WE'VE MOVED OUR WEBSITE!

Acadian Group of the Sierra Club has moved to a more modern and featured website where you can read more information about a variety of issues we're following, engage in dialogue, and see photos of recent events and recreational outings. Visit us online at http://LafayetteSierraClub.org


Please bear with us while we are updating the new site. Thanks!

Before you Go, LIKE our Acadian Group of the Sierra Club official Facebook Page
for updates on our website activity and a multitude of environmental conservation issues from the Southwest Louisiana and Atchafalya Basin regions, as well as State of Louisiana as a whole.


You can also visit our members' Community Discussion Group to dialogue on issues and let us know about timely events. Acadian Group's Facebook Community Group

FOR UPDATES related specifically to our activism on the I-49 Urban Freeway Project
please visit the Y-49 FB page.

Notes from audience Dec 3 forum, thanks Woody

Dec 3, 2015

Sierra Club Acadian Group Y-49 meeting

Lafayette downtown public library

Questions and Concerns from public comments at the meeting:

1.      Better to pay to clean up toxics now rather than pay much more later in health care costs

2.      How far along is DOTD in acquiring property for the right of way (ROW)?

3.      What happens to houses after they are moved – Is there a process to relocate historic buildings/houses?  Response – that is dependent on personal transactions between homeowners and DOTD.

4.      What specific plans are there for cleanup of toxics before acquisition and construction?

5.      With hazardous materials in the Evangeline corridor is an alternate route in consideration? Response – No alternative route is being considered

6.      How does an elevated expressway help traffic?

7.      How does an elevated expressway help the community? Response – DOTD is responding to what the community said 20 years ago

8.      What about traffic problems, people running out of gas, accidents on an elevated expressway during hurricane evacuation? Response – it would be safer than it is now

9.      If purpose is to move Oil and equipment why not alternate routes?

10.  Does DOTD have to go through historic preservation process? Response – Yes, it is called the Section 106 process.

11.  The cost of the project has gone up from 100s of Millions to $3B

12.  What would it take to look at a new alignment

13.  Eisenhower – Interstates were supposed to go around (not through) communities

14.  What is decided, what can be changed?

15.  We have heard that elevated expy can be an enhancement, be attractive. Where can I go to see that? Response – Yes we can design to be attractive. An example of what can be done is in New Orleans at the West Bank Expy. It is not a great example, we can do better than that.

16.  Everyone should know that what they DOTD is talking about is 22 ft high, 150 ft wide, all concrete underneath. Response – that design was a literal translation of the Record of Decision (ROD), the final design does not have to be exactly like that. There was a 2002 doc published from work with three coteries that was considered in developing the design. Now there are 5 coteries.

17.  How big is the haz waste area, how much overlap with the project area? Response – Project is next to and inside of the boundaries of hazardous waste sites. We should demand that the Railroad fix the problem because if they don’t it will be on the taxpayers to fix it.

18.  What would it take to convince you that this (elevated) is not what the community wants?

19.  Why are we talking about an interstate. Shouldn’t we be talking about connecting our community? Response – we got a grant to look at connecting the community.

20.  Way back there were two referenda against the elevated expy, political leaders went ahead with it anyway.

21.  In 2003 I went to look for letters at city hall, only four letters in support.

22.  Could we do it at grade? Response – ROD would not allow that change, elevated will help connectivity.

23.  Why is the EIS being called final? Can we do another study? Response – a new alignment would require a new EIS.

24.  What stage is the project at now?

25.  What is the procedure to change the EIS/ROD?

26.  With standard interstate cost at $17M per mile and elevated cost at $350M per mile this project will not happen.

27.  What are the alternatives (to elevated)? Wouldn’t it be better to take advantage of fed $ to mitigate the toxic waste sites?

28.  If you design for 20 yrs ahead and it takes 20 yrs to build shouldn’t we be designing for 40 years, what transportation changes will occur in that time?

29.  How will the elevated help local traffic? Response – It will take some local traffic

30.  How do we go about getting a change of the decision? Response – That would have to be considered by Local government and DOTD. DOTD is now taking input, will incorporate all comments into the process.

31.  Our community (McV) is divided by Evangeline now. An elevated expy might be better.

Here is a list of our concerns. We will continue our efforts to raise public awareness:

Grassroots Engagement

   December 3, 2015

          Sierra Club

OBJECTIVE: Everyone else across the country is tearing down elevated expressways – what do we know that they don’t? EIS offered soft answers, few specifics, details and facts about lessening of impacts. Now we need HARD FACTS and DETAILS about how and when?

