Announcement

**Emily** · August 3, 2012, 07:21 PM

Re: Latest: Trees collapsing in slurry that smells like diesel (Officials investigate bayou gas bubbles and earthquakes in Assumption Parish, Louisiana )

http://theadvocate.com/home/3527104-...orms-in-swamps

Evacuations ordered near "slurry area" in Assumption

BY David j. mitchell

River Parishes bureau

August 03, 2012
0 Comments

BAYOU CORNE ? Assumption Parish officials are ordering an immediate evacuation of the Bayou Corne area, effective immediately, parish Police Jury President Marty Triche said Friday evening.

He said that after speaking with Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and Governor?s Office officials, that he was advised there is a risk that the slurry area appears to be expanding and there is a risk, though not probable that the area could expand to a size of about 2,000 feet across.

Triche said authorities are concerned that if the slurry area expands to that extent, it could affect natural gas wells, water wells and other wells working the nearby Napoleonville salt dome.

Trich added that sheriff?s deputies would not make area residents move, but he was issuing a mandatory evacauation similar to one that would go out if a hurricane threatens the area...

**Emily** · August 3, 2012, 08:47 PM

Re: Latest: Mandatory evacuations ordered - Trees collapsing in slurry that smells like diesel (Officials investigate bayou gas bubbles and earthquakes in Assumption Parish, Louisiana )

http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20...1223?p=1&tc=pg

by Taboola

Bayou Corne evacuation ordered after sinkhole forms
Published: Friday, August 3, 2012 at 8:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, August 3, 2012 at 8:15 p.m.

A mandatory evacuation is under way tonight in Bayou Corne because an acre-and-a-half wide sinkhole is expanding, authorities said.
[snip]
State Department of Natural Resources officials have determined that the potential failure of an inactive salt-mining cavern near the area, which was closed in 2011, is likely the cause of the sinkhole and recent bubbling.

The cavern was never used for storage of natural gas, but naturally occurring gas may have accumulated in the cavern when it was no longer active.

http://www.wafb.com/story/19189790/l...ubbles-spotted

Homes evacuated near giant sink hole
Posted: Aug 03, 2012 9:39 AM PDT Updated: Aug 03, 2012 6:35 PM PDT
WAFB Staff - email

Photos:
There were trees in the void in the center, now they are under the mud

Here you can see the tops of the trees under the mud

More trees appear to be leaning into the sink hole More trees appear to be leaning into the sink hole
(More photos at article link.)

BAYOU CORNE, LA (WAFB) -

The Assumption Sheriff's Office says 150 homes near a sinkhole in the Bayou Corne area have been evacuated.
[snip]
Officials said they don't think LA 70 will need to close, but that could change.

The Red Cross is working with the Assumption Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to open a shelter for displaced residents.

Governor Jindal issued an executive proclamation Friday evening, allowing the Governor's Office of Homeland Security to help if parish leaders need assistance.

There's more on the status of the possible salt cavern link in the article.

**Emily** · August 3, 2012, 10:05 PM

Re: Latest: Mandatory evacuations ordered - Trees collapsing in slurry that smells like diesel (Officials investigate bayou gas bubbles and earthquakes in Assumption Parish, Louisiana )

http://theadvocate.com/home/3527104-...orms-in-swamps

BY David j. Mitchell
River Parishes bureau
August 03, 2012
[snip]
The American Red Cross announced late Friday it is opening a shelter Saturday morning in Assumption Parish after officials called for an evacuation of the Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou areas.

Volunteers plan to open the shelter at 8 a.m. at Belle Rose Middle School in the community of Belle Rose.

?Evacuated residents who are unable to stay with friends or relatives are welcome at the Red Cross shelter,? Red Cross spokeswoman Nancy Malone said in a news advisory.

?Make sure to bring required medications and food for any special dietary needs. The Red Cross has been coordinating with parish officials throughout the day, as well as working with local partners,? Malone said..

There are more photos of the affected area at the link.

