Beneficial Environmental Project Library

RAE Systems Rapid Deployment Kits

A BEP is requested to purchase 2 new RAE Systems Rapid Deployment Kits. The RAE Systems Rapid Deployment Kits have been used during emergencies to provide critical data that help ensure public safety. LDEQ had 1 kit and purchased a new kit with BEP money from the Pelican settlement. Conditions of the settlement require that the new kit be assigned to ARO and SERO. Features of the RAE Systems Rapid Deployment Kit are far superior to the older kit and have fewer restrictions during operation.

Demonstration Monitoring Site

Baton Rouge - supporting the Baton Rouge MSA and the nonattainment area. $200,000 to upgrade the Capitol NCore monitoring site or one of the other local monitoring sites to have it be also used as a demonstration site. This will allow the public to visit the site and learn about air monitoring techniques as well as understanding the data that the site collects. Monies not spent on upgrades would go to informational materials.

Capitol Lake Floating Island Project

Through proprietary technology, Martin Ecosystems creates floating wetlands within water bodies to provide the foundations of improved ecosystems. Capitol Lake is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in front of the Louisiana State Capitol. It was once a strategic element in the 1862 Battle of Baton Rouge. Today it is viewed as the front door of the Capitol Building and is often the first sight seen by visitors. At times it has historically been used as a wastewater receiving body, as well as, a

Town of Addis-Sewer Generators

The Town of Addis' Sewer System serves approximately 4300 residents and over 50 businesses. To prevent overflows and to protect our citizens during times of power outages, particular hurricanes and other unforeseeable weather incidents, we are desirous to own emergency generators to continue operating our sewer system during these times, locating generators during extreme weather incidents has posed problems in the past. The Town would require 20 natural gas generators ranging in sizes from 2H

Town of Addis- EOC Center

The Town of Addis is Desirous to equipping our current Council Room to serve as an Emergency Operations Center to be used in event of local extreme weather and local disaster emergencies. This EOC Center would provide an informational system to be used by the citizens of Addis and local areas to stay informed during local extreme events. It could also provide an off-site area for local industry during extreme events. The cost to equip an EOC center will be approximately $140,000.

Town of Addis-Pollution Prevention-Air Conditionin

The Town of Addis is desirous to replace the outdated R-22 system air conditioning system at the Municipal and Police (Town Hall) site with a 16 and 18 seer energy efficient system. This project has an estimated cost of $80,000.00.

Industrial Radiography Card Printer

If someone purchased a Dual-Sided Card Printer for DEQ's Radiation Section to make Industrial Radiographer and Trainee cards, this would decrease the waiting time for processing 100 cards from 2 weeks to 2 days. DEQ has received complaints about the wait time, so we are looking for ways to streamline the process to address stakeholder concerns. Currently, we generate 1125 cards per year, so the purchase of this printer would significantly increase productivity. Therefore industrial

St. Bernard Parish is committed to restoring the wetlands destroyed by the MR-GO shipping channel. These coastal wetlands restoration projects benefit the entire southeast region.

DEVELOPMENT OF MEANINGFUL WATERSHED EDUCATIONAL EX

Two learning stations will be developed at LSU AgCenter Burden Center's Black Swamp to provide students a meaningful watershed experience with hands-on activities. Burden Centeris located in the center of Baton Rouge, a major metropolitan area of Louisiana. It is comprised of approximately 440 acres including a wetland area called Black Swamp. Black Swamp is a rain fed depression swamp that has a significant stand of 200 year-old swamp tupelo and water tupelo trees. It is bordered by Inter

Rebuild Wetlands in Southwest Louisiana

The Calcasieu River and Pass, Louisiana, project does not have adequate dredged material disposal capacity needed to maintain the channel to authorized depths. Existing discharge sites are at or near capacity, and past maintenance deficiencies have resulted in substantial erosion of discharge facilities into adjacent water bodies. Other discharge sites have been lost to commercial development. Previous real estate agreements, which have enabled landowners to opt out of agreements for dispos

Restore and Rebuild Wetlands in Southwest Louisian

The proposed BEP will result in the restoration of wetlands that will improve the overall environmental condition of the ecosystem in Southwest Louisiana. In addition, these restored wetlands will provide protection from storm surge to the communities in Southwest Louisiana as well as contribute to improving both air and water quality in the region.

