photo from http://flyingcypress.blogspot.com

WILDLIFE AREA DISAPPEARS FROM BAYOU LIBERTY STATE SCENIC WATERWAY

Bayou Liberty is a scenic bayou in St Tammany Parish near Slidell.  "Bayou Liberty leads to Lake Pontchartrain and is one of the top scenic bayous in Louisiana. It's about a 15 minute ride by boat to the lake. The bayou is perfect for fishing, jet skiing, kneeboarding, or taking a leisurely cruise to see the old homes on the bayou. It is a bird sanctuary with bird feeders and purple martin house. Slidell is thirty minutes from New Orleans but has the feel of stepping back in time to a slower way of life."

http://www.vrbo.com/258118

 A 60 acre parcel of property along Bayou Liberty is being developed as an Industrial Park.  The developer obtained an exception to zoning laws from the Parish Council.  He also received permission to clear cut the property.  According to a local birder, the area cleared was home to deer, foxes, pileated woodpecker, bald eagle and a variety of other wildlife. The developer defends the removal of the pine trees and underbrush by promising that he will replace it with better, nicer looking plants like oak and cypress.  Now the developer is applying for another exception to the zoning regulations. He wants to put baseball fields on his property.  Residents fear the bright lights of the ball parks will destroy the natural feeling of the area. 

A resident tells me the St Tammany Board of Adjustment meets on Nov 5, 4:00 - 5:30 to consider his exception to the regulations.  The meeting will be held at the St. Tammany Parish Council Chambers , 21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville, LA 70471 

RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE NEW AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

EBRP Metro Council Meeting October 8, 4 pm

Councilman Amorosa will propose that the council oppose lowering Federal Air Quality Standards at their meeting today.

to lowering Federal Air Quality

Mr Amoroso says that the new standards will cost jobs.  However, studies show that the new air qualtiy standards will create jobs. See Labor Day Post below for more information about jobs vs environmental regulations.

You can find your councilperson's email address at

http://brgov.com/dept/council/lookup.asp

SAVE THE ALES

Chelseas Cafe and Bar (back patio)
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
7:00
Relax and chat with conservation minded people.
Non members welcome.