**Emily** · August 4, 2012, 06:08 PM

Re: Latest: Mandatory evacuations ordered - Trees collapsing in slurry that smells like diesel (Officials investigate bayou gas bubbles and earthquakes in Assumption Parish, Louisiana )

http://theadvocate.com/news/3539861-123/pipeline-bent-from-sinkhole-la

Pipeline bent from sinkhole; La. 70 traffic to reroute
AVID J. MITCHELL

River Parishes bureau

August 04, 2012
0 Comments

BAYOU CORNE ? Assumption Parish officials said Saturday they discovered that powerful underground forces unleashed by formation of an acre-sized swampland sinkhole had bent and shifted an adjacent 36-inch natural gas pipeline.

As a result, the officials said, they plan to shut down traffic starting at 6 p.m. Saturday over a four-mile stretch of La. 70 South in the Pierre Part and Bayou Corne communities...

Skytruth has what looks like the report to NRC early yesterday morning about the new problems:

SkyTruth Alerts

http://alerts.skytruth.org/report/cf59217d-4fec-3534-8dff-18711dc9fa91

http://www.nrc.uscg.mil/reports/rwservlet?standard_web+inc_seq=1019857

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="830"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td colspan="80" rowspan="15" width="764"><tt><tt>NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER 1-800-424-8802</tt>
<tt> *** For Public Use ***</tt>
<tt> Information released to a third party shall comply with any</tt>
<tt> applicable federal and/or state Freedom of Information and Privacy Laws</tt>
<tt> </tt>
<tt> Incident Report # 1019857</tt>
<tt> </tt>
<tt> </tt><tt>INCIDENT DESCRIPTION</tt>
<tt> </tt>
<tt>*Report taken at 09:12 on 03-AUG-12</tt>
</tt></td> <td colspan="2">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
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</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="79" rowspan="2" width="749"><tt>Incident Type: FIXED</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="68" rowspan="2" width="668"><tt><tt>Incident Cause: UNKNOWN
Affected Area:
</tt></tt></td> <td colspan="14">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="14">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="55" rowspan="2" width="565"><tt>The incident occurred on 03-AUG-12 at 06:00 local time.</tt></td> <td colspan="27">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="27">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="66" width="661"><tt>Affected Medium: AIR ATMOSPHERE</tt></td> <td colspan="16">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="75" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="22" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="21" rowspan="2" width="269"><tt>SUSPECTED RESPONSIBLE PARTY</tt></td> <td colspan="40">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="22" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="40">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="57" rowspan="2" width="609"><tt> </tt>
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</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="25">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="69" width="671"><tt> XX </tt></td> <td colspan="13">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="79" rowspan="3" width="749"> <tt> </tt>
<tt>Type of Organization: UNKNOWN</tt>
</td> <td colspan="3">
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</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
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</td> <td colspan="77" rowspan="2" width="719"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="5">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="5">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="24" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="19" width="229"><tt>INCIDENT LOCATION</tt></td> <td colspan="40">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="64" width="659"><tt>County: ASSUMPTION
City: BAYOU CORNE State: LA
</tt></td> <td colspan="18">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="64" width="659"><tt>BAYOU CORNE AREA IS CURRENTLY BOILING
</tt></td> <td colspan="18">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="75" width="709"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="12" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="40" rowspan="2" align="center" width="423"><tt> RELEASED MATERIAL(S)</tt></td> <td colspan="31">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="12" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="31">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="81" rowspan="2" width="769"><tt>CHRIS Code: UNK Official Material Name: UNKNOWN MATERIAL</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="69" rowspan="2" width="671"><tt>Also Known As: </tt></td> <td colspan="13">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="13">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="79" width="749"><tt>Qty Released: 0 UNKNOWN AMOUNT Qty in Water: 0 UNKNOWN AMOUNT</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="77" width="719"><tt>______________________________________________ __________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="5">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="23" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="20" width="249"><tt>DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT</tt></td> <td colspan="40">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="71" rowspan="3" width="679"> <tt>CALLER IS REPORTING A RELEASE OF AN UNKNOWN TYPE OF GAS COMING FROM THE SALT DOME. THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS IN THE AIR.</tt>
</td> <td colspan="11">
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</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="77" width="719"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="5">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="24" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="19" rowspan="2" width="229"><tt>INCIDENT DETAILS</tt></td> <td colspan="40">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="24" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="40">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="72" rowspan="11" width="681"> <tt><tt>Package: N/A
Building ID:
Type of Fixed Object: PRIVATE RESIDENCE
Power Generating Facility: NO
Generating Capacity:
Type of Fuel:
NPDES:
NPDES Compliance: UNKNOWN </tt>
</tt></td> <td colspan="10">
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</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
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</td> <td colspan="10">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="72" rowspan="2" width="681">
</td> <td colspan="10">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="10">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="72" rowspan="2" width="681">
