Why frack in our cleanest waters and wetlands? Helis Oil and Gas and Ed Poitevent, a private landowner, want to make a buck off of St. Tammany Parish, and they are endangering our waterways, economy and health in the process.The law is clear: Helis must avoid destroying wetlands when they can. But they’re planning to place a frack pad in one of the only wetland sites on their lease, and want to proceed without environmental review.The Army Corps and Department of Environmental Quality must deny their permit.The threat of fracking to St. Tammany parish is severe. Despite the Department of Natural Resources’ recommendations that fracking waste pits not be placed in floodplains, Helis is choosing to do just that, risking toxic waste spilling into Cane Bayou headwaters.Fracking projects grow at exponential rates, with thousands of wells drilled within years due to the short-term nature of each well. St. Tammany Parish faces growing threats to public health and safety due to increased truck traffic, diminishing property values, increased road maintenance expenses, groundwater contamination, and explosions.Join us in demanding that the Corps and DEQ deny Helis’ permit, and conduct a programmatic environmental impact statement for fracking in the Florida Parishes.The Florida Parishes are home to some of our most pristine water and wetlands. Helis Oil and Gas is prepared to sacrifice the Southern Hills aquifer, Cane Bayou and Bayou LaCombe to make a profit. Write the Army Corps and Department of Environmental Quality today, and tell them to deny this permit. Scott Eustis is GRN’s Coastal Wetland Specialist
