Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1997-02-28

Duration: 00:22:54

Subjects: Environment | Pollution | Chemical industry

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Chapa, Arcie Reporter
• Ramirez, Deborah Speaker
• Tower, Nancy Interviewee
• Landry, Kathy Speaker
• Vincent, Donnie Speaker
• Rigmaiden, Herbert Speaker
• Szydlo, James Interviewee
• Alexander, Avery Interviewee
• Guillory, Elcie Speaker
• Cox, James Speaker
• Bowser, Gregory Interviewee

This segment from the February 28, 1997, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Arcie Chapa’s report on the debate over buffer zones, half-mile wide borders of land between new or expanding manufacturing plants and their neighbors. Chapa tags along on the House Environment Committee’s tour and field hearing in Calcasieu Parish to hear the concerns of residents about the environmental impact of industrial plants on their communities. It includes comments by: Deborah Ramirez, Lake Charles resident; Kathy Landry, Sulphur resident; Donnie Vincent, Vincent Settlement resident; Hebert Rigmaiden, Willow Springs resident; State Representative Elcie Guillory; and State Senator James Cox. She also interviews: Nancy Tower, Condea Vista; James Szydlo, technology manager; and State Representative Avery Alexander. Host Robert Collins then conducts an in-studio interview with Gregory Bowser, the director of governmental affairs for the Louisiana Chemical Association. He discusses: the buffer zone debate; the proposed environmental self-audit bill; and the dialogue between concerned citizens and industry.