At Landrieu's Request, Army Comes to Table to Find Solution for Camp Minden Cleanup

Press Release

At Senator Mary L. Landrieu's, D-La., (Military Mary), request, a senior official at the U.S. Army met with community and business leaders from Northwest Louisiana to discuss the cleanup of explosive materials at Camp Minden. During the meeting, state representatives, state and local officials, leaders from the Louisiana National Guard and business advocates who traveled to Washington, had the opportunity to voice their concerns to Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

Today's meeting in Sen. Landrieu's office was the first time the Army met face-to-face with state and local leaders to discuss a solution to clean up the more than 15 million pounds of M-6 propellant abandoned by the Explo Company.

"When I was asked by several local leaders to work and bring all parties involved in this issue to sit down and work toward a solution to cleanup and dispose of propellant at Camp Minden, I was happy to help. At my request, the Army came to the table for the first time to find a quick, affordable and long-term solution. Today was the beginning of getting these discussions to move in the right direction. I remain committed to working with our local leaders and all those involved to ensure the Army stays at the table and takes complete responsibility for the cleanup," Sen. Landrieu said.

"I believe the Army came to realize a sense of urgency we face at Camp Minden and being able to communicate that is a positive. I appreciate Sen. Landrieu getting the Army to meet with us," said State Rep. Gene Reynolds.

"I was pleased to be part of today's meeting that included the Army for the first time. I was able to underscore and explain to the Army the economic impact that Camp Minden has had, does have, and will have. But until this propellant is cleaned up, we cannot move forward. The Army should know that this is a safety issue and also an economic issue. I commend Sen. Landrieu on her continued efforts to secure funding for the cleanup at Camp Minden," said Jerri de Pingre', President and CEO of the Minden South Webster Chamber of Commerce.

"This isn't a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. This is a Louisiana issue, and I truly appreciate Sen. Landrieu using her position and office to get the Army to the table for the first time today. Camp Minden holds great potential for our region as an economic engine, and this is a good step forward to turn the engine on and keep our communities safe," said State Rep. Jeff Thompson.

"Working with Sen. Landrieu, we continue to move forward with all parties involved to reach a resolution that's so important to Northwest Louisiana. The state agencies want to get this addressed," said Peggy Hatch, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

"The Louisiana National Guard is encouraged by today's meeting and the Army's growing involvement. We appreciate Sen. Landrieu using her leadership to serve Camp Minden and bringing the Army to the table with us to fully communicate our concerns and find a solution to get the situation resolved," said Major General Stephen Dabadie of the Louisiana National Guard.

The Strategic Action Council of NWLA sent a letter praising Sen. Landrieu for her efforts, "We commend you for your continued efforts for the clean-up of M-6 propellant at Camp Minden... Camp Minden's further growth and economic contribution to our northwest Louisiana region depends on a successful clean-up effort."

Sen. Landrieu received a letter last month from the Minden South Webster Chamber of Commerce and other local leaders urging her to work with to bring the Army to the table to commit funding for the Camp Minden cleanup. Read the letter sent to Sen. Landrieu.

Attending the meeting from Louisiana were State Rep. Gene Reynolds, Webster Jury President Jim Bonsall, Jerri de Pingre' of the Minden Chamber of Commerce, and Peggy Hatch from Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Also attending the meeting were Major General Glenn Curtis, Major General Stephen Dabadie, Major Dirk Thibodeaux, and Colonel Ronnie Stuckey of the Louisiana National Guard.

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