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.