On Wednesday, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and officials from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality briefed the public on the ongoing cleanup efforts at Smitty's Supply in Roseland, where a fire and explosions on August 22 released millions of gallons of contaminants into nearby waterways. According to Fox8Live, approximately 4 million gallons of contaminated liquid have been removed, but 25 percent of the residue remains.
Amidst residents' concerns about air quality and the condition of canals, Landry, during the conference held at the Tangipahoa Parish Council Chambers, reiterated the state's commitment to fast-tracking the cleanup process, stating, "Change is coming, and it's long overdue. It’s what folks in Tangipahoa deserve." as reported by WWLTV. More than 7 million gallons of contaminated liquid have been collected from various sites, including Lees Landing, using underflow dams, marsh mats, and vacuum trucks in the uninterrupted cleanup efforts conducted by EPA Region 6 crews.
The necessity of this work became particularly urgent following viral footage depicting the Tangipahoa River blackened by contamination, which led Landry to demand a faster cleanup, an incident covered by WGNO. In response to ongoing activities, the EPA has employed additional measures to prevent further discharge and facilitate access for heavy equipment.
Residents have been urged to stay informed, and to report any environmental or health concerns to local authorities, as crews continue to ship off the already collected 4,065,000 gallons of contaminated material for proper disposal, a staggering figure amidst charred tanks and petroleum-coated waterways evidenced by drone footage, not to mention the round-the-clock endeavors taken by the officials and the community to halt the spread of the pollutants to protect the Louisiana landscape and its inhabitants. WWLTV also emphasized in their reporting the ongoing nature of the cleanup operations and the various maritime control technologies in use.
