BEGGS, La. (KLFY) – St. Landry Parish President Bill Fontenot is strongly against an ‘Eagle Oil’ permit, for a salt water injection disposal facility well near the Beggs community.
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation held a public hearing on the proposed facility, Thursday evening.
More than 200 St. Landry Parish residents and elected leaders, spoke for hours against the proposal.
Fontenot says this injection well would be devastating to the community and a lot more.
Especially if the Chicot aquifer, which is the massive ground water system that stretches almost the entire heel of Louisiana’s geographic boot, is compromised.
“And that’s why we’re expecting the Office of Conservation to say ‘no’ to this project,” said Fontenot.
The Chief Executive of the Parish is putting his foot down, on the possible facility being constructed along Highway 182.
“They just need a space to put it (chemicals). They need a space to dispose of it,” he said.
An injection well holds fluid deep underground.
The fluid may be water, wastewater, salt water or water mixed with chemicals.
The fluid may be water, wastewater, salt water or water mixed with chemicals.
Fontenot says over time, he believes those hazardous chemicals could possibly compromise the ground water system, known as the chicot aquifer.
Along with turning the quaint community in his Parish, into a constant and noisy construction zone.
Along with turning the quaint community in his Parish, into a constant and noisy construction zone.
“Very hazardous, very damaging to our highways, very unpleasant and devastating to the community,” said Fontenot.
The size of the facility itself would be roughly 5.1 acres, but within a 10 acre lease area, which is already designated wetlands by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Residents who live in the area say simply, this is not the right place for the project.
Residents who live in the area say simply, this is not the right place for the project.
“They’re projecting about a 100 trucks a day, up and down this road. That means the trucks coming in and out, so you really have 200 trucks a day,” said Collon Kennedy, who’s family lives near the proposed construction site.
Residents also fear that the injection well could harm not only the water, but pollute the air.
And they’re nervous about the potential 30 year lease agreement.
“Onne of our concerns is, that the way the application is written, injection waste, fracking injection waste, could be received from anywhere in the United States and even beyond. Besides that, the application is written in such a way, that the operation could continue forever,” said Charlotte Lahaye, a concerned resident in the community.
The Office of Conservation would have to approve a permit for ‘Eagle Oil’ to begin construciton on the injetion well.
No real time table as to when that decision will be reached.
Fontenot says if the Office approves the permit, he believes a class action suit will be filed, which he would support.
He also doesn’t think the company will create any new jobs in the area.
We contacted ‘Eagle Oil’ for a comment, but have not heard back yet.