1. MAJOR CONTAMINATION SITES (Project Area)

A.      SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAIL YARD   (1873-1964)   (Evang Thrwy to RR Tracks/Taft to Simcoe)

·   2007 Federal Court decision found  (i) hazardous wastes throughout the entire site, (ii) present an immanent and substantial endangerment to human health and the environment, (iii)must be removed, and (iv)may be polluting the Chicot Aquifer

·   Known threat to the Chicot Aquifer (our drinking water) and the Vermilion Bayou (storm water runoff). The Chicot Aquifer ranges  @ depths 40 to 80 ft below land surface of Lafayette and extends directly beneath this waste site.

·   The City should not acquire this waste site (and the cost to clean it up); construction access should be denied.

B.      LAFAYETTE POWER PLANT ( 1896-1955)   (Simcoe @ Grant)

·   Facility fueled by #6 bunker oil (known carcinogen)

·   Aerial extent and depths unknown; a full site inspection is warranted.

·   The City should not acquire this site; construction access should be denied.

·   One of Lafayette’s deepest Chicot Aquifer wells is located on lands adjacent to and between the      Rail Yard waste site and this Utility Site – a significant threat to out drinking water.

C.      LAFAYETTE LANDFILL (est.1920)  (University/General Mouton  @ Vermilion Bayou)

·   Comprehensive environmental study of this land and adjoining properties (including migration patterns) is warranted BEFORE THIS LAND IS COMMITTED TO I-49 PROJECT.

All three of these contaminated sites lie in the Project Area with the Chicot Aquifer just below posing a significant threat to our drinking water – adding to that a major construction project is a recipe for disaster. Not to mention, tons of waste generated by construction and then trucked to yet to be designated areas. Further risks inherent with redistributing contaminated soil with deep tunneling operations/construction planned for @ 4 location (Johnston, Jefferson, 2^nd, 3^rd, Simcoe). The Chicot Aquifer is a very valuable natural resource for us all and will serve generations to come IF WE PROTECT IT.

2. AIRPORT RUNWAY DISPLACEMENT/EXTENSION

A.      I-49 Pathway requires existing runway (40ft above sea-level) to be modified and extended into Cypress Island Swamp (8ft above sea-level) entering St. Martin Ph and crossing Bayou Tortue.

        B.   Tremendous Cost (est. vary)

        C.    New Runway will disrupt the natural flow of the Swamp, impact hydrology of the entire Wetland   

               Area (including Lake Martin). Flood stages in Lafayette and surrounding towns to be impacted.

        D.   The cost of the inherent downsides to be born by WHO???

                                                                        (over)

3. HURRICANE EVACUATION

A.   Disruptions with existing evacuation routes during entire construction cycle (10yrs?)

B.   Inadequate – no additional lane capacity and  underpasses flood.

       C.  Wrecks and hazardous substance spills on elevated highways compound evacuation traffic jams.

4. COSTS

A.   2001 estimated $150 million/per mile.

       B.  Many cost estimates did not include

a.    Hazardous Waste removal ($500 million up to $3 billion)

b.   Airport Runway ($200 million)

c.    Health costs increases and

d.   More environmental studies and testing as indicated

 When the total cost is tallied (a Billion Dollars??) is it worth it?  Add to it the cost to the environment and the potential for polluting our exquisite freshwater Chicot Aquifer –Is it worth it?  

A significant increase in the amount of hazardous material transported along the Corridor can be anticipated. Do we want it passing through our Urban Core, at any level (ground or elevated), and at any speed (70, 50, 35mph)?

WE ARE OBLIGATED TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRIONMENT, INCLUDING OUR VALUEABLE NATURAL RESOURCE – THE CHICOT AQUIFER.       BE INFORMED.    BE INCLUDED.   BE INVOLVED

Good article on last weeks I 49 connector meeting by Jessica Goff in Sunday's Advertiser:

http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/local/2015/10/10/dont-blame-me-m-just-reporter/73613842/

Here is a link to an article concerning the proposed sale of CLECO to an Australian conglomerate:

http://all4energy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/CLECO-report_AUG-6-2015.pdf

Here is a you tube link to the video of our Oct 1 Candidate's forum;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR2H0pFFACk

Also check out the FB page for photos and related info:

https://www.facebook.com/AcadianSierraClub?fref=ts

Here is a link to the Advocate's article covering the Forum:

http://theadvocate.com/news/13594603-123/lafayette-parish-president-candidates-field

Candidate Forum - Updated Questions and Concerns

Here is a list of the questions for the upcoming Forum, along with a listing of our concerns with regard to each issue. Please feel free to comment, or ask questions



City Parish President Candidate Forum    Thursday, October 1, 2015


1.  Evangeline Throughway

There has been a great deal of discussion on plans to upgrade the Evangeline Throughway to      interstate status, even though an affordable route along the Teche Ridge already exists.  Many citizens are concerned about the numerous negative aspects of this upgrade such as a disruption to the downtown development area; the displacement of many homes, businesses and historical sites; a path over toxic waste site at the old railroad yard; and a negative impact to adjacent wetlands as the east/west airport runway will need to be pushed into the swamp.

