Ground Water

Ground Water Staff Reaching Out to North La.

The Louisiana State Ground Water Resources Commission met Thursday, Dec. 18 to swear in new members and discuss procedural and area concerns members may be tackling in coming months.

The meeting follows a recent information trip to north Louisiana to hear and discuss groundwater concerns in that area by state Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle, appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal as chairman of the Commission, Office of Conservation Commissioner James Welsh, and Ground Water Resources program staff.

Members of the state group spent two days earlier this week speaking to area leaders and members of the Sparta Groundwater Commission about issues relating to sustaining the Sparta Aquifer, which serves a large portion of north Louisiana, and other water concerns and projects.

“We are continuing to work to better focus the state’s efforts to protect its ground water resources while still encouraging responsible development of the state’s natural resources,” Angelle said. “Getting out to the different areas of the state and hearing the concerns of local leaders first hand is a good way to make sure our staff and our board has the best information as we move forward in evaluating the best policy.”

At the Thursday meeting, Angelle said he wanted the Ground Water Resources staff to continue to build up the data reported to the Commission at its meetings to make sure Commission members have what they need to make the soundest recommendations.

“Whatever it is we decide upon should be based upon sound information, sound science,” he said.

Commission members discussed finding ways to improve monitoring of the number and purpose of new water wells, steps the state has taken to respond to ground water concerns in the area of natural gas exploration of the Haynesville Shale formation and the recent north Louisiana trip by Angelle, Welsh and staff.

Staffers also reported that letters have been sent out to various groups as part of the effort to re-invigorate the state’s Ground Water Advisory Task Force, which operates to supplement the work of the Commission. Gene Coleman, representing north Louisiana’s Sparta Ground Water Conservation District on the Commission, said at the meeting that he not only appreciated the visit to his area earlier in the week, but was glad to see a proactive Commission.

Angelle said that just as important to the efforts on the ground water issue has been and will be the state Legislature. “I appreciate the support we have gotten in the past from our state legislators in taking an interest and working with stakeholders on ground water concerns, and look forward to continuing to have the solid backing of our lawmakers in our efforts,” Angelle said.

Appointed members of the Commission are Kyle Balkum, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Zahir “Bo” Bolourchi, Department of Transportation and Development; James S. Burland, La. Chemical Association; Carrie Castille,  Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Thomas “Gene” Coleman, Sparta Groundwater Conservation District; Elliot D. Colvin, Louisiana Farm Bureau; William R. Downs, Expertise in Ground Water Resource Management; Paul D. Frey, Louisiana Landowner’s Association; Garrett Graves, Director of the Governor’s Office on Coastal Activities; Dan Hollingsworth, Louisiana Municipal Association; Alan Levine, Department of Health and Hospitals; James “Jimmy” Johnston, La. Wildlife Federation; Harold “Hal” Leggett, Department of Environmental Quality; Paul “Jackie” Loewer, region of the Chicot Aquifer;
Mickey Mays, Police Jury Association; Eugene Owen, Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District; and Kelsey D. Short, Department of Economic Development.

The Commission’s next meeting is set for March 5, 2009. The Commission will be traveling from its normal Baton Rouge site that day, with the meeting set to be held at Minden City Hall.