Harlan Kirgan
After at least three meetings in which residents have voiced opposition to a salt water disposal well at Beggs, the St. Landry Parish Council will consider a resolution opposing it.
A resolution to oppose the 5.5 acre site to be developed by Eagle Oil is to be presented at the Council’s Jan. 17 meeting.
The Council’s Administrative-Finance Committee approved drawing up the resolution at its Wednesday meeting at the Old City Market in Opelousas.
Charlotte Bihm, a Beggs resident, asked that the Council join residents in opposing the site.
The disposal well would service an area beyond St. Landry Parish in Louisiana and includes other states.
The waste would be highly toxic, she said.
Bihm cited potential accidents during transport and leaks at the facility that could damage surrounding property, jeopardize the financial health of businesses and the health of residents.
“And for what sort of economic benefit?” she said. “Seven jobs for 35 to 40 years.”
A report by Subra Company, of New Iberia, on the project was presented at a previous meeting.
Among its key points are:
— Eagle Oil executed a surface use and disposal agreement with David and Jerelyn Mayeux for a site off La. 182.
— A notice of intent was published May 2015 in The Advocate, The Daily World and The Daily Advertiser.
— An application was filed in September 2017 with the Office of Conservation for a commercial injection well facility.
— The facility is to be operated for 35 to 40 years.
— The facility would operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
— 105 trucks would enter the facility every day.
— Disposal volume would average 7,500 barrels a day and have a maximum of 20,000 barrels a day.
— Seven jobs would be created.