61 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 51 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Exclusive to OpEd News:
General News    H4'ed 1/20/13

Gov. Jindal Ignores Sinkhole Disaster; Activists & Scientists Demand Assistance for Traumatized Residents

By       (Page 2 of 3 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   4 comments, In Series: Bayou Corne Sinkhole
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Meryl Ann Butler
Become a Fan
  (81 fans)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
(Image by (From Wikimedia) David Reber, Author: David Reber)
  Details   Source   DMCA

So, during the time that various companies and agencies have been putting forth what they characterize as concerted efforts toward containment, the sinkhole has multiplied over 4 times in size.

In addition, according to the examiner.com"Stanley Waligora, a New Mexico-based radiation protection consultant and leading authority on health risks of NORM confirmed that radium levels at Bayou Corne's sinkhole are not within safe limits, but instead, roughly 15 times higher than the state's acceptable level."

Other radioactive testing found higher-than-acceptable levels, also, but the examiner noted that "raising the acceptable limit of poisonous materials so that they can be reported as 'safe' is a standard operating procedure in protection agencies."

According to the advocate.com"one of the scientists' worst-case fears is that the salt dome could continue to break up from its western edge and threaten other underground caverns." 

In fact, referring to the disaster area as a "sinkhole" even seems to downplay the possibility that a greater collapse of the area is possible.

As a Louisiana resident  for a decade, I remembered that most of the trees stayed green through the winters.  I didn't remember them getting that crunchy, brown, barren look that the trees where I grew up in the New England area had - and which I also noticed in the photos of the trees around the sinkhole.

When I asked Ms. Subra about the condition of the vegetation, she said, "The water in the sink hole and the area surrounding the sink hole is elevated in chloride content - it is salty.  That causes negative impacts on vegetation. Texas Brine has been ordered to construct containment barriers to prevent the brine, salty water from impacting the surrounding swamp."

Bayou Corne Sinkhole, Dec. 7, 2012
Bayou Corne Sinkhole, Dec. 7, 2012
(Image by Assumption Parish Police Jury, used with permission)
  Details   DMCA

John Achee, a longtime Assumption Parish resident who is now working closely with diverse groups and committees involved in this situation notes that Governor Jindal has not visited the site nor held a press conference regarding this disaster, although the governor has done both for other disasters in his state.

Achee shared this message which he sent to the governor (shown here, verbatim):

Dear Governor Jindal: 

Sir, it is time for you to show your face in Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou. Let the residents of this disaster know what you are doing for them in this crisis. Also, we need you to call the president and request a Federal State of Emergency as per the Stafford Act. This sinkhole is to large to bury sir and all consultants are "stumped." Texas Brine continues to make a mockery of the state you run sir. Time to bring the best and brightest minds and to protect the health and welfare of our residents and our environment. 

Governor you need to act and you need to act now, this sitution is out of control and cannot be handled by the state agencies that are in charge and it is becoming more dangerous by the minute to the immediate safety of the residents in the area, now is not the time for political maneuvering, for once it would be nice to see a politician completely set politics aside and truly do what is in the best interest of the people who elected you, Governor the safety of the residents of this area ultimately falls on your shoulders, if you continue to ignore this disaster and not act, if someone gets hurt or worse, i hope you have broad shoulders sir, we need you to act immediately,

Thanks
John Achee Jr


Next Page  1  |  2  |  3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Must Read 3   Well Said 3   News 2  
Rate It | View Ratings

Meryl Ann Butler Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Meryl Ann Butler is an artist, author, educator and OpedNews Managing Editor who has been actively engaged in utilizing the arts as stepping-stones toward joy-filled wellbeing since she was a hippie. She began writing for OpEdNews in Feb, 2004. She became a Senior Editor in August 2012 and Managing Editor in January, (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

CEO Ridiculed for Raising Minimum Wage to $70K Has the Last Laugh

The Bizarre Theft of Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski's Miracle Cancer Cure

Mysterious Bayou Sinkhole Continues to Cave In: Radiation, Hydrocarbons Detected

Tips for Avoiding Coronavirus

Relentless Bayou Corne Sinkhole Nearly 30 Times Original Size (UPDATED with Cave-In Video)

Sex, Love, and Jesus: A Few Surprises in the Easter Basket

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend