WALLACE, La. – Lined with standing remains of sugar plantations and the resilience of Creole culture is Louisiana’s stretch of the Great River Road. Starting in Minnesota and ending at the Gulf of Mexico, the Great River Road follows the historic Mississippi River. The National Park Service recently withdrew the potential landmark consideration for an 11-mile portion located in Louisiana.
The National Parks Service, which is one of many federal agencies tasked with protecting America’s natural resources, denied the request to make the area a national landmark. This came after the National Parks Service completed a multi-year review of the request.
From summer 2023 through summer 2024, the agency evaluated the site’s historical context and value. However, some locals believe the reason for the withdrawal is due to the new presidential administration.
Local response
“We know that the DEQ requested it to be withdrawn, citing the idea that the process was too hasty,” said Ashley Rogers, Executive Director of the Whitney Plantation. “This is false: this has been a long process that has followed standard procedure and had a long period of public comments, which was even extended to allow for more people to submit comments.”
She continued, “Changing administrations have different priorities and I believe that the DEQ saw an opening with the new administration to have this district reconsidered. This is almost certainly a move that is intended to make it easier for heavy industry to move into this area.”
The study had initially deemed the area of similar importance to other national landmarks such as Mount Rushmore and the Lincoln Memorial. Louisiana’s Great River landscape holds a well-preserved history of our nation’s slave-holding past.
The state’s Department of Environmental Quality submitted the withdrawal request. Louisiana’s DEQ has a not-so-hidden history of favoring actions that promote industrial expansion.
When asked about some of the negative side effects the Whitney Plantation may face due to a lack of national recognition she said, “This area is already nationally recognized in the minds of people, just not by the government.”
She continued, “The real potential negative here is expanding heavy industry into this area that has remained relatively untouched for so long.”
Voices in the industrial world are already vocalizing their support for decision and excitement at the possibility of expanding their enterprises. Port of South Louisiana, an industrial region of petroleum refining, grain and petrochemical transfer and storage facilities, has applauded the decision. They believe the landmark status would, “suppress job creation and economic development in St. John, St. James and St. Charles Parishes.”
What is a national landmark?
National landmarks are places the Secretary of the Interior declares to be of historical or cultural significance. Sights with this title receive certain protection that may otherwise make the sights vulnerable to resource exploitation or destruction. Examples include Martin Luther King’s birthplace, Alcatraz and Pearl Harbor.
All of which fall under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
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Tulsa’s Greenwood District also hopes to become a national monument. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have previously filed legislation that would preserve Black Wall Street’s history.
There are many designations for important historical and cultural sights in the US. Whether they are landmarks, monuments, parks or battlegrounds, these recognitions come with a unique set of perks. These sights become public lands, meaning the federal government finances their care for everyone to enjoy.
Louisiana v. The US
Social and environmental injustice have long plagued the state of Louisiana. The state is home to the infamous stretch of land known as Cancer Alley. Along this nearly 100-mile corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans hosts hundreds of petrochemical facilities. The toxic fumes emitting from the plants spread cancer-causing chemicals into the air. This has a disastrous impact on the health of the communities who house them.
When President Biden held office, his administration attempted to address some of these environmental injustices. In January 2024, he paused a lease for a liquid gas export terminal. However, this was less about the health of Louisiana communities and more related to diverting away from fossil fuels.
In the same month, a federal judge barred the EPA from enforcing civil rights regulations in Cancer Alley. The back and forth between federal judges, agencies and local governments has left some grassroots organizations frustrated.
It remains unclear what the future of Louisiana’s Great River Road may be. Without national protection, buyers could acquire and privatize it for unknown future uses.
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