River Parish leaders gathered at the Port of South Louisiana to celebrate the U.S. Department of Interior’s decision to not move forward with the creation of the Great River Road Historic Landmark District.”I think it just opens up a lot of opportunities for industries and businesses to come along the river and bring really an unprecedented amount of wealth to this region,” said St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell.The proposal would have dedicated a significant portion of the West Bank of the River Parishes, also known as Cancer Alley, as a national historic landmark district.Governor Jeff Landry and the Trump administration were a part of the decision.Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says designating the area as a historic district would have skidded job creation and put economic growth to a halt. “It’s our job that we let everyone know that we’re open for business for new industry and that we’re going to support the industry that’s already here,” said St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard.Parish leaders are in agreement with the decision, saying they are prioritizing residents’ health.”No one in this room would promote or support any industry that wasn’t environmentally responsible,” said Hotard.Louisiana’s Department of Environmental Quality says they are committed to providing cleaner water and air to the River Parishes, however some residents say they don’t think that’s the case.”Our community is dying; every week, we’re burying people,” said Tish Taylor with the Concerned Citizens of Saint John.Taylor believes toxins are being released from Denka chemical plant. Taylor says she would like to see more regulations in-place to help residents.”If you cross over to Saint John the Baptist Parish and ride along the River Road, all you’re going to see is bright lights and giant tanks that surround our communities. That’s not the way anyone should live,” Taylor said.State leaders say investors are eager to develop and expand along the Mississippi River.”We’re receiving investment opportunities from U.S. and international companies, wanting to invest billions of dollars. and create thousands of jobs on the west bank of the river region,” said Port of South Louisiana CEO Paul Matthews.
River Parish leaders gathered at the Port of South Louisiana to celebrate the U.S. Department of Interior’s decision to not move forward with the creation of the Great River Road Historic Landmark District.
“I think it just opens up a lot of opportunities for industries and businesses to come along the river and bring really an unprecedented amount of wealth to this region,” said St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell.
The proposal would have dedicated a significant portion of the West Bank of the River Parishes, also known as Cancer Alley, as a national historic landmark district.
Governor Jeff Landry and the Trump administration were a part of the decision.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says designating the area as a historic district would have skidded job creation and put economic growth to a halt.
“It’s our job that we let everyone know that we’re open for business for new industry and that we’re going to support the industry that’s already here,” said St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard.
Parish leaders are in agreement with the decision, saying they are prioritizing residents’ health.
“No one in this room would promote or support any industry that wasn’t environmentally responsible,” said Hotard.
Louisiana’s Department of Environmental Quality says they are committed to providing cleaner water and air to the River Parishes, however some residents say they don’t think that’s the case.
“Our community is dying; every week, we’re burying people,” said Tish Taylor with the Concerned Citizens of Saint John.
Taylor believes toxins are being released from Denka chemical plant. Taylor says she would like to see more regulations in-place to help residents.
“If you cross over to Saint John the Baptist Parish and ride along the River Road, all you’re going to see is bright lights and giant tanks that surround our communities. That’s not the way anyone should live,” Taylor said.
State leaders say investors are eager to develop and expand along the Mississippi River.
“We’re receiving investment opportunities from U.S. and international companies, wanting to invest billions of dollars. and create thousands of jobs on the west bank of the river region,” said Port of South Louisiana CEO Paul Matthews.
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