Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2021-02-24

Duration: 00:57:02

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Litter (Trash) | RECYCLING | Environment

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Erwin, Barry Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Johnson, Ben Producer
• Kuehny, Jeffrey Interviewee
• Russell, Susan Panelist
• Riegel, Stephanie Panelist
• Benfield, Mark Panelist
• Brown, Chuck Interviewee
• Boulet, Monique Panelist
• Kimble, Garrett Panelist
• Simon, Nikita Panelist
• Moore, Rick Panelist
• Ream, Margaret Interviewee
• Curtis, Donna Interviewee
• Constantin, Marie Panelist
• Rainey, Steffek Panelist
• Robichaux, Alma Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from February 24, 2021, features Barry Erwin leading a discussion with panelists on litter in Louisiana. The first segment focuses on the extent of the litter problem in Louisiana and includes an interview with Dr. Jeffrey Kuehny, the director of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens in Baton Rouge. The panelists are: Susan Russell, the executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful; Stephanie Riegel, the editor of the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report; and Dr. Mark Benfield of the LSU Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences. They discuss: the lack of a comprehensive statewide strategy for litter prevention and litter abatement; litter hotspots; the state spending $40 million a year on litter abatement; the research into pandemic-related litter; Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s educational and grant programs; and Baton Rouge’s lack of compliance with providing a litter abatement plan in their federally-mandated stormwater management plan. The second segment focuses on the role of local and state governments in combating litter and includes an interview with Dr. Chuck Brown, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The panelists are: Monique Boulet, the CEO of the Acadiana Planning Commission; Sergeant Garrett Kimble of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF); Nikita Simon, an environmental compliance specialist with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD); and Constable Rick Moore of St. Tammany Parish. They discuss: the Louisiana Watershed Initiative; the impact of litter on the health and habitat of the state’s wildlife and fisheries; DOTD’s role in stormwater management; the litter court in St. Tammany Parish; the successful management of Bayou Vermilion; litter penalties; DOTD’s Adopt-a-Road program; and the ways to report litter. The third and final segment focuses on the role of citizens in combating Louisiana’s litter problem and includes interviews with Dr. Margaret Ream of the LSU College of the Coast and Environment and Donna Curtis of Shreveport Green. The panelists are: Marie Constantin, photographer and community activist; Steffek Rainey of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC); and Alma Robichaux of the Louisiana Recycling Coalition. They discuss: the project to clean up Capitol Lake in Baton Rouge; the work of LYAC’s environment committee; Louisiana’s 6% recycling rate; successful projects in other states; getting the youth involved; and the increased cost of recycling. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Barry Erwin