Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Monday, August 31, 2015
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.
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:
Friday, August 28, 2015
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
Candidate Forum's Facebook page
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
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?
Saturday, January 10, 2015
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/
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
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
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
Monday, September 15, 2014
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.
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.
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