The nation lost a fiery environmental justice warrior on Saturday March 30, 2013 with the death of Emelda West, an 87-year old “take no prisoner” Marine Corps-type leader who became a hero to thousands of environmental justice activists around the country. She was the proud mother of seven children, nineteen grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren.

Since May 2011, residents of the Melia Community have complained of structural damage to their property as a result of the Dwyer Road Drainage Project.  Although the Sewerage and Water Board responded in writing to a complaint from Mrs. Johnette Jackson on June 3, 2011, no action was taken to resolve her complaints or the  complaints from other residents from the Melia Community. On May 25, 2012, the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) organized a meeting for residents from the Melia Community to meet with representatives from the Corps of Engineers