</td> <td colspan="10">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="10">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="78" width="739"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="4">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="28" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="7" width="99"><tt>DAMAGES</tt></td> <td colspan="48">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="42" rowspan="2" width="509"><tt>Fire Involved: NO Fire Extinguished: UNKNOWN</tt></td> <td colspan="37">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="37">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="6" rowspan="2" width="110"><tt>INJURIES: </tt></td> <td colspan="6">
</td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2" width="29"><tt>NO </tt></td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="6" rowspan="2" width="125"><tt>Hospitalized: </tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td rowspan="2" width="39"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="8" rowspan="2" width="98"><tt>Empl/Crew: </tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2" width="39"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="10" rowspan="2" align="right" width="100"><tt>Passenger:</tt></td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="8" rowspan="2" width="29"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="12">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="6">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="2">
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</td> <td colspan="12">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="7" rowspan="2" width="111"><tt>FATALITIES: </tt></td> <td colspan="4">
</td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2" width="29"><tt>NO </tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="5" rowspan="2" width="98"><tt>Empl/Crew: </tt></td> <td colspan="5">
</td> <td rowspan="2" width="39"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="8" rowspan="2" width="98"><tt>Passenger: </tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2" width="39"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="11" rowspan="2" align="right" width="102"><tt>Occupant:</tt></td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="8" rowspan="2" width="29"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="11">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="4">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="5">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="11">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="11" rowspan="2" width="116"><tt>EVACUATIONS: </tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2" width="29"><tt>NO </tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="9" rowspan="2" width="134"><tt>Who Evacuated: </tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="6" rowspan="2" width="109"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="16" rowspan="2" width="116"><tt>Radius/Area: </tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="12" rowspan="2" width="119"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="17">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="17">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="7" rowspan="2" width="111"><tt>Damages: </tt></td> <td colspan="4">
</td> <td colspan="11" rowspan="2" width="176"><tt>NO </tt></td> <td colspan="57">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="4">
</td> <td colspan="57">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="28">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="39" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="15" width="94"><tt>Length of</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="13" width="116"><tt>Direction of</tt></td> <td colspan="15">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="13" width="125"><tt>Closure Type</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="14" rowspan="2" width="228"><tt>Description of Closure</tt></td> <td colspan="7">
</td> <td colspan="10" align="center" width="83"><tt>Closure</tt></td> <td colspan="6">
</td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2" align="center" width="79"><tt>Closure</tt></td> <td colspan="24">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="2" rowspan="2" width="86"><tt>Air: </tt></td> <td colspan="12">
</td> <td colspan="8">
</td> <td colspan="7" rowspan="2" width="69"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="8">
</td> <td colspan="24">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="5" width="19"><tt>N</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="22" width="311"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="36">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="60" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="14" rowspan="3" align="center" width="69"> <tt>Major Artery:</tt>
</td> <td colspan="9">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="2" rowspan="2" width="86"><tt>Road: </tt></td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="5" rowspan="2" width="19"><tt>N</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="22" rowspan="2" width="311"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="10" rowspan="2" width="79"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> <td rowspan="2" width="39"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="9">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="2" rowspan="2" width="9"><tt>N</tt></td> <td colspan="6">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="75" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="6">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="88"><tt>Waterway: </tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="2" rowspan="2" width="16"><tt>N</tt></td> <td colspan="6">
</td> <td colspan="22" rowspan="2" width="311"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="10" rowspan="2" width="79"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="33">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="6">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="33">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="2" rowspan="2" width="84"><tt>Track: </tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="5" rowspan="2" width="19"><tt>N</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="22" rowspan="2" width="311"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="10" rowspan="2" width="79"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> <td rowspan="2" width="39"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="25">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> <td colspan="25">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="83" height="19">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="2" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="64" width="659"><tt>Passengers Transferred: NO </tt></td> <td colspan="17">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="64" width="659"><tt>Environmental Impact: UNKNOWN </tt></td> <td colspan="18">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="2" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="64" width="659"><tt>Media Interest: NONE Community Impact due to Material: </tt></td> <td colspan="17">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="830"> <tbody><tr><td width="20">