Emergency Business Preparedness

In order to increase organizations' survivability through compliant, best-practice preparedness measures - SDMI serves as an affordable, effective planning resource for small to medium sized businesses. Through business disaster preparedness and mitigation planning, an organization can reap the benefits of: protecting sales and revenue, providing employee security and safety, protecting company reputation, maintaining customer loyalty, improving business processes, and avoiding legal issues. T

Business Preparedness Outreach

BEP Suggestion: Business Preparedness Outreach Businesses are the backbone of Louisiana's economy, employ half of all private sector employees, and help supply and operate various industries. SDMI research shows that businesses are challenged with the concept of preparing for emergencies- they do not have the time or resources to dedicate towards this mission. SDMI's business preparedness outreach covers all parishes and includes sessions to teach businesses about the benefits of mitigating

Mobile Exercise Training

BEP Suggestion: Mobile Exercise Training SDMI will facilitate a customized, scenario-driven table-top exercise for businesses and industries as needed to include natural disasters and man-made disasters. Participants of mobile exercise training events include stakeholders from the public and private sector, local officials and responders, and representatives from state agencies as needed. SDMI will serve as a facilitator for the training exercise and can provide feedback as requested by bus

Industry and Business Emergency Management Orienta

SDMI's Industry Orientation is a seminar that covers the history and development of emergency management in Louisiana and how the system works, local emergency management procedures, State Police HAZMAT responsibilities and procedures, an overview of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the Stephenson Disaster Management Institute, and the Department of Homeland Security Protective Security Advisors (PSAs). This project will result in overall community awareness of emergency proced

Community Outreach

Through SDMI sponsored outreach efforts within communities potentially affected by chemical releases and spills, SDMI will hold outreach events to discuss preparedness procedures for chemical emergencies. The public community will attend the outreach events and will receive information that will enhance the overall health of the community by enabling them to react efficiently and safely to potential disasters of the chemical nature. Planning and coordination of community outreach events may be

Public/Private Partnership Enhancement

The public/private partnership efforts conducted by SDMI will enhance the partnership of the local community, the government, and the private industrial companies. This effort will incorporate the education of the community as to how they should handle releases and emergency events. Education topics will include releases affecting both water and air, and will include information on siren warning systems. The public/private partnership enhancement can be a multiple-parish project which can rea

Technology Sharing

SDMI has a division of employees with skills and time dedicated to GIS mapping projects. In conjunction with LDEQ, SDMI will be able to utilize its technology capabilities to enhance planning, response, and recovery to impending chemical releases throughout all parishes in Louisiana. Improving such capabilities will result in an increased return on investment in regards to the identification, planning efforts, and mitigation for future releases.

Baton Rouge Lakes Restoration Project

This project seeks to restore the 6 lakes located near LSU in Baton Rouge, LA. The Lakes were constructed in the 1920's with the timbering of old Perkins Swamp and the damming of Bayou DuPlantier. Over the past several decades, the Lakes have deteriorated due to excessive nutrient accumulation, shallow depth, and poor water quality. This BEP will use funds to dredge the Lakes, remove stumps from the lakes, and contour the lake bottoms. This process will improve water quality so that the Lakes wi

True Vapor Pressure testing

A True Vapor Pressure test method developed under the DOE Strategic Petroleum Reserve operations can be utilized to eliminate or reduce storage tank VOC and methane emissions that are currently interfering with the ability of air districts to achieve air quality attainment compliance. TruTesT was the developer of this test method and has utilized it for various industry storage tank emissions and product loss assessments.

