Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Willow Springs, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1990-11-09

Duration: 00:21:05

Subjects: Environment | HAZARDOUS WASTES

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Sheperd, Ruth Interviewee
• Ieyoub, Richard Interviewee
• Welsh, Jim Interviewee
• Beglis, Louis Interviewee
• Kirkland, Lee Ann Interviewee
• Hanson, Brad Interviewee
• Fontenot, Willie Interviewee

This segment from the November 9, 1990, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Jeff Duhe’s report on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) controversial decision to grant a permit to BFI-Seacoast for an injection well at their Calcasieu Parish facility. Duhe reports that the residents in Willow Springs are upset because they believe the hazardous waste from the injection well has migrated into their drinking water. He interviews: Ruth Sheperd, Willow Springs resident; District Attorney Richard Ieyoub of Calcasieu Parish; Jim Welsh of the State Office of Conservation; and Louis “Neg” Beglis, the president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. Robert Collins then leads a panel discussion with: Lee Ann Kirkland of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network; Brad Hanson of the Louisiana Geological Survey; and Willie Fontenot, the environmental investigator with the Attorney General’s office. They discuss their differing views on the safety of deep well injection.