</td><td width="2">
</td><td width="1">
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</td><td width="10">
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</td><td width="10">
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</td><td width="20">
</td><td width="40">
</td><td width="64">
</td><td width="11">
</td><td width="8">
</td><td width="51">
</td><td width="11">
</td><td width="34">
</td><td width="5">
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</td><td width="10">
</td><td width="2">
</td><td width="1">
</td><td width="27">
</td><td width="3">
</td><td width="7">
</td><td width="101">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="31" rowspan="2" width="699"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="19" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="7" width="219"><tt>REMEDIAL ACTIONS</tt></td> <td colspan="9">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="28" rowspan="2" width="669"><tt>PARISH IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTIONS AT THIS TIME.</tt></td> <td colspan="6">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="6">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="28" rowspan="2" width="669"><tt>Release Secured: UNKNOWN
Release Rate:
Estimated Release Duration:
</tt></td> <td colspan="6">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="6">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="31" rowspan="2" width="699"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="20" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="83"><tt>WEATHER</tt></td> <td colspan="12">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="20" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="12">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="35" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="28" width="669"><tt>Weather: CLEAR, ?F </tt></td> <td colspan="4">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="31" rowspan="2" width="699"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="35" height="9">
</td></tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="15" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="11" width="269"><tt>ADDITIONAL AGENCIES NOTIFIED</tt></td> <td colspan="9">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="6" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>Federal:</tt></td> <td colspan="4">
</td> <td colspan="17" rowspan="2" width="529"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="4">
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="9" rowspan="2" width="129"><tt>State/Local:</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="17" rowspan="2" width="529"><tt>LOCAL PARISH</tt></td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="13" width="209"><tt>State/Local On Scene:</tt></td> <td colspan="2">
</td> <td colspan="12" width="439"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="12" rowspan="2" width="199"><tt>State Agency Number:</tt></td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="12" rowspan="2" width="439"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3">
</td> <td colspan="7">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="18" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="8" width="239"><tt>NOTIFICATIONS BY NRC</tt></td> <td colspan="9">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S DEPT (CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>DOT CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>U.S. EPA VI (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:21</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>FLD INTEL SUPPORT TEAM NEW ORLEANS (SUPERVISOR, FIST NEW ORLEANS)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>JFO-LA (COMMAND CENTER)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>JFO-LA (FEMA JFO LA)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>LA DEPT OF ENV QUAL (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>LA DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURSES (OFFICE OF CONSERVATION)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>LA DEPT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>LA GOV OFFICE HS AND EMERGENCY PREP (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>LA GOV OFFICE HS AND EMERGENCY PREP (SOUTHEAST LA REGIONAL COORDINATOR)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>LA OFFICE OF GOV (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>LA OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>MSU MORGAN CITY (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:42</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE COORD CTR (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>NOAA RPTS FOR LA (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>SECTOR NEW ORLEANS (MSU BATON ROUGE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" rowspan="2" width="709"><tt>LA STATE POLICE (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>LA STATE POLICE (ANALYTICAL AND FUSION EXCHANGE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td height="9">
</td> <td colspan="33" width="709"><tt>USCG DISTRICT 8 (MAIN OFFICE)</tt></td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="89"><tt>03-AUG-12</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2" width="49"><tt>09:20</tt></td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="5" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="23">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="2" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="31" rowspan="2" width="700"><tt>______________________________________________ ______________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="2">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="2" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="17" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="9" width="249"><tt>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION</tt></td> <td colspan="9">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="4" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="26" width="666"><tt> </tt>
</td> <td colspan="5">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="30" rowspan="2" width="699"><tt>______________________________________________ _____________________________</tt></td> <td colspan="2">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="3" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="2">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="6" height="9">
</td> <td colspan="15" rowspan="2" align="right" width="298"><tt>*** END INCIDENT REPORT # </tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="2" rowspan="2" width="59"><tt>1019857</tt></td> <td>
</td> <td colspan="2" rowspan="2" width="39"><tt>*** </tt></td> <td colspan="8">
</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td colspan="6" height="9">
</td> <td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Emily** · August 6, 2012, 06:01 AM

