A letter to Colonel Richard Wagenaar of the US Army Corps of Engineers

September 8, 2006
32365 Doc Dean Street
White Castle, LA 70788

Colonel Richard P. Wagenaar
District Engineer, New Orleans
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267

Dear Colonel Wagenaar,

The Louisiana Environmental Justice Community Organizations Coalition (LEJCOC) is a state-wide coalition formed to investigate and address the needs and concerns of Louisiana’s Environmental Justice Communities, be they environmental, social, economic or political. We do this by building collaborations among grassroots communities, stakeholders, technical assistance organizations, and academic institutions. The collaborations then identify, investigate and develop and implement solutions for community concerns.

As a coalition of 14 grassroots community organizations, LEJCOC has its ear to the ground and proudly represents the voice of Environmental Justice Communities. On behalf of Environmental Justice Communities in Plaquemines, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. James, St. John the Baptist, Iberville, Orleans, Jefferson, Assumption, Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, and St. Charles Parish, LEJCOC urges implementation of the Alligator Bend Marsh Creation (Restoration) and Shoreline Protection project.

LEJCOC was formed because many grassroots Environmental Justice Community Organizations in Louisiana realized the interconnectedness of the environmental problems throughout the Region. LEJCOC understands coastal erosion to be a Regional problem.

As I am sure you are aware, if the Alligator Bend Marsh Creation (Restoration) and Shoreline Protection project is not implemented, the wetland bridge separating Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne will disintegrate. The loss of this separation will result in increased vulnerability to high-energy winds and waves causing further wetland loss and flooding. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is an important part of many Environmental Justice Communities’ well-being. In addition to supporting the local economies, subsistence fishers and hunters depend on the current aquatic and wildlife that flourish in these wetlands and lakes.

We hope you will urgently implement the Alligator Bend Marsh Creation (Restoration) and Shoreline Protection project to protect the environment and the people of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.

From inside the struggle,

Albertha Hasten
President, Advocacy Commissioner
LEJCOC