Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own
breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an
appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is
raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom.
Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican
as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us
to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry
our successes and zest for living to future generations.
Corps of Engineers 'Plays Footsies" with Local Developers
March 13, 1978
Excerpt from The Times-Picayune
The U.S. Army Corps pf Engineers has been accused of “playing footsies” with Louisiana politicians in a letter from the executive attorney of Save Our Wetlands Inc. (SOWL), to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The executive attorneys letter, dealing with Jefferson Parish’s proposed Bucktown Marina Development Plan, purports Jefferson Parish is attempting to gain an extension of an expired permit issued by the Corps of Engineers in order to obtain $300,000 worth of free riprap from Continental Grain Co. to be placed in Lake Pontchartrain under the permit which the attorney claims expired December 31, 1977.
The letter calls upon the EPA to immediately exercise a veto under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
The attorney says in the letter: “The Corps is well aware of Jefferson Parish’s proposed Bucktown Marina Development Plan, which will greatly expand their original Corps permit. This plan calls for a parking lot, restaurant, 360 boat slips, 700 dry boat storage facilities, boat yard facility, administrative and service center, harbor house pavilion, cold storage, and a seafood market. Therefore rather than require Jefferson Parish to reapply for a new permit, pinpointing their complete developmental scheme with a proper EIS (Environmental Impact Study), the Corps, New Orleans District, is again playing “footsies” with Louisiana politicians”.
“The New Orleans Corps has constantly been on the fringe of circumventing NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) and FWPCA (Federal Water Pollution Control Act). Under the Nixon and Ford regimes, this Corps is no more than a puppet for political and corporate powers. Some honest agency must begin supervising the Corps or Lake Pontchartrain will be lost forever."
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