KILLERS of PUBLIC PARTICIPATION-- ELECTED OFFICIALS

[Charlie Atherton <charlie@structurex.net>]

I can not find a better way to demonstrate the problems with public participation than with this letter that I received this morning.  

This letter says that this online dialog better figure out a way for the public to be a part of these secret meetings, and to require that all communications of an environmental nature, to and from elected officals, be a part of a permanent FOIA request that all communications be posted real time on a web site to the public.

Not unlike other letters, this demonstrates no mater what the public does, the public is screwed.  I have been told this meeting is today.  What this letter tells the public is that, again, elected officials are stopping EPA from doing it's job.
LDEQ fines went from around $8,000,000 to about $500,000 over time so EPA got involved at the public's continued request over several years.
Charlie Atherton 337-625-7613 


                       United States Senate
                         Washington, DC.
                          May 31, 2001

The Honorable Christine T. Whitman
1101A
USEPA Headquarters, Ariel Rice Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,NW
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Christie:
    I am writing to you to request that you join me and members of the southwest Louisiana state legislative delegation and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in a Friday meeting as soon as possible to discuss a cooperative framework for the "Calcasieu Estuary Initative".  This effort was initiated in response to the concerns of environmental groups about industrial pollution in the Calcasieu estuary near Lake Charles, Louisiana.

    As you may know, two years ago, the EPA's Region 6 office began a series of audits and inspections of petrochemical industries in southwest Louisiana known as the "Calcasieu Estuary Initative".  State legislators and officials with the LDEQ are claiming that these inspections have been conducted unilaterally and in conflict with prior permit and compliance decisions made by the LDEQ, as well as the Region 6 office.  In addition they are concerned that this effort has discouraged investment, particularly in the manufacturing sector that is so vital to the economic health of the region.  I am hopeful that we can work together to find solutions to any environmental problems in the area.

    Thank you in advance for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

With kindest regards, I am

                            Sincerely,
                            Mary L. Landrieu
                            United States Senator

MLL:dwc