"Releases Reported In St. James Parish Over 14 Month Period"

"Over the course of 14 months, 37 chemical releases were reported to the Coast Guard's National Response Center by facilities or individuals in St. James Parish [Louisiana], according to an analysis by environmental advocacy groups. The list of releases ranged from reports of chemical smells to a large quantity of a known carcinogen emitted from a plastics manufacturer.

The analysis by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, H.E.L.P. Association, 350 New Orleans and L'eau est La Vie Camp concluded that accidental releases of chemicals into the air, water and soil were frequent in St. James Parish. A separate analysis by the Gulf Restoration Network concluded that the rate of releases was disproportionately high compared to the surrounding parishes.

The environmental groups say that the planned Bayou Bridge Pipeline will increase the number of incidents in the parish. "We are bearing a burden of pollution that is already too great," said Pastor Harry Joseph of the H.E.L.P. Association of St. James."

Sara Sneath reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune March 27, 2018.