A decades-long struggle for environmental justice in Louisiana’s St. Tammany Parish
The small town of Lacombe, nestled in the heart of Louisiana’s St. Tammany Parish, has been at the center of a contentious environmental debate for decades. The Lacombe Waste Incinerator, a facility owned and operated by the St. Tammany Parish government, has been the source of controversy and concern for local residents, who claim that the plant’s toxic emissions are polluting the air and water, threatening the health and well-being of the community.
At the heart of the controversy is the incinerator’s permit to burn hazardous waste, which was granted by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in the 1990s. Critics argue that the permit was issued without proper oversight and that the facility’s operations have consistently violated state and federal environmental regulations. The incinerator’s emissions have been linked to a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, cancer, and neurological damage.
“The incinerator is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash its toxic legacy on our community. We deserve better than to be treated like a dumping ground for the state’s hazardous waste.” – Mary Jenkins, Lacombe resident and activist
Despite numerous complaints and lawsuits filed by local residents and environmental groups, the St. Tammany Parish government has maintained that the incinerator is operating safely and within regulatory limits. However, documents obtained through public records requests reveal a pattern of non-compliance and inadequate monitoring of the facility’s emissions.
The controversy surrounding the Lacombe Waste Incinerator has sparked a larger conversation about environmental justice and the disproportionate impact of pollution on low-income and minority communities. St. Tammany Parish is home to a diverse population, with many residents living in close proximity to the incinerator. The community’s struggle for clean air and water has become a rallying cry for environmental activists and a testament to the power of grassroots organizing.
As the debate over the Lacombe Waste Incinerator continues, one thing is clear: the people of St. Tammany Parish will not be silenced or ignored. They demand a safe and healthy environment, free from the toxic smoke and mirrors of a polluting industry. The future of their community depends on it.
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