Anti Idling signs for schools

Idling vehicles contribute to air pollution and emit air toxins -- pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects. Monitoring at schools when vehicles are idling has shown elevated levels of benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other air toxics. Limiting vehicle idling time can dramatically reduce these pollutants and exposure to them. This Beneficial Environmental Project falls into the Pollutant Prevention, Pollution Reduction and Public Health catego

Continuation of Statewide Sampling for Mercury in Fish Tissue, Risk Assessment, Dissemination of Risk Information, and Mercury Air Deposition Network (With options to fund up to four projects)

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is seeking funding support for four areas of the department’s mercury risk reduction efforts. These areas include: 1 Continuing statewide efforts to sample and conduct risk assessment of fish for mercury contamination; 2) The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and LDEQ propose to improve development and dissemination of risk assessment information related to mercury contamination; 3) LDEQ proposes to locate, repair, replace, or establish new fish consumption advisory signs at public boat launches and docks; and 4) LDEQ proposes to resume participation in the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP), Mercury Deposition Network (MDN) for determination of total mercury concentration and deposition in precipitation. BEP funding options range from $26,044 for partial funding to $4,170,549 for full funding of all four options. Responsible parties wishing to contribute to this BEP may fund one or more of the following four options. Option 1: Mercury in Fish Tissue Study Continuation The proposed mercury in fish tissue study is planned to operate in three-year increments as BEP or other funding becomes available. It is intended as a continuation of the current BEP funded four-year study period. Annual cost for sample collection and data handling (LDEQ staff), and risk assessment (LDH staff) is estimated at $1,100,279. Funding for a full three-year increment of the study continuation will therefore be $3,333,836. Estimated costs also include payment of dues for the Interstate Mercury Education and Reduction Clearinghouse (IMERC). IMERC membership assists LDEQ with management of the sale of mercury product notifications, phase-outs, and labeling in Louisiana. Ideally a single BEP for the full three-year increment option will be developed; however, one or more one-year BEPs at $1,100,279 each will also be considered. The mercury in fish tissue study continuation project serves to mitigate for the known contamination of fish with mercury by allowing LDEQ and LDH to set protective and targeted fish consumption advisories. Thus allowing continued use of a valuable Louisiana resource while protecting human health. Option 2: Dissemination of Mercury Risk Assessment Information And Targeted Blood Screening Dissemination of mercury risk assessment information will take the form of new or improved mercury risk information brochures to be distributed by physicians, hospitals, state health units, and environmental education events as permitted by these entities and organizations. If possible, public service announcements may also be developed and disseminated to regional and local broadcasters and on agency websites. Development and dissemination of risk assessment information will be conducted primarily by LDH with assistance from LDEQ and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Updating and printing of existing brochures, as well as creation of new brochures and targeted web or print mercury informational notices, is estimated to cost $25,000. In addition, the LDH hopes to conduct a new blood mercury screening study in high risk areas and/or among high risk fishing communities. The estimated cost for screening 500 people is $50,000. This includes sample collection and lab processing at $100 per person. Finally, the LDH proposes to create a new online PSA video. Estimated cost for the video is $50,000. Total cost to fully fund the dissemination of mercury risk assessment information for two years is $125,000. Option 3: Repair and Replacement of Mercury Fish Consumption Advisory Signs Dissemination of risk assessment information will also be facilitated through repair or replacement of existing fish consumption advisory signs and placement of new signs where permitted by local entities such as operators of public boat launches, state and federally owned fishing piers, and other sites to be identified by LDEQ. Ongoing maintenance and installation of fish consumption advisory signs for one year is estimated to cost $26,044 for new advisory stickers and staff time to locate and repair/install signs. This estimate is for 140 new or repaired signs per year. Simple repair costs or sticker replacement will be less. Option 4: Redevelopment of Mercury Deposition Network Due to loss or damage of the original air deposition monitoring equipment, resumption of the NADP, MDN will require considerable funding and training to reestablish. During the original Mercury Initiative effort four MDN sites were maintained by LDEQ across the state. Equipment replacement cost, setup and training for all four sites is estimated to be $63,849. This includes all equipment and installation expenses, training by MDN, and LDEQ staff time. The annual operating expenses for participation in the MDN for four sites is estimated at $43,104, while annual LDEQ operating expenses are estimated to be $81,260. In summary, the first year cost to reestablish and maintain sampling equipment for four sites is $188,213. Subsequent annual costs are estimated to be $124,364 for laboratory testing, MDN participation, and LDEQ staff time. In order to get the most use out of reestablishment of the MDN in Louisiana, it is desirable that the system be funded for at least 5 years at a total cost of $685,669.

