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Officials schedule meeting to discuss roads near giant sinkhole

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Posted by WAFB Staff - email
Source: Assumption Parish OEP Source: Assumption Parish OEP
BAYOU CORNE, LA (WAFB) -

Assumption Parish officials and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) are holding a public informational meeting Tuesday about roads near the giant Louisiana sinkhole.

They'll be addressing the LA 70 bypass and detour routes. The meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. It will be held at the Assumption Parish Community Center.

Frustration, disappointment and exhaustion seemed to overwhelm the residents of Bayou Corne in Assumption Parish as they assembled August 3, marking the anniversary of the sinkhole.

On August 2, Governor Jindal and Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced that the state will be suing Texas Brine for environmental damages caused by the failed Texas Brine cavern.

Gov. Bobby Jindal's office reported the governor stated the following:

"By filing suit, we are staying committed to holding Texas Brine accountable for the damage they've caused to Bayou Corne and to Louisiana. We have already pushed for buyouts for affected residents and are undertaking a thorough review of all of Texas Brine's permits in our state. This suit is just the next step in making sure Texas Brine does the right thing and properly addresses the mess it's caused."

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell commented as well on his concerns about the safety of Louisiana citizens is the most important.

"The safety and welfare of our citizens is the top priority. Additionally, Louisiana has expended significant financial resources to help the Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou communities receive the assistance and protection they need. We are pursuing this lawsuit to hold the appropriate parties responsible for this tragic event," said Caldwell.

After a year, residents said they hoped the situation would be resolved. They expressed anger at the way they feel they have been treated. Several residents asked why no state officials were present during the anniversary ceremony.

Unfortunately for these residents, both parish and Texas Brine officials agree that this is far from over. While 3D seismic surveys conducted by Texas Brine seem to indicate that the sinkhole itself is beginning to slow and stabilize, the recovery has focused on a new danger: natural gas gathering underneath a nearby aquifer.

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  • Officials schedule meeting to discuss roads near giant sinkhole

  • The Assumption Parish, LA sinkhole continues to grow. The ground opened up on August 3, 2012 and residents were evacuated from their homes. Click here to see the photos from August 2012 until now.
    The Assumption Parish, LA sinkhole continues to grow. The ground opened up on August 3, 2012 and residents were evacuated from their homes. The sinkhole, or slurry, is consuming land and trees. Many images are from the Assumption Parish Police Jury. Click here to see the photos from August until now.