Government officials plan to solve red dirt problem in Ascension Parish
BURNSIDE, La. (BRPROUD) — Ascension Parish government officials and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality are working with facility owner LAlumina LLC to solve the red dirt issue affecting residents.
Red dust blowing across parts of Ascension Parish has been an issue for several decades. Things got even worse when the Pelican Crossing subdivision was built.
“When the wind picks up strong, it gets pretty bad. I mean, you can’t next to see through it,” said Jeremy Burnett, a resident in Pelican Crossing.
Dry red dirt has been blowing onto nearby homes, causing a disturbance and property discoloration.
“You see it on vehicles, on any patio furniture, on the houses, the roofs themselves,” said Burnett.
Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment said the issue is houses were built too close to the LAlumina facility.
“As subdivisions continue to encroach on industrial areas, we begin to have more and more of these problems. That is the crucial part of zoning in creating buffers between them. It just didn’t happen in this case, unfortunately,” said Cointment.
Cointment said planning and patience are crucial for a project this large. He said there’s no room for mistakes. Adding, that a sprinkler system and wet materials are needed to keep dust blowing to a minimum.
Cointment said in a press conference that the project could cost millions and the parish government will use some of its manpower to help save money due to limited funds.
“When I say limited funds, it’s millions of dollars, but this is going to cost millions of dollars so we’re able to use parish resources and also implement it into the projects we have going on with our regional detention projects and some of our other drainage projects where we can supply the dirt and so that’s our component of it,” Cointment said. “I think that’s going to save a ton of money and to ensure that we stay on budget with the process, so that’s parish government.”
“This is a reimbursement through DEQ so we’re providing labor and dirt,” said Coinment.
Cointment said the next step in this 400-acre project is planning and phasing beginning with ponds four and five.
Ascension Parish and state officials survey the project site
Community concerns led to a meeting with LDEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto and Cointment to discuss potential solutions.
“As the leading authority on the health of Louisiana’s environment, LDEQ recognizes that this longstanding issue will require cooperation amongst all parties to be resolved expeditiously to alleviate the impact on the community’s residents and environment,” said Giacometto.
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An official press release said Giacometto visited the area to assess the situation and approved using a surveillance drone to survey the project site. An assessment will let officials know the extent of the issue, give cost estimates and help determine the next steps.
“Mitigating this issue requires a well-thought-out plan and approach,” Cointment said. “We appreciate the swift response and collaborative efforts from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Addressing this issue promptly is crucial for the well-being of our community, and we look forward to working together toward a resolution.”
Officials said residents can expect to get updates on project progress.
“I think what our residents need to know is we’re going to go and try to solve the issues and the problem spots first where the actual dust is coming from,” Cointment said in a press conference. “So the design and the implementation will be to help reduce that troubled spot on these mud lakes which is the drying off of of the red dirt and then that that allows it to to to get airborne.”
Cointment said they then have to work with the company they have to make sure that they’re on board with what they’re doing.
“The majority of the issue when it got real bad was in the drought of 2023 when we didn’t have any rainfall. DEQ coming on board, the checks and balances and the overseeing of the project to ensure that we do this right the first time,” said Cointment.
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