Re: Latest: Pipelines shutdown, LA-70 re-opened, mandatory evacuations - Trees collapsing in slurry that smells like diesel (Officials investigate bayou gas bubbles and earthquakes in Assumption Parish, Louisiana )

4 pipelines are shutdown now.

http://theadvocate.com/home/3547825-...umption-parish

by robert stewart

Advocate staff writer

August 06, 2012
0 Comments

A Texas company is bringing in geologists and geo-mechanical experts Monday morning to begin examining an inactive salt mine cavern in Assumption Parish to see if it is the cause of a massive sinkhole and natural gas bubbles recently found in two bayous.

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources officials said they believe the inactive and plugged salt cavern well owned by Texas Brine Co. LLC of Houston may have failed and could be the cause of the sinkhole that formed overnight Thursday, leaving behind a large slurry....

Not all residents are evacuating yet. There was a gas well blowout in Mississippi in July that released noxious gas, and the company immediately paid for nearby residents to stay at a hotel until they could fix the problem. So far in this situation, even if someone wants to evacuate they either have to pay for their own expenses, or stay in the shelter.

http://theadvocate.com/home/3527104-...orms-in-swamps

[snip]
Linda Cavalier, 52, of Bayou Corne, said the foul odor irritated her eyes and nose on her way to work 7 a.m. Friday.

After listening to Triche and other parish officials Friday evening, Linda Cavalier said she and her husband, Wallace, 57, planned to evacuate.

But Wallace Cavalier said they just moved to the Bayou Corne area three months ago and do not have the money to move away.

?So we don?t know where we?re going. We don?t have the money to go,? he said. ?I have no idea, but we got to get out of here.?

One older man said he is afraid being cooped up in a hotel room will be more stressful than staying in his home in Bayou Corne. Some people are reported to have left and returned with semi trucks and have cut power and plumbing to their manufactured homes and just moved them out of the area already.

Here's an informative paper about salt dome caverns and other issues involved in living near or on old oilfields:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr605.pdf

Some recent comments by residents:
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**Emily** · August 7, 2012, 03:15 AM

Re: Latest: Suspicion narrows about the cause of damages in Bayou Corne area

The liquefaction is believed to reach 381 feet below the ground now. A gas well is menaced. The article below also has more details about stress and financial costs incurred by residents of the area. About 50% of the community has not evacuated. No help in paying for relocation costs has been offered from potentially involved corporate entities.

http://theadvocate.com/home/3560051-...water-analyzed

Sinkhole water analyzed

Presence of salt, diesel fuel may be link to salt cavern

by David J. Mitchell

River Parishes bureau

August 07, 2012

**Emily** · August 7, 2012, 07:09 PM

Re: Latest: Butane storage cavern could be affected by catastropic salt cavern collapse in Bayou Corne area

Sinkhole bubbles have become more prolific since Saturday.

The bigger concern is a cavern about 1,500 feet from the sinkhole that contains butane and could cause an explosion felt up to two miles away.

Residents are gathering today for a meeting with officials.

**Emily** · August 9, 2012, 05:51 AM

Re: Latest: Bayou Corne area salt cavern troubles hidden since 2011; radioactive waste dumped there in 1995; Louisiana DNR head abruptly resigns

http://theadvocate.com/news/3580029-...ues-kept-quiet

Ongoing defect preceded sinkhole

By DAVID J. MITCHELL

River Parishes bureau

August 09, 2012
0 Comments

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and Texas Brine Co. officials knew at least since January 2011 that one of the company?s salt dome caverns may have developed problems now suspected of possibly causing a large sinkhole and unexplained natural gas venting in northern Assumption Parish swamps.
[snip]
Boudreaux, who is the incident commander for the gas bubbles, sinkhole and other issues in Bayou Corne, began fielding calls about 6 a.m. Friday about the diesel smell, determined a half-hour later to be from the sink hole.

