Once surrounded by agriculture fields, the predominantly African-American community of Geismar in Ascension Parish is now surrounded by over 20 industrial facilities including Borden Chemical. BASF, PCS Nitrogen, and Shell Chemical. When EPA’s TRI first came out in 1987 Ascension Parish had the highest toxic releases in the state. 157,704,217 pounds of those toxic releases were in the Geismar area.
Venice Gage The best time to paddle to the Gulf is during low or medium water levels (0-2 on the Venice Gage), which usually occurs in the late summer and fall. This is excellent timing for long-distance paddlers, most of whom begin in Minnesota or Montana in May or June,
-12.5 Southeast Pass Island You can camp on the shell-strewn beaches of South Pass Island, but check tide forecasts, and make sure there aren’t any approaching storms or high winds out of the east or south. You might see coyote tracks along with blue crabs. The pelicans flock
-12.5 Channel Splits The water current slows considerably, and then seems to calm completely as the channel forks around Southeast Pass Island. Paddlers could go either direction here, but the best access to the beaches on the other side of the island would be the left-hand fork. Follow the
-15 North Pass Island Beaches The beaches at the end of North Pass Island would make a good place to make your last camp of your expedition (if the weather is good). In inclement weather, approach island from backside. Celebrate your arrival. And then turn back for higher and safer
-12.8 LBD North Pass Island Pass a Loutre opens up to a mile wide and splits off left bank into North Pass. Paddlers will find the best beaches on the ocean side of North Pass Island. Go to Google Mpas to decide best route and preferred beach location. There
-14.2 LBD East Jetty End If it’s a calm day you can paddle right down the full extent of the South Pass over 14 miles from Mile -0- and past the end of the East Jetty one mile from shore. (Note: do not attempt this in high winds