Restore the Earth: Bayou Terrebonne Fresh Water Diversion Project

The primary objective of this project is to promote and enhance community protection and resilience through the successful creation and maintenance of a freshwater forested wetland ecosystem via 1) The diversion of freshwater into Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA via the Bayou Terrebonne Diversion Pump Retrofit project, and 2) The utilization of the improved freshwater conditions at Pointe-aux-Chenes to extend, enhance and sustain reforestation activities. Deploying a common sense approach in working with nature, these activities will reinforce and expand the ability for forested wetlands to function as green infrastructure, providing a major line of defense to buffer and protect coastal communities from storm surge and hurricane exposure. The Bayou Terrebonne Freshwater Diversion project, is located in southern Louisiana along Bayou Terrebonne, between the towns of Montegut and Pointe-aux-Chenes. The primary project area is located within the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area. The Central and Eastern Terrebonne marshes are greatly deprived of freshwater, nutrients, and sediments from riverine sources. Recently, efforts have been underway to try to optimize freshwater flows to some of these areas where possible; however, the sources of freshwater are greatly limited. This project will create a freshwater diversion to move freshwater, nutrients, and sediments originating largely from the Atchafalaya River via the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and Bayou Terrebonne into the Montegut and Pointe-aux-Chenes marshes in Central and Eastern Terrebonne Parish. This will provide conditions for the creation and restoration of critical fresh water marsh, which functions as one of the first lines of defense in the overall storm surge protection strategy for Terrebonne Parish. The project is designed to work synergistically with the Parish’s existing forced drainage systems, rerouting water from Bayou Terrebonne through an existing canal system. Currently, it only operates as a drainage system ~40 days per year. Two additional project-specific pumps will be installed at existing pump facilities to divert freshwater when forced drainage systems are not needed. By adding dedicated diversion pumps, we can potentially add as much as 85-90% more freshwater flow to help create and restore marshes in two areas of the Parish inside the Morganza to the Gulf Federal levee system. Since a fully functional canal and pumping system is already in place, this project will provide the modifications necessary to take advantage of existing infrastructure and convert to a dual-purpose operation by incorporating dedicated pumps for coastal restoration. Freshwater diversions have a proven track record of success in Louisiana, as is evident by the Caernarvon Diversion and the State’s prioritization and use of diversions in their State legislated Coastal Master Plan project selections. Projects such as this one offer the opportunity to build on this foundation of innovation and continue to deliver the necessary freshwater, nutrients, and sediments that will revitalize these degraded wetlands in dire need of rejuvenation. We have worked with the Parish Public Works, which operates the drainage system, and the proposed design is based upon existing systems with their input and recommendations.

Restore the Earth: Pointe-aux-Chenes Cypress Reforestation

The objective of this 3,000 acre project is to re-establish the historic, bald cypress forested freshwater marsh, protecting existing and restoring critical habitat by reducing the wetland, marsh and land loss created by habitat fragmentation, salt water intrusion, invasive species and a decline in storm buffering capacity. The scope of the project includes Restore the Earth Foundation’s timely and critical planting of native cypress hardwoods to reestablish historic native vegetation and restore freshwater bald cypress forested marshes at this site. Restore the Earth will restore a critical “island” of forest marsh through a reforestation deployment planting native bald cypress trees at Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Montegut, Louisiana. The planting of critical native bald cypress hardwoods will reestablish historic native vegetation and restore freshwater bald cypress forested marshes at Pointe-aux-Chenes which spans both Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. With their land considered environmentally sensitive, Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes are susceptible to coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, subsidence and sea level rise. This 3,000 restoration site is one of the last tracts of land providing a line of storm defense between open water of the Gulf of Mexico the protection of lower Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes in Louisiana. There is an existing Parish levee in place that the levee district has been gradually raising, widening and armoring to provide protection from storm surge and for marsh management. From south of Pointe-aux-Chenes, the current construction and improvements of the Morganza to the Gulf levee within Lafourche Parish will provide further protection for Pointe-aux-Chenes and tie into the existing Lafourche levee system, doubling the protection and overall sustainability of this project. This initiative is both a continuation and expansion of REF’s on-going reforestation projects along the Gulf Coast using innovative, high-performance, native tree species that have restored and preserved critical wildlife and fish species and the habitat on which they depend. Restore the Earth will use native trees grown by the-natural EKOgrown™ tree-growing process to produce high per formance trees. This process generates trees that have a higher survival rate, reach maturity more quickly and sequester two-to-four times more carbon annually than trees grown and planted using conventional methodologies (bare root seedlings). Restore the Earth will work with a local nursery, contracted to grow native bald cypress with the intention of keeping funding in the community.

