Jindal says he’ll visit Bayou Corne community

After meeting with Assumption Parish officials and area legislators today to discuss the state’s ongoing response to the sinkhole that formed in the Bayou Corne community, Gov. Bobby Jindal released a statement calling for expedited property buyouts for those who have been displaced. The governor also laid out plans for a personal visit. Jindal has faced heavy criticism recently from some Bayou Corne residents and several media outlets for not visiting the community since the sinkhole formed last summer as a result of problems with a salt dome cavern mined by Texas Brine. Jindal says he plans to meet with Texas Brine on Wednesday to push for buyouts for those forced to evacuate because of the sinkhole. He says he’ll visit the Bayou Corne community to review progress for himself next week. “We had a productive meeting today to discuss the state’s ongoing response to the sinkhole and outline a contingency plan after concerns were raised about a second Texas Brine salt dome cavern,” Jindal says in a prepared release. “Regarding the concerns with the second Texas Brine salt dome cavern—according to the Department of Natural Resources, there are no data at this time to suggest a failure is occurring or that a failure is imminent. But we are not taking anything for granted.”