He said the Texas Brine letter is news to him.

?They have never told me anything. We have been fighting this since it began, and this is very concerning to me,? Boudreaux said.
[snip]
DNR records show that on Aug. 31, 1995, the agency authorized Texas Brine to dispose of 20 cubic feet of naturally occurring radioactive material by pumping it into the cavern and another Texas Brine salt cavern in Lafourche Parish. (Read letter.)

A Texas Brine letter dated Aug. 25, 1995, requesting the disposal says the radioactive ?scale? had accumulated in soils around the two cavern wells. (Read letter.)

The radioactivity of scale, a common byproduct of oil and gas exploration and production, can vary widely from background levels to much higher, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says...

Jindal's natural resources secretary resigns
Posted: Aug 8, 2012 4:16 PM

**Emily** · August 10, 2012, 02:37 AM

Re: Latest: Bayou Corne area salt cavern troubles hidden since 2011; radioactive waste dumped there in 1995; Louisiana DNR head abruptly resigns

National/Global media are picking up on this story:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/09/us/lou...ole/index.html

Louisiana probes cause of massive bayou sinkhole
By Melissa Gray, CNN
updated 10:55 PM EDT, Thu August 9, 2012
[snip]
"DNR failed to report to anybody that this cavern could be the source of the bubbles," Landry said.

"I'm very upset about it. A lot of local residents are upset about it," he said. "I feel like I've been betrayed by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources."

One resident told CNN affiliate WAFB, "Somebody at DNR should have woke up and realized, hey, remember this salt dome, this salt cavern that had a problem, maybe we should be looking at that. That's a little bit upsetting."

Said the sheriff, "DNR has lost all credibility with me."...
[snip]
Landry flew over the sinkhole the other day and said diesel and other chemicals are floating on top of the sludge. Some of the tall cypress trees that fell in are now floating on top of the hole because of the buoyancy of the salty water, he said....

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,2527136.story

Louisiana sinkhole roils local natural gas network

Jeanine Prezioso Reuters

5:03 p.m. CDT, August 8, 2012

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A sinkhole the size of a football field in southern Louisiana has forced energy companies to halt nearby natural gas pipeline activity and draw down fuel from a local storage cavern.

Chevron Corp's subsidiary Bridgeline Holdings declared force majeure on new injections into its salt dome storage facility near the sinkhole and the town of Napoleonville, through the rest of the year, according to notice to customers posted on its website....

More detail from local environmentalists and human rights activists:

http://leanweb.org/our-work/communit...corne-sinkhole

Bayou Corne Sinkhole
Post: August 09 2012 in: Public Health
Oxy Geismar Well No. 3 (serial number: 180708) is the cause of the sink hole.
The well was first permitted in April 15, 1982 for the mining of salt water brine from the Napoleonville Salt Dome.
In 1995 Texas brine recieved permission from Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to pump soil contaminated with Naturally Occouring Radioactive Material (NORM) into the well.
In early September 2010, Texas Brine began reworking the cavern well, milling a section of salt higher than the existing cavern roof, at 3,400 feet deep, to see if the upper strata could be mined. A DNR permit for that work was issued in May 2010.
In 2011 the well failed a pressure test showing that the integrity of the well had been lost. Texas Brine Company sent a letter to Louisiana Department of Natural Resources reporting the failed test and expressing concern over the possibility that "a breach out of the salt dome appears possible."...

http://www.southernstudies.org/2012/...community.html

Mysterious environmental disaster unfolding in Louisiana bayou community atop gas storage caves
Facing South

By Karen Savage, Bridge the Gulf

Ashley Alleman and her husband knew something was wrong months ago. Amid reports of unexplained bubbling in nearby Bayou Corne, they?d been feeling strange rumblings beneath their home, rumblings they?d never felt before....

