Key facts
On August 5, 2026, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is in confidential settlement negotiations with Atalco regarding red mud waste from its Gramercy alumina refinery leaking into public waterways. A federal judge has stayed the citizen lawsuit filed by the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) until negotiations conclude. A follow-up inspection in May found that some dike breaches had been repaired, but one breach remained unrepaired, with unauthorized waste continuing to erode into a forested area and highly alkaline turbid water flowing through drainage ditches into Blind River swamp and Lake Maurepas.
Policy constraints
Atalco has a history of environmental violations, including air pollution permit violations and illegal mercury emissions, but fines have been relatively light. LEAN believes the lawsuit is necessary to ensure effective enforcement, while Atalco considers LDEQ enforcement already underway and the lawsuit unnecessary. State officials said the refinery is the only remaining bauxite refinery in the US and is of strategic importance.