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Committee discusses DEQ violations, pit pumping and $750,000 earmark for monofill work
Summary
Parish staff described a flooded pit needing pumping and said about $750,000 remains allocated for monofill remediation; members suggested elevating outstanding DEQ violations to the DEQ secretary to seek closure once work is complete.
Avoyelles Parish Solid Waste Committee members discussed environmental compliance and remediation steps for a storm‑filled pit and a larger monofill project.
Kevin (speaker 3) told the committee a parish pit has about 25 feet of standing water after the storm and staff are soliciting contractors to pump the pit down and install a permanent pump. He said a large pump the parish plans to use is currently in Baton Rouge and that parish crews would stage and manage dewatering and follow-up work once contractors are hired.
Members and staff discussed longstanding DEQ (LDEQ) compliance items dating to 2021–22 and earlier. Kevin said the parish has addressed violations noted by earlier inspectors and has removed decades‑old drums and cleaned sites, but DEQ has still listed outstanding items. At least one committee member recommended arranging a meeting with the DEQ secretary and the parish president to present the parish’s cleanup and request a formal release or acceptance of work once remediation is complete.
On the monofill site, Kevin said roughly $750,000 remains allocated to the project; he described potential approaches including chipping tires and capping material in a way approved by DEQ, and noted the Department of Corrections had offered manpower and equipment subject to access limitations on private parcels. The committee discussed legal and property status: while some parcels have gone through tax adjudication, Kevin said the parish does not formally assume ownership and liability for adjudicated parcels until the jury votes to take ownership.
Committee members asked for a status update and for staff to confirm whether letters or counteroffers had been sent in prior negotiations related to quick‑claim actions on parcels. Kevin said he will follow up with staff (Jenny) and report back at a future solid-waste meeting.
There was no formal committee vote on DEQ settlement or monofill actions during the session.