**Emily** · August 11, 2012, 05:26 AM

Re: Latest: Significance of Bayou Corne area salt cavern troubles picked up by global media

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/08/10/s...nts-still-mad/

Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:45 am by Associated Press in Natural Gas
[snip]
?It?s what I?ve been saying all along, that they?ve been hiding things,? Rousseau said. ?I think our local officials are trying to do the best they can, but I think they?re being hindered by the higher-ups hiding things.?

Rousseau said he was especially worried after a parish official had him fill out a form asking him to list his next of kin Thursday morning.

?That?s a little disturbing to me. They said it?s in case they can?t reach us to evacuate. But I mean, come on. They can reach everyone,? he said....

**mixin** · August 12, 2012, 12:27 PM

Re: Latest: Assumption Parish officials asking residents in sinkhole region to fill out next-of-kin forms

Thanks for keeping on top of this.

The LEAN link you posted, http://leanweb.org/our-work/communit...corne-sinkhole, has a map showing the contours of the salt dome at 10,000' and 1000' depths, as well as the sink hole, the bubble sites, the problem-causing Oxy Geismar Well No. 3, the brine wells, the gas storage wells and the plugged/abandoned wells.

That's amazing what all is going on underground. I wonder how many people knew that before LEAN?

So, as of last Thurs., Aug 9, the sinkhole had grown another 10-20'. I wonder if that's a lot or just a little in terms of growth rates to worry about.

It was also noted that the diesel fuel present at the site is from the "diesel blanket;" a layer of diesel fuel put into the brine filled cavern to protect the cavern roof and steel well casings.

**Emily** · August 13, 2012, 05:38 PM

Re: Latest: Assumption Parish officials asking residents in sinkhole region to fill out next-of-kin forms

That's amazing what all is going on underground. I wonder how many people knew that before LEAN?

That is a good map and I was amazed, too. There is a new article in The Advocate examining the potential for chemical plants in the region to lose power from the gas pipeline disruption that discusses the denseness of underground network there.

http://theadvocate.com/news/3601965-...eline-closures

Plants adapt to pipeline closures
BY TED GRIGGS
Advocate business writer
August 13, 2012
[snip]
Born? declined to name the plants affected.

The southern part of Louisiana is ?a virtual megasite? when it comes to moving things underground, Born? said.

?That?s something that?s very positive for the state. There were ways to work around the issue, thank goodness,? he said...

They have another new article about the relief well Texas Brine has been mandated to drill:

http://theadvocate.com/news/3623924-...ermit-to-drill

And another article about Texas Brine pledging to contribute to a relief fund for evacuees. (DNR revealed this was mandated by the original cavern mining permit back in the 1980's.):

http://theadvocate.com/news/3609039-...lp-assumptions

**mixin** · August 14, 2012, 11:16 AM

Re: Latest: Assumption Parish officials asking residents in sinkhole region to fill out next-of-kin forms

From your linked sites:

Texas Brine to look for cause of sinkhole

* have identified the abandoned cavern in the 1-by-3-mile Napoleonville Dome as the most likely cause of the sinkhole

* The cavern starts 3,400' under the earth, is about 310 feet at its widest at the bottom and about 5,650 feet deep. The sinkhole is ~200 feet away.

* The sinkhole surface is 375 feet across, that diameter means the surface area is closer 2.5 acres, larger than earlier reports.

* there are shallow points and deep points; those may be cracks that go deeper than the rest of the sinkhole.

* the deepest point is close to where the bubbling is.

http://theadvocate.com/news/3623924-123/relief-well-permit-granted

**********************

Good pics at this link, along with some interesting comments:

* The wall of salt between the brine cavern and the salt dome might be thinner than experts were led to believe

* this sinkhole was unusual because it sits on the edge of the dome, when sinkholes normally sit right on top.

* scientists have speculated that the 372-foot-wide and 422-foot-deep sinkhole might be related to structural problems within the cavern, he said.

