Louisiana Environmental Action Network

The goal for the petition was 5,000 signatures. Well, it's reached 5,000 signatures already and there are 12 days left! Let's help them blow way past that goal.

Governor Jindal issued an executive order Monday requiring all state and local agencies to review permits held by Texas Brine

A joint flight, provided by SouthWings, for LEAN, Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper and Atchafalaya Basinkeeper produced new pictures of the still growing sinkhole in the Bayou Corne area.

The Collaborative on Health and the Environment Partnership Event, May 2, 2013

Evaluation of Available Data: Air Monitoring, Health Impacts Associated with Chemicals Detected in the Air and Surface Water Sampling

By Wilma Subra

Presentation by: Wilma Subra, Technical Advisor to LEAN

New Orleans - April 15, 2013. Plaintiffs including the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) and Save Lake Peigneur, Inc. filed a lawsuit in the 16th Judicial District Court of Louisiana against the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR), alleging that the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management, violated the Louisiana Constitution and its own Guidelines by issuing a Coastal Use Permit (CUP) to Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, LLC (JISH), for a project to create two new natural gas storage caverns in the Jefferson Island salt dome underneath Lake Peigneur. 

This years session will consider many bills of significant importance to anyone concerned about the environment of Louisiana.

The persistence and growth of a large area of hypoxic (low oxygen) water off Louisiana’s coast is a long-standing problem that threatens the state’s coastal fisheries and the communities who depend on them. Louisiana Environmental Action Network, Louisiana Audubon Council, Gulf Restoration Network, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club, Louisiana Bayoukeeper, Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper, Ouachita Riverkeeper and RESTORE write letter to CPRA to address nutrient reduction.

Wilma Subra
Subra Company/Louisiana Environmental Action Network

While residents expressed their extreme frustration, Texas Brine did not commit to any buy-outs but commented that they were in negotiations with their insurance provider and that a representative was in Louisiana to "collect house values and legal descriptions." Notably, CGI Geologist Gary Hecox said the cavern is still collapsing and will take more than a year to fill the hole. LEAN gave recommendations to the Senate committees.

Learn more about South Louisiana through stories, maps and images.

LEAN launched a new website today as a multi-media platform to educate, inspire and connect people around the many facets of the environment in South Louisiana. An article in the advocate does a great job of explaining this new online resource:

Seismic activity is increasing and there is no end in sigh to the displacement of the Bayou Corne community. Texas Brine Company and Occidental Chemical Corporation should relocate Bayou Corne residents who wish to leave.

As usual, 2012 has been a busy year. LEAN spent its 26th year working hard continuing to protect the health of communities across Louisiana and the environments they depend on. A few highlights of LEAN's work in 2012 are outlined below.

Did you hear us on the radio? Sustainable Louisiana is LEAN's project to reach out to Louisiana citizens through short informative radio messages in an effort to build a greater awareness of issues of sustainablity and the economic benefits of a clean and healthy environment. The messages are Louisiana focused and provide practical solutions for people wanting to learn more and do more about the sustainablity of their communities. Check out the messages; get informed and get involved!

Doctor Who Treated Those Made Sick by BP’s Oil Disaster Worries Medical Settlement is Not Fair, Will Exclude Those with Serious Symptoms

Yesterday, October 11, 2012, photographer Jeffrey Dubinsky took a flight for LEAN, which was generously provided by Southwings, over the Bayou Corne sinkhole.

 As the sink hole developed, the Bayou Corne/Grand Bayou community began complaining of odors and associated health impacts.  Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) developed an Odor and Symptom Log For Use in Association with the Bayou Corne Incident and posted the Odor and Symptom Log.

On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to environmental and community groups who challenged its 2012 air rule for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plants announcing that it will reconsider this rule that failed to adequately limit air pollution nation-wide and singled out two PVC plants in Mossville, Louisiana and Deer Park, Texas for the most lax limits and worst protection. The EPA’s decision is great news for communities who are burdened by this toxic air pollution.

Sustainable Louisiana

Did you hear us on the radio? Sustainable Louisiana is LEAN's project to reach out to Louisiana citizens through short informative radio messages in an effort to build a greater awareness of issues of sustainablity and the economic benefits of a clean and healthy environment. The messages are Louisiana focused and provide practical solutions for people wanting to learn more and do more about the sustainablity of their communities. Check out the messages; get informed and get involved!

Learn more

When it rains it flares. Lightning from a thunderstorm yesterday led to an unusually large flare at Dow Chemical Co. in Plaquemine, LA. Local residents note that flaring during inclement weather happens all too often.

Wilma Subra, LEAN's super Technical Adviser has made More magazine's 2012 Fierce List!

Health Concerns in BP's Own Manual Raise Questions

Anonymous Whistleblower Provides Document; Groups Send Letter as Settlement Looms

Michael Orr
Operations Coordinator

Michael is the youngest of the multi generational family behind LEAN's work. While he grew up around the work of LEAN and his mother Marylee, Michael has spent the majority of his career in the restaurant industry. With a deep love for the wilds of Louisiana and extensive experience in business management, he has been a welcomed addition to the full-time staff.

Paul Orr
Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper/Communications Director

Paul earned his Mass Communications degree from Louisiana State University.  He worked for LEAN as a communications intern during college and has directed LEAN’s communications efforts since 2003.  Paul maintains LEAN’s membership and media databases.  While documenting LEAN’s work, Paul has created a photo journal of south Louisiana’s environmental journey.

Marylee Orr
Executive Director

Marylee Orr has led LEAN for most of its twenty five years. Marylee didn't intend to work for the environment. In fact, her background was quite eclectic: she worked with Head Start, working in real estate, and later owned an art gallery. Her life changed when her son was born with a respiratory illness that makes it incredibly hard for him to breathe. Marylee found inspiration in her son, and wanted to help people who were less prepared to advocate for themselves and the environment around them.

Before LEAN was founded in 1986, polluters ran roughshod over Louisiana's unique environment and way of life. By providing clear information about pollution and organizing groups into a statewide network, LEAN changed the balance of power. Lean stopped polluting facilities from being built and helped pass new policies protecting Louisianians' health and way of life. As one of the leading environmental organizations in Louisiana, local governments and industries routinely consult LEAN at the start of applications for permits. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill, LEAN has coordinated emergency relief, disseminated accurate information about pollution and its impacts, and worked toward restoration of the region's habitats and cultures.