Photo: Associated Press
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In this undated photo provided by the Louisiana State Police via The Advocate, shallow wells will be drilled in the vicinity of the sinkhole that emerged Aug. 3 in Assumption Parish swamplands in Bayou Corne, La.. The wells will be used to monitor the amount of natural gas being carried by an underground aquifer atop the Napoleonville Dome near Bayou Corne. (AP Photo/Louisiana State Police via The Advocate) less
In this undated photo provided by the Louisiana State Police via The Advocate, shallow wells will be drilled in the vicinity of the sinkhole that emerged Aug. 3 in Assumption Parish swamplands in Bayou Corne, ... more
Photo: Associated Press
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Diesel sheen is seen on the water in an aerial view of the sinkhole, left, at at Bayou Corne near Pierre Part, La., Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. State officials said Monday that small amounts of diesel hydrocarbons were found in swamp water where an acre of swampland liquefied over the weekend, while experts try to determine whether the occurrence was natural or manmade.Texas Brine Co. LLC facility, is seen at top left; a well pad for a plugged and abandoned salt cavern is at top right. (AP Photo/The Baton Rouge Advocate, Bill Feig) MAGS OUT; INTERNET OUT; NO SALES; TV OUT; NO FORNS; LOUISIANA BUSINESS INC. OUT less
Diesel sheen is seen on the water in an aerial view of the sinkhole, left, at at Bayou Corne near Pierre Part, La., Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. State officials said Monday that small amounts of diesel hydrocarbons ... more
Photo: Bill Feig, MBR
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Bubbles come to the surface where pipelines come across Bayou Corne near Pierre Part, La., Tuesday Aug. 7, 2012. A pipeline sign is seen at right. State officials said Monday that small amounts of diesel hydrocarbons were found in swamp water where an acre of swampland liquefied over the weekend, while experts try to determine whether the occurrence was natural or manmade.Texas Brine Co. LLC facility, is seen at top left; a well pad for a plugged and abandoned salt cavern is at top right. less
Bubbles come to the surface where pipelines come across Bayou Corne near Pierre Part, La., Tuesday Aug. 7, 2012. A pipeline sign is seen at right. State officials said Monday that small amounts of diesel ... more
Photo: Bill Feig, AP
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In this Tuesday Jan. 22, 2013 photo, an aerial of the Assumption Parish Sinkhole is shown in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move. The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/The Advocate, Bill Feig) MAGS OUT / INTERNET OUT / ONLINE OUT / NO SALES / TV OUT / FOREIGN OUT / LOUISIANA BUSINESS INC. OUT / GREATER BATON ROUGE BUSINESS REPORT OUT / 225 OUT / 10/12 OUT / IN REGISTER OUT / LBI CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT : THE ADVOCATE/BILL FEIG / less
In this Tuesday Jan. 22, 2013 photo, an aerial of the Assumption Parish Sinkhole is shown in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their ... more
Photo: Bill Feig, MBR
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In this Tuesday Jan. 22, 2013 photo, an aerial view of the Assumption Parish Sinkhole is shown, in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move. The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/The Advocate, Bill Feig) MAGS OUT / INTERNET OUT / ONLINE OUT / NO SALES / TV OUT / FOREIGN OUT / LOUISIANA BUSINESS INC. OUT / GREATER BATON ROUGE BUSINESS REPORT OUT / 225 OUT / 10/12 OUT / IN REGISTER OUT / LBI CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT : THE ADVOCATE/BILL FEIG / less
In this Tuesday Jan. 22, 2013 photo, an aerial view of the Assumption Parish Sinkhole is shown, in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near ... more
Photo: Bill Feig, MBR
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In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, Kenny Simoneaux looks out the door of the camper he is living in, in a campground in Pierre Part, La., after being displaced by the mandatory evacuation from the approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move? The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less
In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, Kenny Simoneaux looks out the door of the camper he is living in, in a campground in Pierre Part, La., after being displaced by the mandatory evacuation from the ... more
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF
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In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, contractors use a vacuum truck to clean up crude oil that has risen to the surface of an approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move? The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less
In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, contractors use a vacuum truck to clean up crude oil that has risen to the surface of an approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne ... more
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF
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In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, the original wellhead is seen next to an approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move? The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less
In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, the original wellhead is seen next to an approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole ... more
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF
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In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, Texas Brine, Inc. spokesperson Sonny Cranch highlights work being done to remediate the approximately 22-acre sinkhole, seen behind him, in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move? The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less
In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, Texas Brine, Inc. spokesperson Sonny Cranch highlights work being done to remediate the approximately 22-acre sinkhole, seen behind him, in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in ... more
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF
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In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, a truck hauling dirt rides along a berm set up to contain an approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move? The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less
In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, a truck hauling dirt rides along a berm set up to contain an approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after ... more
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF
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In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, an approximate 22-acre sinkhole is seen in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move? The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less
In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, an approximate 22-acre sinkhole is seen in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: ... more
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF
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In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, contractors use a vacuum truck to clean up crude oil that has risen to the surface of an approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move? The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less
In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, contractors use a vacuum truck to clean up crude oil that has risen to the surface of an approximate 22-acre sinkhole in Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne ... more
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF
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In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, houses under a mandatory evacuation order, due to an approximate 22-acre sinkhole are seen along Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision after a huge sinkhole opened up near their community: Do they stay put or should they pack up and move. The sinkhole resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of swampland liquefied into muck, the community’s 350 residents were advised to evacuate. Texas Brine Co., the operator of the salt dome, is negotiating buyouts of residents who have not joined lawsuits against the company. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less
In this Thursday, June 27, 2013 photo, houses under a mandatory evacuation order, due to an approximate 22-acre sinkhole are seen along Bayou Corne, La. Neighbors in tiny Bayou Corne face a wrenching decision ... more
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF
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In this Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 photo, crews install vent wells and geo probes at a site on the Triche property, west of the Bayou Corne, La. sinkhole. (AP Photo/The Baton Rouge Advocate, Adam Lau) MAGS OUT; INTERNET OUT; NO SALES; TV OUT; NO FORNS; LOUISIANA BUSINESS INC. OUT (INCLUDING GREATER BATON ROUGE BUSINESS REPORT, 225, 10/12, INREGISTER, LBI CUSTOM) less
In this Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 photo, crews install vent wells and geo probes at a site on the Triche property, west of the Bayou Corne, La. sinkhole. (AP Photo/The Baton Rouge Advocate, Adam Lau) MAGS OUT; ... more
Photo: Adam Lau, Associated Press

