Since welcoming me aboard in October as your first Delta Chapter Director, the incredibly talented, informed, and committed members of the Sierra Club Delta Chapter have taught me a great deal about what it means to be a member of this nearly 50-year-old chapter. This is a group not only steeped in history and tradition, but also one privileged to have made an indelible mark on the history of environmental protection and law in Louisiana. Last fall, I met one of those historical figures in the flesh.
On that brisk November morning, Willie Fontenot accompanied me on a drive down the river road from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, pointing out industrial facilities and their fenceline communities along the way. As we drove through the town of Burnside, Willie suggested we stop for lunch at a delightful local restaurant called The Cabin. Coincidentally, I visited this restaurant only this past September with my children on a whim during a road trip, and was completely charmed by its hodge-pot collection of historic Acadian structures and authentic Cajun recipes. (The kids enjoyed feeding the catfish in the pond leftover cornbread muffins.)
Willie asked our server to check and see if Mr. Al was in. A few minutes later, a middle-aged man with piercing blue eyes and a kind smile pulled up a chair at our table, warmly greeted Willie, and introduced himself to me as Al Robert (pronounced Roh-BEAR), the owner of The Cabin Restaurant.
Willie asked me, "Have you ever heard of the Save Ourselves case?" Of course I had - I studied environmental law in Louisiana. Save Ourselves v. LA Environmental Control Commission is arguably the single most important case in the history of Louisiana environmental law; that's where we get the IT factors from. (For more information, check out Tulane Law School Professor Oliver Houck's law review article "Save Ourselves: The Environmental Case that Changed Louisiana.") Willie said, "Well, this is the man responsible for that case."
I'm still kicking myself for not grabbing a selfie with Al Robert.
With the help of the Sierra Club Delta Chapter, Louisiana has protected its scenic rivers, given teeth to its constitutional mandate to protect our environment, and reduced toxic emissions to our air, water, and soil. It is truly my honor to help this organization continue its work to achieve environmental safety for our land and our people. I have an open door (or, at least, and open email account). Please reach out to me any time to let me know your ideas about how we can help the Delta Chapter reach its potential in Louisiana.