Enormous 400ft deep Louisiana sinkhole swallows 100ft tall trees and raises concerns of explosions and radiation leaks

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2186880/Louisiana-sinkhole-Enormous-400ft-deep-hole-swallows-100ft-tall-trees-raises-concerns-explosions.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

A massive 400-foot deep sinkhole that has opened up in a Louisiana bayou has swallowed all of the 100-foot trees in the surrounding area and led to mandatory evacuation orders

**Emily** · August 15, 2012, 08:02 PM

Re: Latest: Bayou Corne sinkhole grows to 476 feet by 640 feet as caravan of massive drilling equipment arrives

Photo from Assumption Parish blog
http://assumptionla.wordpress.com/

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http://www.amitetoday.com/view/full_story/19816192/article-State-Police-escort-emergency-drilling-equipment-in-Grad-Bayou-for-sinkhole-help?instance=secondary_news_left_column

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State Police escort emergency drilling equipment in Grad Bayou for sinkhole help
5 hrs ago
Read more: Tangilena.com

http://theadvocate.com/home/3642925-...arts-arrive-at

Drilling rig parts arrive at Assumption sinkhole site
By Bret H. McCormick
River Parishes bureau

August 15, 2012

The first trucks carrying parts to assemble a drilling rig in the Bayou Corne area started arriving on Wednesday...

There's a video at the link below:

BRProud.com

http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/local-news/people-living-in-the-bayou-corne-community-say-theyre-ready-for-awnsers

BRProud.com partners with WGMB FOX 44 and WVLA NBC Local 33 to bring you the latest in Baton Rouge news, sports, weather, and more.

People living in the Bayou Corne community say they're ready for awnsers
Local News
Kris Cusanza Reporter
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 7:10pm
[snip]
"Backfire on them you're talking about putting a rig in there," said Bayou Corne resident Ernest Boudreaux Jr. "What's to say that the rig isn't going to go down in it. That hole can come across the highway at any time."

Published on Aug 15, 2012 by assumptionla
"In this video, you see clean up contractors working inside the sinkhole. Please note that the tree falling in the video was cut, as others have been to make way for an access road that is being constructed to haul debris out":

**mixin** · August 16, 2012, 01:28 PM

Re: Latest: Bayou Corne sinkhole grows to 476 feet by 640 feet as caravan of massive drilling equipment arrives

Aug 14
Interview with Dr. Horton, seismologist with the University of Memphis who monitors the New Madrid fault line as well as this disaster:

* he thinks it's a "real possibility" that the fossil fuel industries? environmental modifications have caused instabilities that resulted in this disaster

* seismometers picked up thousands of quakes in the Assumption Parish disaster area since June

* "On July 24th, the number of quakes went up hundreds or thousands or so a day until August 2nd when they stopped,? Horton said. ?The next day, August 3rd, the sinkhole occurred ? that morning."

* the quakes ended when the sinkhole developed but seismic signals persist

Examiner is back - Examiner.com

http://www.examiner.com/article/louisiana-sinkhole-bubbles-1000s-quakes-link-to-oil-gas-enmod

Examiner has transformed into a major player in financial news. Think stocks, crypto, banks - if it's about money, it's on Examiner.com.

*********************************
Aug 14
State Requests Updated Plan from Crosstex about Butane Storage Cavern
* Crosstex operates storage cavern that contains 940,000 barrels of butane, which is located 1,600 feet from the sinkhole.

* the Department of Environmental Quality formally requested an updated risk management plan and worst case scenario from Crosstex.

* the updated worst case analysis should be based on the current contents of Cavern #2 at the company?s Napoleonville site, with an
analysis consistent with the release of the largest amount of butane in the vessel.

Not Found

http://www.kfolkjun.com/htv/NewsBlog/tabid/71/EntryId/1381/State-Requests-Updated-Plan-from-Crosstex-about-Butane-Storage-Cavern.aspx

***********************
Sinkhole: H-Bomb explosion equivalent in Bayou Corne possible

* If ignited, the butane well would release as much explosive energy as 100 Hiroshima bombs, Deborah Dupr?'s scientist sources told her Sunday.

There's a nuke map in this article detailing how areas would be affected, with a following explanation of the differences between a butane explosion and an H-bomb.

Examiner is back - Examiner.com

http://www.examiner.com/article/sinkhole-h-bomb-explosion-equivalent-bayou-corne-possible

Examiner has transformed into a major player in financial news. Think stocks, crypto, banks - if it's about money, it's on Examiner.com.

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Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012-2015

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