Tagged: assumption parish

State highway officials say they'll start a six-month study early next year into the feasibility of an alternative route around an eight-acre sinkhole in northern Assumption Parish.

The Advocate says the study is the initial step the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development takes to consider a proposed highway.

DOTD spokesman Dustin Annison says the study will determine if "the route could be built in the affected area in the event that Louisiana 70 is compromised."

The Louisiana Office of Conservation has levied an additional $160,000 fine against Texas Brine Co. LLC.

Commissioner James Welsh says the fine levied Monday is for continued failure to comply with his directives for an 8-acre sinkhole and oil and methane releases in northern Assumption Parish.

Officials say tremors recorded in Assumption Parish since late May could be why a brine cavern encased within the Napoleonville salt dome failed and caused a massive sinkhole.

Texas Brine Co. spokesman Sonny Cranch said Tuesday a tool used to measure the depth of the cavern bottomed out 1,300 feet higher than anticipated. Cranch said the presence of this material indicates the cavern failed.

Officials say an abandoned brine cavern in the Napoleonville salt dome has been successfully breached.

State Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh said Monday the investigatory well entered the cavern Saturday evening. Officials say they hope samples taken from inside the cavern will shed some light on the cause behind a massive sinkhole that erupted in Assumption Parish Aug. 3.

Officials say natural gas samples taken from inside the cavern will be tested for connections with gas bubbles that have been identified in other areas of the parish.

Officials say they are one step closer to figuring out the cause behind the massive sinkhole that has been plaguing Assumption Parish for over a month.

State Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh said Wednesday that Texas Brine Co., the company that owns the brine cavern believed to be at fault, will be breaching the cavern Thursday afternoon.