By LEONARD GRAY

LAPLACE – Additional site investigation at the old Godchaux-Henderson Sugar Refinery in Reserve will cost the Port of South Louisiana another $23,000, according to a recently approved agreement.

The port bought the property in 1992 and since made it the foundation of Globalplex dock facility. The decaying refinery buildings have nearly all been removed.

Additionally, three underground gasoline storage tanks were removed 10 years ago, but remediation by the former owners have been delayed which has since resulted in legal action by the port.

Executive Director Joseph Accardo Jr. recently told the port commission further site assessment is needed, prior to more cleanup operation, as required by the state Department of Environmental Quality.

In another matter before the port commission, a public hearing on raising the minimum dockage fees at grain elevators, from $12,000 to $25,000, had no written or oral response. The commission unanimously approved the increase, which matches dockage fees at privately-owned facilities, which went into effect some months ago, according to Accardo.

The increase will go into effect at the port-owned dock facities at Peavey Grain, ADM and K-2 grain elevators.

In his report, Accardo told the commission the general cargo dock at Globalplex remains busy, and the bulk dock is idle, which is normal during winter months when concrete shipping is down. Meanwhile, the bulk dock is undergoing maintainence.

On Feb. 3, the port will receive bids on roof repairs at the Globalplex offices, and contracts will go to bid this spring on the internal roads project, Accardo said.

Also, the port security study will be concluding in late March.

The port commission agreed to work with Marathon/Ashland for the temporary storage of railroad tank cars at Globalplex. Accardo said the cars will sometimes contain plastics from the refinery.

A planned review on insurance coverage for commission members and certain employees traveling overseas on port business, to cover accidental death or injury, was tabled for further input.