, Louisiana. Mr. Cheramie also asked the council to pass a resolution prohibiting other individuals from disposing this type of waste in Lafourche Parish. The Council voted to request an opinion from the D.A., on the issuance of a resolution.
I have the following questions:
1.Lafourche Parish has an ordinance against dumping within the parish, how did Mr. Cheramie aquire a permit? Who is responsible for enforcement?
2.The Home Rule Charter prohibits the issuance of exclusive franchises. Would the requested resolution be a violation of the Charter?
3.Is Mr. Cheramie going to make a profit on this dumping? Why would the oil companies spend money to have someone dispose of this waste? Why don’t the oil companies dump their non-hazardous waste into Bayou Lafourche or the Gulf of Mexico, in the area of the waste generating facilities? Is it because it is against E.P.A. regulations? How can Mr. Cheramie be allowed to dump in an area where people gather to catch fish?
4.Who are the land owners who caused this hazardous condition? Are there any laws being violated? Who cares? Is this happening in Lafourche Parish?
In response to the article about the LA 1 Coalition, if the LA 1 project is of such national importance, why then is the burden of financing the project on the backs of our hard-working locals?
Come back and visit with us. Tomorrow, we will examine the Lafourche Parish time keeper and his advisor.
