Louisiana Superfund Site: Bayou Bonfouca
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Do you need a Toxic Tort Attorney in The Bayou State? The EPA has designated Bayou Bonfouca in Louisiana as a Superfund site due to its levels of environmental toxins and danger to the environment. You can read the report for the site below.
Some Superfund sites are on the National Priority Site Lists. The National Priorities List ("NPL") is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program. Environmental Protection Agency regulations outline a formal process for assessing hazardous waste sites and placing them on the NPL. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation.
Sites are listed on the NPL upon completion of Hazard Ranking System (HRS) screening, public solicitation of comments about the proposed site, and after all comments have been addressed. EPA may delete a final NPL site if it determines that no further response is required to protect human health or the environment. Sites where a remediation was completed through the Superfund program are typically deleted from the NPL.
Living near Superfund Sites in Louisiana may place you and your family at higher risk of developing a disease from proximity to the site and experiencing a loss of value for your property, but there are steps you can take to fight back: The EPA says,
[We have] set up a "Post Construction Completion" (or PCC) strategy to ensure that Superfund response actions provide for the long-term protection of human health and the environment. EPA's Post Construction Completion activities also involve optimizing remedies to increase effectiveness and/or reduce cost without sacrificing long-term protection of human health and the environment.However, most of the Superfund sites still pose a health hazard to the well-being of those near-by.
When you rely on Weitz & Luxenberg, you benefit from the legal experience of accomplished Toxic Tort lawyers who will help fight back against polluters and secure you and your family the compensation and environmental remediation to which you are entitled.
Below you can read the EPA report for the Bayou Bonfouca Superfund site. If you, a loved one, or someone in your community has suffered due to exposure to a Superfund site Bayou Bonfouca, or if your property has lost value because of contamination, you are better off with a toxic tort lawyer who knows the people of the State of Louisiana . Take your first step filling out this simple form. There is no obligation, and your case will be evaluated within 24 hours. To refer a friend, neighbor, or loved one, click here to let them know about the environmental toxic tort lawyers at Weitz & Luxenberg.
Bayou Bonfouca
This site is not a Federal Facility.
EPA Publication Date:
Bayou Bonfouca
Slidell, Louisiana
St. Tammany Parish
Epa Id# Lad980745632
Site ID: 0600574
Epa Region 6
Congressional District 01
Contact: Mike McAteer
214-665- 7157
Updated: September 2005
Current Status
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality maintains the site and performs routine monitoring of
the ground water. Incineration of contaminated soils and sediments were completed on July 28, 1995.
Ground water treatment began in June 1991 and continues to reduce the volume of contaminated ground
water and prevent migration.
Benefits
The cleanup detoxified over 170,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment, treated approximately
17,600,000 gallons of contaminated ground water, and recovered about 44,500 gallons of creosote oil. A
mile and a half of the Bayou was restored for aquatic life, as well as human recreational and residential
use. A public boat launch was installed by the City to allow public access to this beautifully restored area.
Brasselman Corporation and EPA donated the Site property and buildings to the City of Slidell in January
1997 for future use as a city maintenance yard, sewage control facility during flood events, and possible
park.
EPA contractors for subcontracting services within St. Tammany Parish spent approximately $12 Million
dollars during the cleanup. Between 80 and 90% of field and office staff were locally hired, trained, and
employed by EPA Contractors or sub-contractors.
National Priorities Listing (NPL) History
Site Hazard Ranking System Score: 29.78
Proposed Date: 12/30/82
Final Date: 9/08/83
Site Description
Location:The site includes about 54 acres and associated Bayou sediments. It is located in Slidell,
Louisiana on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain and includes the former American
Creosote Works Plant and a portion of scenic Bayou Bonfouca. The site is south of West
Hall Avenue in Slidell and north of and adjacent to Bayou Bonfouca (See Site Map).
Population:Approximately 26,000 residents live in the surrounding community.
Setting:Commercial operations involving the treatment of wood products with creosote began
about 1892. Numerous releases of creosote occurred during the years of operation.
There were eight highly contaminated creosote areas at the site. The northern half of the
site is heavily wooded. The site is bordered on the east by a drainage ditch, on the west
by a creek, and on the south by Bayou Bonfouca. Site-related contaminants were found
in the bayou. The nearest residence to the site is approximately 400 feet across the
bayou to the southwest. The nearest drinking water well is approximately 1/4 mile
northeast of the site.
EPA Publication Date:
Hydrology: Seven stratigraphic layers were encountered in the first 60 feet to include interbedded
sands, clays, and silts. Three ground water systems were encountered including a
surficial aquifer, a shallow artisan aquifer at 30 feet, and a deep artisan aquifer at 60 ft.
The elevation of the 100-year floodplain is 9 feet mean sea level (MSL) that would
inundate the site.
Wastes and Volumes
The principal pollutants at the Bayou Bonfouca Superfund site are creosote compounds and Polynuclear
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Site Map and Photographs
Site photographs can be viewed on the Internet at:http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6sf/pdffiles/bbfphoto.pdf
Health Considerations
Approximately 1.5 miles of scenic Bayou Bonfouca were biologically sterile due to severe creosote
contamination in bayou sediments and in the water column. Creosote contamination was so concentrated
that it caused second-degree chemical burns to divers, injured or killed aquatic animals and waterfowl,
and posed a significant hazard to recreational users.
Record of Decision (ROD)
Groundwater/Surface Water, Operable Unit 1: ROD signed March 13, 1987,
which incorporated the Source Control ROD of August 15, 1985
EPA Publication Date:
The remedy included:
Dredging of Bayou Bonfouca contaminated sediments;
Onsite incineration of contaminated soils and sediments; and
Extraction and treatment of contaminated ground water
AnExplanation of Significant Difference was released February 5, 1990,to reflectsignificantly greater
waste volumes than previous estimates resulting in remedy selection of onsite incineration of wastes after
careful examination of biotreatment, underwater capping, and other alternatives.
Additional groundwater recovery wells were installed along Bayou Bonfouca starting in January 2000 and
began pumping in May 2000.
Total cleanup costs were estimated at $140 million dollars.
Site
Remedial Project Manager Mike McAteer (EPA) 214-665-7157
State Contact Rich Johnson (LDEQ) 225-765-0487
Community Involvement Mike McAteer (EPA) 214-665-7157
Attorney James L. Turner (EPA) 214-665-3159
EPA Ombudsman Arnold Ondarza, 1-800-533-3508
source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Act Now! It is essential that you inquire about your pollutant lawsuit as soon as possible. Louisiana law may limit your time to bring a legal claim to protect your rights. Your legal review is free and there is no commitment. You case will be evaluated immediately, so get started on your claim today!
see also:
Central Wood Preserving Co.
Environmental Pollution in Louisiana- Site: Central Wood Preserving Co.Central Wood Preserving Co. Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant
Environmental Pollution in Louisiana- Site: Louisiana Army Ammunition PlantLouisiana Army Ammunition Plant Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
LA
Environmental Pollution Lawsuit: Louisiana Superfund SitesLouisiana Superfund Site - Fight Environmental Pollution Legally.
