Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Organizations requesting assistance

Village de l'est community and Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association of New Orleans

Summary of TAB interaction with community

The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina is still being felt by the residents of the city of New Orleans as they work to rebuild their lives. The community of Village de I'est in New Orleans feels they have another added burden as a very controversial landfill (Chef Menteur) was placed near their community for disposal of hurricane debris. The site is being treated as a typical construction and demolition landfill, however the community and many others are concerned that because of the large amounts of wastes being handled in the city, that there is the potential for hazardous wastes being mixed in. Therefore the community is very concerned about and the possible emissions from this site and the exposure to these chemicals.

Dr. John Pardue, Co-director of HSRC S&SW, has worked with members of the community as one of their expert consultants on the site and put together a white paper: "Anticipating environmental problems facing hurricane debris landfills in New Orleans East."

In May of 2006 TOSC met with another group in this community Ð VAYLA NO (Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association of New Orleans), and gave a short presentation about the TOSC and TAB programs, possible workshops on the different types of landfills, the regulations that govern them, as well as a fact sheets. TOSC also provided the community with information on increasing public participation as well as information on landfill redevelopment options.