What would your position be?

Sierra Club’s Concerns
  1.Too Expensive, way beyond available funding possibilities.

  2.Major Environmental Problems

     a.hundreds of hazardous waste sites in the path of this proposed project to be resolved (filling                 stations, cleaners, Lafayette’s old power plant, Southern Pacific Roundhouse Dump,
        old Lafayette Public Landfill)

     b.Enormous expense in resolving these issues.

     c.Driving pilings in the related test borings through these hazardous sites would seriously threaten         Lafayette’s drinking water.

  3.Extensive loss of wetlands relating to the realignment of the east/west runway into the Cypress            Island Swamp owned by the Nature Conservancy in St. Martin Parish.

  4.Loss of hundreds of homes and businesses and the related jobs.

News Flash: Our candidate forum has been rescheduled to Thurs Oct 1, 630 PM, at the downtown library

Background Info on I-49 Connector

This post will provide some background information on the proposed I-49 connector. Specifically, links to past Environmental Impact Statements (EIS):

Below is the 2003 Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposal. It approves the project through town along Evangeline Thruway, with stipulations that construction for dealing with contaminants at three sites, as well as approximately 200 underground storage tanks (UST) at active or inactive gas stations would have to be drawn up and approved. According to a staffer at the local DEQ office no such plans have been submitted.

http://mpo.lafayettela.gov/projects/I-49connector/text/I49_ROD.pdf

Here is a link to the 2005 EIS ROD which approves the displacement of the Lafayette Airport runways, and the mitigation of resulting displacement of adjacent wetlands:

https://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/records_decision/media/rod_lafayette.pdf

Environmental Forum Set for September 9th

Candidates for Lafayette City Parish President

have been invited to an

Environmental Forum

Sponsored by the Acadian Group of the Sierra Club

Thursday October 1, 2015 from 6:30PM – 7:30 PM

at the newly renovated Downtown Library at the corner of Lafayette St. and W. Congress St.

Candidate Forum's Facebook page 

Questions for Candidates for Lafayette City-Parish President

Below are listed the Acadian Group's questions/issues for the candidates for Lafayette City-Parish President:

1.  Evangeline Thruway

There has been a great deal of discussion on plans to upgrade the Evangeline Thruway to interstate status, while an alternate, currently affordable route along the Tech Ridge may exist.  Many citizens are concerned about the numerous negative aspects of this upgrade such as a disruption to the downtown development area; the displacement of many homes, businesses and historical sites; a path over toxic waste site at the old railroad yard; and a negative impact to adjacent wetlands as the east/west airport runway will need to be pushed into the swamp. 

What would your position be?

Meetings for January 2015

Sierra Club Acadian Group "ExCom" Conservation Meeting and Upcoming Guest Speaker

Welcome back friends! 2015 has arrived and one set of holidays has past (always with more to come.)  Before the seasonal distractions carry sway with us away, there are a couple of meetings of the Sierra Club in Acadiana this month. On January 14th will be the first meeting for all of the General Business of the Group. You know the drill, where we consult and review course of action on the various conservation issues the Group is currently concerned with and consider new issues that have arisen.

Then on January 21st, we'll have Mr. Mike Hollier of Consolidated Government's Planning
Department in to talk about the work of his office as it relates to environmental concerns we have, including increased Air Quality compliance to meet protective Ozone limitations, and how Bicycling facilities, Electric Charging Stations and other strategies can achieve those goals.

Also on deck during the January 14th meeting will be our continuing recreational excursions. This meeting will be the one at which to plan them. So come prepared. Want us to do a variety of events? Step up and become a leader this year!

Wednesday, January 14 and 21 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm

First United Methodist Church Lafayette, La
703 Lee Ave, Lafayette, Louisiana

As always, these meetings are open to every member of the Sierra Club as well as all others interested. Visit the Acadian Group of the Sierra Club's Facebook Group for automatic invites to future events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/271945356257917/

NOVEMBER - HIKING at CAT ISLAND

NOVEMBER - HIKING at CAT ISLAND

Acadian Group is meeting up with our sister Group over in Baton Rouge for a hike at Cat Island  on Saturday, November 22,  2014

Meeting Times are 9:00am for carpoolers at the meetup in Baton Rouge and 10:30 hike leaves Trail Head.