Water Connections: Engaging the community and The Water Campus

A Mississippi River water testing and public education program that incorporates the leveraged opportunities of The Water Campus in Baton Rouge – with partners on the federal, state and university level. Weekly Mississippi River water samples shared with researchers and school programs combined with speakers in STEM fields, will help raise awareness about river and coastal challenges while providing data sets for schools and researchers.

Environmental Education Expansion Program

The purpose of the KLB Environmental Education program is to provide Louisiana educators with resources, knowledge, and professional development opportunities that will increase their knowledge of environmental issues, particularly those that are specific to Louisiana. Mastery of these environmental issues will motivate teachers to teach their students and empower them to preserve and protect the unique natural beauty of Louisiana. Students will be taught skills to identify and solve environmental problems that they face on a regular basis in their lives now, so that they may be better prepared to do so in the future.

Changing a Culture: Litter Education for Louisiana Schools

The Louisiana Environmental Education Commission proposes this project to address terrestrial litter and marine debris issues, and to foster student stewardship initiatives across the state. We will develop a K-5 litter education module for Louisiana teachers; provide participating teachers with a series of professional development opportunities, materials and classroom support; provide students with field experiences; and support school-initiated projects through a grants program. Our goal is to create a litter-free ethic among K-12 teachers and students in Louisiana.

New Water Well for Colfax LA

Water Well #2 for Colfax is now beyond repair and is no longer functioning. There is only 1 well currently in operation. The existing well will not meet the needs of the Colfax Water District when the summer and hot weather begins. Drinking water would be a problem especially if the current functioning well has any problem.

Environmental & Natural Resource Education Through the Louisiana Envirothon

Envirothon is a statewide environmental problem-solving competition for students. Through Envirothon, students demonstrate knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management. Students participate in hands-on experiences, enabling them to become environmentally-aware, action-oriented citizens. Envirothon has proven to be an exciting and useful tool for incorporating environmental education and conservation into studies and promoting STEM careers and subjects. Envirothon assists in meeting the new science standards on phenomenon-based learning in Louisiana.

Baton Rouge Clean Air Coalition Facilitator

The Louisiana Foundation for Excellence in Science, Technology and Education (LaFESTE) requests a BEP to provide a Facilitator for the Baton Rouge Clean Air Coalition. The Coalition is comprised of DEQ, local government, industry and citizens who work together to improve air quality in the Baton Rouge area. The Facilitator will provide leadership, conduct meetings, maintain the website, assist with public education/outreach efforts, and update the EPA Baton Rouge Ozone Advance Program.

LDEQ Water Quality Assessment - Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention in Priority Watersheds

LDEQ-Office of Environmental Assessment-Water Quality Assessment Division – Nonpoint Source (NPS) is assigned specific priority Louisiana watersheds (listed as impaired on the Integrated Report) for watershed planning, water quality sampling and education and outreach programs demonstrating maintenance of home sewage systems through on-site disposal systems (OSDS) inspections in an effort to partially or fully restore the watershed. NPS staff participates in educational outreach activities across the state, which are crucial for interaction with the public and dissemination of NPS related materials. NPS staff will participate in planning and hosting the Envirothon competition, a statewide science competition for 6th-12th graders, focusing on environmental areas of interest (i.e. soils, forestry, aquatics, and wildlife). NPS staff will participate in other educational activities as participants and/or exhibiters. The NPS staff will provide educational outreach displays, such as, Enviroscape, Walnut Bayou, watershed models, and an aquifer model to inform the public about NPS pollution. Other educational outreach opportunities the NPS staff participation includes, but is not limited to, annual Earth Day events in various locations in the state, Ocean Commotion, National Hunting and Fishing Days, Barataria-Terrebone National Estuary Program La Fete d’Ecologie, and other school events throughout the year. As progress is made in watershed implementation, NPS staff and stakeholder groups will become more active in watershed-specific education and outreach. Approximately 15 to 20 outreach activities will be attended/participated annually. The BEP will help fund educational and outreach items bringing key awareness to NPS pollution in priority watersheds and LDEQ contact information statewide.

