After a three-year delay, the state and several south Louisiana parishes have finalized a 100-million dollar legal settlement with Freeport-McMoRan over damages the mining company did to the coast. Attorney John Carmouche represents six of the coastal parishes involved in the suit and said…
“They’re going to receive millions of dollars and so will the state for coastal restoration to restore the coast back to its original condition. That’s what the suit’s about.”
This is one of dozens of lawsuits seeking monetary damages against oil and gas companies over damage to coastal wetlands. A federal court has determined such cases should be heard in state court. Carmouche expects other oil companies will seek to settle.
“I mean I’ve already been contacted by other operators who see now that we can get this done. It can be accomplished.”
Several parish leaders like Lafourche President Archie Chaisson and Terrebonne president Gordon Dove oppose the lawsuits. Dove called the settlement a money grab by trial lawyers and has praised the oil and gas industry for providing good-paying jobs, but Carmouche said these lawsuits are holding back the oil and gas development, and the industry will prosper once these suits are settled.
“All companies can come in and operate knowing that they can’t be held responsible for somebody else’s wrongdoing and that’s been the problem for Louisiana for many, many years.”
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