Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Organizations requesting assistance

LDEQ-Community-Industry Relations (CIR) group

Summary of TOSC/TAB interaction with community

On March 13, 2003 a member of the LDEQ-Community-Industry Relations (CIR) group contacted HSRC about a site in Lisbon, LA, within Claiborne Parish. The site consists of an abandoned petroleum refinery known as the Lisbon Refinery (aka: Arcadia Refining & Marketing; Dubach Gas; and Claiborne Gas Company). Industrial activities at the site date back to 1943. According to LDEQ records, the refinery process units have been out of operation since October 1987 and groundwater remediation free-phase recovery systems operated from 1993 to 1998. There is no current remediation ongoing.

A local citizen who is a concerned family member of residents in the area originally contacted CIR. Apparently, the residents question whether the abandoned refinery could impact their water supply. Also, LDEQ-CIR seemed to think the site had some Brownfields potential. TOSC/TAB conducted a windshield survey of the site on April 24, 2003 and had further discussions with both the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) and LDEQ. It appears that almost all nearby community members are on public water wells which show no signs of contamination at this time. The Brownfields potential is not evident. Currently, the community interest at the site seems to have dropped off. LDEQ continues to pursue possible actions at the site, which may include the Inactive and Abandoned Sites Division. TOSC/TAB will continue to provide assistance to LDEQ-CIR and other involved parties as needed.