Come and hike with us at Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge near Saint Francisville known for its old growth cypress trees.  The weather has cooled a bit. Its a good time for a hike! We will meet at Campus Credit Union at Perkins Rd and Quail Dr for carpooling. Contact Gwen Pine 225-272-5207 if you plan to attend.We may need to reschedule or make alternate plans if roads are too wet. The leisurely walk to the tree on the Big Cypress trail  is less than a mile round trip.  It is an easy walk because the trail is level and has just been improved.  After viewing the tree and surrounding area, we will head to the 2.8 mile Blackfork Walking Trail to observe other interesting flora and fauna.  If you prefer, you may opt for a shorter walk, or none at all. Bring mosquito repellent. There are no facilities on Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge.

More details at http://brsierraclub.blogspot.com/2014/11/cat-island-hike-info.html

Presentation on CWPPRA Coastal Restoration Projects

Sierra Club Acadian Group, Guest presentation
Date/Time: Wednesday, Sept 17, 6:30 pm
Location: First United Methodist Church, 703 Lee Ave, Lafayette, LA 70501

Join us on at 6:30pm on September 17th at the United Methodist Church located at 701 Lee Avenue to learn more about Louisiana’s current coastal wetlands restoration efforts.  Team members from the CWPPRA – The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act – public outreach committee will join us to discuss various techniques used to protect, preserve, and restore Louisiana’s fragile wetland ecosystems.

CWPPRA is federal legislation enacted to identify, engineer and design, and fund the construction of coastal wetlands restoration projects. These projects provide for the long-term conservation of wetlands and dependent fish and wildlife populations. Projects funded by CWPPRA are cost-effective ways of restoring, protecting, and enhancing coastal wetlands. CWPPRA has a proven track record of superior coastal restoration science and monitoring techniques in Louisiana.

Since 1990, the net Louisiana wetland area that CWPPRA has protected, created, or restored is about 100,000 acres. Greater than 426,000 acres have also been enhanced.

As of 2014, CWPPRA has 151 active restoration projects with 101 completed projects, 18 active construction projects, and 33 projects currently in engineering and design. Three (3) of the 33 projects in engineering and design are scheduled for construction during 2014.
The success of the CWPPRA program has been essential in providing critical ecosystem stabilization along Louisiana’s coast and has provided pioneering solutions for land loss.

In addition to the physical land gains made by CWPPRA, this interagency organization has been instrumental in educating the public about Louisiana’s land loss and in fostering public participation in coastal restoration activities. CWPPRA has also provided solid science and background information that helped in the identification and selection of Louisiana Coastal Area Feasibility Study Plan (LCA), Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP), State of Louisiana, and Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) projects.  To learn more visitwww.LaCoast.gov



Bio:

Susan Testroet-Bergeron will be joining us to  represent the Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act’s Public Outreach Committee.  She will be sharing information about Louisiana’s coastal wetlands restoration efforts.

She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Geology, a Louisiana Teaching Certificate, she is former classroom teacher, and has over 15 years of experience performing education and outreach in the environmental community.  She works with several environmental organizations in the State and along the gulf coast helping to provide resources for wetland education.

Lectures Series - Oil, Gas, & Land-Loss in the Wetlands

American Energy, Imperiled Coast

Oil and Gas Development in Louisiana’s Wetlands

Explores the tension between Oil & Gas development and the land loss crisis in coastal Louisiana

 

A Presentation, Discussion and Book Signing with Jason Theriot

September 10, 2014 at 6:30 pm
First United Methodist Church
703 Lee Ave, Lafayette, LA
Parking at Johnston and Main

Jason Theriot is an energy and environmental historian and consultant and former Energy Policy Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, earned a doctorate in history from the University of Houston and a degree in journalism from Louisiana State University.

Introduction by Lillian Espinoza-Gala
Presented by Acadian Group of the Sierra Club
http://acadiansierra.blogspot.com/

Tunica Hills / Clark Creek Outing

Got a summertime hiking itch that needs scratching? Acadian Group of the Sierra Club can help with that. We're leading a hike at the Clark Creek Natural area on June 14. Members and Friends throughout Louisiana are invited to participate.

Clark Creek Natural Area in the Tunica Hills is a member favorite hiking destination despite being forgivably located just across the state line in Mississippi which was a part of the Delta Chapter in our founding years. This area has waterfalls and hiking trails deep in the Tunica Hills. There are improved steps on the hillsides, on some waterfalls, and most trails are maintained with primitive trails also available.