Caddo Lake Algae Bloom Warning System: Sonde Chlorophyll Sensor

Algae blooms kill fish, diminish recreation, and effect taste and odor of municipal drinking water. A Sonde Chlorophyll sensor is the best tool to use as an early warning sign to show conditions favorable to an algae bloom. Consistent monitoring can aid in heading off an algae bloom before it starts. The Caddo Lake Institute does not have this piece of equipment and would like to deploy it with our contract chemist to be on guard against this potential devastation to wildlife, public recreation and rural economic activity, and to the reputation of Caddo Lake.

Caddo Lake Water Quality Monitoring for 1 Quarter (3 mos.)

Caddo Lake is a biodiverse wetland and a source of drinking water for 25,000 households. The Caddo Lake Institute has the mission of protecting the ecological, cultural, and economic integrity of Caddo Lake. We propose 3 months of basic water quality data at key sites around Caddo Lake, plus seasonal (once a quarter) sediment and nutrient sampling. Our contract chemist, Roy Darville, will take the samples. The costs are for his time, and testing supplies, to last for 3 months. A lab will analyze these samples for nutrient content that can feed Salvinia, and standard water quality monitoring tests. Data will feed into existing models and shared with our partners, such as the Salvinia Task Force, state and local agencies, and the community. We will discover if there are concerning trends in water quality and address any pollution sources indicated. The direct outcome of this grant would be data enabling conservation of this local treasure. Cleaner water will better sustain native species and the re-introduction of the prehistoric paddlefish. In order for this lake to be a sustainable tourism draw or economic engine, a place for healthy recreation and a source of healthy drinking water, sound science must be in place to conserve it. The target population is the wildlife in the Caddo Lake wetland system, the people who live, work and recreate on Caddo Lake, and the 25,000 households for whom Caddo Lake is their water source, and for those in Caddo Parish as a whole who would benefit from increased ecotourism.

Caddo Lake Water, Sediment, and Nutrient Monitoring for One Year

Seasonal sampling of water quality, sediment, and nutrients in Caddo Lake. Caddo Lake Institute has the mission of protecting the ecological, cultural, and economic integrity of Caddo Lake. The lake is home to 88 species of fish, over 280 species of birds, and a source of drinking water for 25,000 Louisiana customers. In addition, nature based tourism can be an economic driver in this rural part of Caddo Parish. However, recent algae blooms, especially in Florida, highlight the damage that high nutrient loadings can cause to public waters and the fish, wildlife and recreational uses. Caddo Lake has not seen such dramatic problems, but high nutrient levels in water flowing to Caddo Lake causes algae blooms, low oxygen levels and contribute to summer fish kills. The nutrients feed the rapid growth of invasive species such as giant salvinia that Caddo experiences almost annually. High levels of nutrients could also increase the cost of treating Lake water for water supplies to cities and industries in Louisiana. CLI’s studies show that nutrient levels are increasing in Caddo Lake. There has not, however, been an adequate evaluation of the levels, sources or risks of these increasing nutrient loadings in the Lake. CLI’s Proposal: CLI proposes to expand its 20 year water quality monitoring program to focus more on nutrient loadings to Caddo Lake and on the potential sources. Water and sediment samples will be taken by contract chemist, Dr. Roy Darville. The sampling would focus, in part, on the tributaries, such as Jeems' Bayou, to help identify the major contributing waters. We can then address point or non point sources of detrimental chemicals and nutrients to find a way to stop their flow into Caddo Lake or address their presence.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training: Protecting and Empowering our First Responders

Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF) proposes conducting alternative fuels safety training for our first responders. Classes would be designed specifically for fire fighters, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) & Law Enforcement personnel. Diesel and gasoline vehicular emissions have a negative impact on our air quality. AFVs produce fewer toxic emissions and are more common on our state’s roadways than ever before. Currently, it is estimated that there are between 5,000-10,000 AFVs registered in and/or passing through our state each day. Additionally, the availability of new affordable electric vehicle models with battery capacities that are comparable to the range of conventional vehicles has led to exponential growth of EV adoption in our state and country. With increased vehicle use, the chance of these vehicles being involved in an accident also increases. Up to 200 first responders would be trained on the differences between the various types of AFVs and conventional vehicles, and on the proper procedures for safely addressing incidents involving natural gas, propane, electric drive, and biofuel-powered vehicles. LCF also proposes hosting an electric vehicle extrication class for up to 120 first responders. In addition to the instructors and class materials for all of the classes proposed, LCF would procure wrecked electric vehicles (EVs) for hands-on instruction on how to safely cut into and properly get injured persons out of an EV. LCF Proposes that these courses be offered to first responders in locations where AFVs are most likely to frequent, such as: highly populated metro areas or in municipalities that are located near or on an alternative fuel corridor. AFV Training for our first responders would cover the following: • Train 200 first responders over 8 workdays for AFV Safety. 6 hour, one day class / 25 students per class • Train 120 first responders over 10 workdays for hands-on EV Extrication classes. 6 hour, one-day class / 12 students per class, 4 EVs per class (for a total of 40 wrecked EVs) • Covers all expenses for certified NAFTC instructors, course materials, lunch and refreshments Taught by certified instructors with fire fighting experience, this course will enable first responders to: • Recognize alternative fuel vehicle components • Identify the risks and hazards common to alternative fuel storage, including high-voltage batteries and high pressure gaseous fuel cylinders • Explain the major components of alternative fuel vehicle fueling and charging systems • Describe alternative fuel vehicle fueling and charging station safety systems • Identify the risks involved with the transport and handling of alternative fuels • List personal protective equipment necessary for firefighters when responding to an alternative fuel vehicle incident • List the steps required to secure an alternative fuel vehicle • List the steps for rescuing occupants from a damaged alternative fuel vehicle • Demonstrate proper fire response to an alternative fuel fire • Demonstrate proper response to a gaseous fuel leak

Lake Ponchartrain Water Quality Monitoring Program

This BEP proposes to continue LPBF’s successful Basin-wide water quality monitoring program, which has collected data since 2001. This program currently monitors 12 recreational sites on a weekly basis, and data generated for these activities are used to both accelerate pollution source tracking activities, and are leveraged in LPBFs STEM education programs. LPBF has sampled for water temperature (C), dissolved oxygen (mg/l), salinity (ppt), conductivity (mS), turbidity (NTU), and Secchi Disk transparency (m) fecal coliform, and Enterococcus microbiological indicators. LPBF disseminates the weekly water quality data collected to the public via posting on the LPBF website, on Facebook, on the LPBF Hydrocoast maps at the New Canal Lighthouse Museum, and distribute data to local media to educate basin citizens on lake water quality. The information generated over the course of this program has allowed for the development of location-specific scientific curricula, and has allowed swimmers and sportsmen to make an informed decision about using the lake for recreation or fishing. In the case of environmental events and/or poor water quality, it warns the public against the use of the lake (or portions of the lake) for a specified time period.

Revitalizing and beautifying New Orleans East

Little Heart is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing and beautifying New Orleans East through sustainable, community-focused projects. Their initiatives aim to enhance the quality of life for residents and attract further development to the area. Key Initiatives: • Tree Planting Along the Canal: Enhancing aesthetics and improving stormwater management. • Development of Walking Trails and Dog Parks: Fostering community engagement and increasing property values. • Rebuilding Eco-Friendly Bus Stops: Incorporating sustainable designs and advertising opportunities to support nonprofit operations.