Update: On May 16, 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) launched a public comment period to ask for community input on whether or not to designate the historic 11-mile stretch where Greenfield wants to build as a National Historic Landmark. This is a huge step forward for the campaign — if the NPS designates the area as a National Historic Landmark, it will stop Greenfield’s toxic project for good. You can leave a comment here; the deadline to submit is August 30, 2024.

The West Bank of St. John the Baptist Parish, a pristine 11-mile stretch along the Mississippi River, is a historic and cultural gem that is on the brink of irreversible damage.

This area, recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Places due to the proposed influx of toxic industry, is home to many descendants of enslaved people from the nearby Whitney and Evergreen Plantations. Its survival as an agrarian landscape for over 300 years stands as a testament to its significance and resilience.

But now, Greenfield Louisiana LLC, a company from Denver, wants to erase this vital history by building what would be one of the world’s largest grain elevators — the Greenfield Terminal — in the heart of this historic area. This towering structure, as tall as the Louisiana Superdome, would cause serious environmental harm, potentially disturb archaeological remains and burial grounds, and become a gateway for further industrialization by the oil and gas industry. 

The time to act is now. By letting this project advance, we risk losing irreplaceable cultural assets and the chance for St. John’s community to explore other sustainable economic opportunities that can bring in good jobs that don’t create so much irreversible harm. 

In partnership with the Descendants Project and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, we are urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny the permit for the Greenfield Terminal, and respect the rich history and culture of this region.

Your signature can make a difference. Stand with us to prevent this toxic industrial development, safeguard Louisiana’s shared heritage, and protect its future. Sign and share the petition today to show decision-makers that we won’t stand idly by and let industrial expansion steamroll our communities.

*This is the second phase of our campaign with the Descendants Project to block the Greenfield Grain Terminal. You can see the first phase of the campaign here, and learn more more about how the terminal would open the door to new, toxic industry in Cancer Alley.