Lecture Series: SPECIAL GUEST - DR. RIKI OTT

Dr. Riki Ott

Riki Ott, a former commercial fisherwoman, trained marine toxicologist and "accidental activist" since the Exxon Valdez disaster on issues of concern to coastal communities and democracy will be the guest speaker for Acadian Group of the Sierra Club on Wednesday May 21, 2014.

Ott visits the Gulf Coast this month to meet with community organizations to discuss upcoming proposed revisions to the National Contingency Plan, what this means to people who live in areas impacted by these activities, and how to make an official public comment. The Federal Government is preparing revisions to the NCP to direct future disaster response efforts relating to all forms of oil and energy extraction contamination.

Ott will discuss the petitioning drive to Ban the Use of Corexit as an oil remediation tool and her effort to organize communities for a new program called ALERT -A Locally Empowered Response Team - that will gather baseline data to be compared with data after a disaster, and will provide treatment to people who have been chemically exposed.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Please contact us to RSVP so we may plan an appropriate sized room at the church meeting hall to accommodate everyone.

Meeting begins at 6:30pm located at First United Methodist Church, 703 Lee Avenue, Lafayette, LA. Entry to the church hall faces the rear parking lot visible from Johnston Street. Meeting room upstairs on the right. Share this update, and please bring a friend!

Guest Speaker Update for May 14 Conservation Meeting

Short Notice Update:

Guest speaker for tonight’s (Wed, May 14) meeting of Sierra Club Acadian Group will be Ron Boustany, NRCS Water Quality Researcher working at the Wetlands Center. The meeting will be at the First United Methodist Church at 703 Lee Ave in Lafayette. Meeting time is 6:30 pm.

April General Interest Meeting - New Outings

 Acadian Group of the Sierra Club selects it's upcoming quarter of recreational outings.

At the General Interest Meeting on Wednesday evening, 4/16 we call for outings recommendations from our members for the May-July quarter. Also members with recreational outing leadership are always welcome to become an Official Outings Leader with the Sierra Club. We offer support for members to become certified. 

We'll also update on the Green Army and other environmental bills in the legislature and how to join the action team; update on the Atchafalaya West Levee Bike Path and other trails; update on Lake Fausse Pointe area National Monument proposal; update on Lafayette's Electrical Future partnership with the League of Women Voters, currently in the research phase; next Ecologic TV program, and other issues subject to call. We will also have an informational table during Festival International, corner of Jefferson and Vermilion next to the Boy Scouts.

Share this update, and please bring a friend! First United Methodist Church downtown Lafayette, corner of Johnston and Main. Rear Entry of Church Hall, door on the right, go upstairs and look to the right. We'll also go for dinner at Hub City Diner at your request. See you there!

Also keep up with us on our Facebook Page.

Sierra Club and Trees Acadiana co-host IMAGINE the Future "Park at the Horse Farm"

The long effort to see the former UL-Lafayette "Horse Farm" land become a public park approaches the design and community participation phase of its plan.

Acadian Group of the Sierra Club and Trees Acadiana join forces to host directors David Calhoun and Elizabeth Brooks of Lafayette Central Park, Inc. on October 16, 2013 for a presentation on the upcoming visioning process to plan the development of the future Park at the Horse Farm.  Q&A discussion on the critical issues and other details bearing on the Park's future will follow.

The first round of workshops are set for 23-26 October 2013 to enable we the general public to be co-creators of the plan of development for the Horse Farm.
 Presenters will give an overview of the process, the issues, and how we can take the opportunity to be a constructive part of developing the plan for the future Park at the Horse Farm. 

Gather with us on October 16, 2013 at 6:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Downtown Lafayette at the corner of Johnston and Main Street and be sure to Bring a Friend.

 

 Some Issues of Public Concern: parking, bike and pedestrian access, traffic calming and management on Johnston Street, governance and other oversight opportunities by Lafayette Consolidated Government and the general public, and the infusion of $30 million in private development funding.  Other questions will be addressed such as the  'no trespassing' notices currently posted on the property and whether the green-space will be maintained as a passive recreation area.

 

Sponsored by Acadian Group of the Sierra Club & TreesAcadiana

Presenters:  David Calhoun, Executive Director, Lafayette Central Park, Inc.

Elizabeth Brooks, Director of Planning and Design

 

Hope to see you.  Have your voice heard.

Sign up for this event on Facebook, Invite your Friends and "Like" the Acadian Group.