State Convention 2023 “EnviroCivics: Climate, Communities, and Democracy”
LWVLA Environmental Committee Report for July, 2020
- Cooperate with the Cease Fire national effort to stop the open burning of explosive toxic waste.
Locally, make efforts to assure that Clean Harbors, Colfax operates safely with environmentally friendly disposal systems. Right now they are disposing of 500,000 pound of explosive poison each year by open burning.
[space height=”10″] - Promote the safety of aging water systems in Louisiana. One current priority is rural water systems.[space height=”10″]
- Sponsor public talks by experts, trailblazers, and people who know a lot like chemist Wilma Subra and journalist Justin Noble. Ann Manger and Dolores Blalock will try to have the Natchitoches League co-sponsor an event like this with LSU, Northwestern.[space height=”10″]
- Express concern that funding has been cut for Hodges Gardens and other public gardens as well as state parks like Rebel State Park. The gardens can be destroyed by neglect. Not sure about the answer but it is a concern.
METHANE EMISSIONS
By Wendy King, LWVLA Environmental Committee Chair
This is a basic description of methane (from About.com):
Methane is a very effective greenhouse gas, but with a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. It comes from a variety of sources. Some sources are natural: methane escapes wetlands and oceans at a significant rate. Other sources are anthropogenic, which means man-made. The extraction, processing, and distribution of oil and natural gas all release methane. Raising livestock and rice farming are a major source of methane. The organic matter in landfills and waste-water treatment plants releases methane.
From Environment.about.com — What Is the Clean Power Plan?
LEAGUE ANNOUNCES NEW STRATEGY AND TELEVISION AD TO RE-FRAME FRACKING DEBATE IN ST. TAMMANY
More information is available on the League of Women Voters of St. Tammany Website.
FRACKING ST. TAMMANY TIMELINE 2014
FRACKING MYTHS AND FACTS (SEPT 9, 2014)
Reporting Environmental Concerns
Single Point of Contact (SPOC) – TO REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS – 225-219-3640 or Toll Free 1-888-763-5424 – In the event of an environmental emergency, citizens are encouraged to first contact their local authorities – police, sheriff, fire department, etc. Otherwise citizens and the regulated community can contact the SPOC line to report environmental concerns during business hours, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the number listed above. To report a concern outside of business hours call 225-342-1234 or the toll free number. Concerns include spills, releases, odors, fish kills, open burning, waste tires and any other types of environmental incidents.
Environmental Documents
Government Agencies
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 Timeline
Louisiana Ground Water Resources Commission Report (March 2012)-Transmittal Letter
Louisiana Ground Water Resources Commission Report (March 2012)
Water for Texas 2012 State Water Plan
(Note: This is a VERY large file, so it will take longer than normal to open, possibly a couple of minutes)
Nonprofit Organizations
Wasting Our Waterways Report, June 2014 by Environment America
Restore Louisiana Now scientific poll results
LWVLA Comments on Scenic River Regulations (Oct 29, 2013)
Academic
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COASTAL RESTORATION AND HURRICANE PROTECTION Timothy P. Ryan, Ph.D. March 2014
Water Resources by Mark Davis of Tulane University
Environmental Links
Nonprofit Organizations
Three former Louisiana governors agree: Lawsuit against oil companies should proceed.
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana http://www.crcl.org/
Gulf Restoration Network http://healthygulf.org/
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation http://www.saveourlake.org/
Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) http://leanweb.org/
League of Women Voters of the United States Toolkit for Climate Change
Government Agencies
Coastal Protection and Restoration http://coastal.louisiana.gov/
Louisiana’s 2012 Coastal Master Plan http://www.coastalmasterplan.la.gov/
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (Home Page) http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/
LA DEQ Public Notices http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/apps/pubNotice/default.asp
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources http://dnr.louisiana.gov/
LA DNR Office of Coastal Management Public Notices http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=591
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Scenic Rivers Website: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/scenic-rivers
U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers Public Notices http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/ops/regulatory/publicnotices.asp