[StBernard] Update: DEQ meeting

[Westley Annis]

UPDATE From DEQ public meeting --   
Residents had the opportunity to discuss community concerns with Valero
Refining - Meraux representatives and Louisiana DEQ officials at last
night's public meeting. Councilman Fred Everhardt, who helped arrange for
this meeting,  pointed out that even a small portion of untreated waste
discharged into the 20 arpent canal will have long term effects on the
sensitive estuaries of the Central Wetlands.  
 
Councilman Fred Everhardt requested,  before issuance of the permit, an
evaluation by DEQ of the discharge process at the Valero -Meraux refinery to
determine what safeguards are needed so not to see any chemicals go into the
local canals, at all.  DEQ and Valero were asked to consider adding storm
water capacity and routing any "emergency" discharges to the river.   Valero
representatives agreed to look at the alternatives and respond to the
community concerns.
 
Rediscover District C President Howard Luna and District C resident Joey
Englert echoed the concerns, because our district has seen too many oily
releases into the canals with as little as an afternoon rain shower.    The
facility's compliance history shows that as little as a four inch rain can
result in material releases into the neighborhood. 
 
Concerned Citizens would like to thank Mr. Everhardt, Mr. Luna and Mr.
Englert for their continued support.  Written Comments may be submitted to
the DEQ about the refinery water discharge permit at
deq.publicnotices at la.gov, until MONDAY November 14th at 4:30pm ALL
CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD REFERENCE AI 1238 LA 00003646 PER20090003
 
The next Refinery hosted public meeting is Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at
6:30pm in the old Murphy Oil Building on East Judge Perez.  The following
refinery meeting will be sometime in January 2012.