Preservation Issues - Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield

Today, the Mansfield Battlefield is under siege. The tranquil countryside and the historic site at Mansfield have suffered from years of neglect and, without a doubt, the state budgets have been inadequate to fund and preserve the historic past and the hallowed ground.

Lignite Mining Threatens Preservation The years of neglect are benign compared to the current assault on the battlefield—a power company’s lignite mining that gobbles up this battlefield with two dragline buckets scooping up soil equal to the volume of a three-bedroom home. The lignite mine threatens important sites on the battlefield, having had free rein of the area for more than a decade. The Dolet Hills Mining Venture is being operated by AEP-SWEPCO, an affiliate of the national energy giant headquartered in Ohio. We seek to encourage them to preserve areas that have been identified as important as the story of history is being told today and to future generations.

This battlefield has been named among the most endangered battlefields by the Civil War Preservation Trust.
It has been named the No. 1 most endangered historic site in the State of Louisiana by Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
It was cited in by the Louisiana Preservation Alliance as one of the ten most endangered historic sites in the State of Louisiana in 2002.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting has featured the Mansfield State Historic Site and the issue of strip mining for lignite as part of its programming on Louisiana issues. In this segment, reporter and show host Jeff Duhe, visits the historic site and the lignite mine and interviews key players in the controversy – preservation versus economic interests. Our thanks go to Louisiana Public Broadcasting for their permission to use this enlightening video.

Let these people or organizations know you are interested in Preservation of the Mansfield Battlefield. We've provided email addresses on all -- go to their Web sites to find additional information or mailing addresses if that's what you prefer. And pass this request on to your friends!

AEP-SWEPCO
(operating lignite mining in Mansfield Battlefield)

E. Linn Draper, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and
Thomas V. Shockley, III, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
American Electric Power - Corporate Headquarters
1 Riverside Plaza
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2372

Governor Kathleen Blanco
To contact the governor's office log on to http://www.gov.state.la.us/govemail.asp
You may write her at
Office of the Governor
Attn: Constituent Services
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA. 70804-9004
Telephone Number: (225) 342-0991
Facsimile: (225) 342-7099

Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu
ltgov@crt.state.la.us
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
P.O. Box 44243
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4243
Phone: 225-342-7009
Fax: 225-342-1949

Angele Davis
She is secretary of the Department of Recreation and Tourism. She has direct responsibility over the site.
P.O. Box 94361, Baton Rouge LA 70804-9361
adavis@crt.state.la.us
Phone: 225-342-8115
Fax: 225-342-3207

Foster Campbell
He is the public service commissioner representing the North Louisiana. The Louisiana Public Service Commission regulates utilities and has oversight of AEP-SWEPCO's activities.
P.O. Drawer E, Shreveport LA 71101
gregm@lpsc.org

LOUISIANA SENATE
You may communicate via the Web site for the Senate: www.senate.legis.state.la.us

The Senator Representing DeSoto Parish (Mansfield) is:
Senator Sherri Smith Cheek
9973 Mansfield Road, Keithville, LA 71047 Phone: 318-687-4820

Senators Representing Caddo Parish (Shreveport) are:
Senator Lydia Jackson
610 Texas St. Suite 201, Shreveport, LA 71101 Phone: 318-676-7029

Senator Max Malone
610 Marshall St., Suite 772, Shreveport LA 71101 Phone: 318-676-5733
malonem@legis.state.la.us

Louisiana Representatives
You may communicate via the Web site for the House at:
www.house.legis.state.la.us

Beverly Bruce (representing Mansfield)
P.O. Box 884, Mansfield, LA 71052 Phone: 318-872-1666, Fax: 872-3764
rep007@legis.state.la.us

Joe Salter (representing southern DeSoto Parish)
P.O. Box 250, Florien LA 71429 Phone: 318-259-4135 Fax: 318-256-4137