For Immediate Release
Gas Bubbles in the Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou Areas
La. Highway 70 will continue to be closed throughout the evening with
the possibility of being opened at midnight.
The process of depressurizing the lines is going well but taking a
little longer than expected.
State and Parish officials, including the Department of
Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, State Police, the
Louisiana National Guard, along with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security
and Emergency Preparedness, the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office and the
Assumption Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
continue to be engaged in on site monitoring of all bubble locations and the
slurry site. A mandatory evacuation is
still in order for residents in the area of Randy Rousseau’s home south to the
Bayou Corne Community. The shelter at
the Belle Rose Middle School Gym remains open.
The Department of Natural Resources has confirmed Texas
Brine, Inc. has communicated their willingness to cooperate with the Emergency
Order issued by the Commissioner of Conservation on Friday evening.
Parish, State and facility owners within the area will be
briefing the community, Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph the Worker
Catholic Church Hall in Pierre Part, located on Highway 70.
If anyone has information on bubbling locations or about a
potential origin of the gas, please contact the Assumption Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness at (985) 369-7386.