Two cracks have appeared in a containment berm around a huge Louisiana sinkhole tied to a Houston-based company.

The cracks, reported Oct. 30, have halted activity at five or six wells that were put on the berm to help ventilate the sinkhole and provide observation spots, said John Boudreaux, director of the Assumption Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

"The (observation) work outside of the immediate sinkhole continues," Boudreaux said Friday. "There's 40-some vent wells but only five or six on the containment berm."

The wells also offer a means of sampling for contamination, he said.

Texas Brine Co., whose corporate headquarters is in Houston, is named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit filed in August by residents who had to evacuate their homes last year because of the sinkhole.

According to the suit, a sinkhole measuring 422 feet deep and 273 feet wide appeared Aug. 3, 2012, in the wooded swamp near Bayou Corne in Assumption Parish.

The suit alleges that the sinkhole and resulting contamination were the result of the collapse of a salt cavern owned by Texas Brine.

The hole's last observable growth was in August of this year, when Boudreaux shot a video showing a pond swallowing whole trees.

Since then, the visible growth has stopped but seismic activity, measured by underground instruments placed at depths as low as 3,000 feet, has increased, Boudreaux said.

It's unclear what the significance of the seismic activity is, he said.

A blog site maintained by the Assumption Parish Police Jury posts regular updates from both Boudreaux's office and Texas Brine.

"We try to give them the best we can in layman's terms," Boudreaux said. "That's one of the things we committed to the residents here - to try to give them what we know."

Boudreaux, who said he has been working seven days a week for the past 18 months, said he also is committed to seeing the incident through to the end.

"It's still an ongoing incident," he said. "We don't know when promising results will occur, but we continue to be on task."

Texas Brine's website has a section titled the Bayou Corne Incident 2012 Response Site (http://www.texasbrine.com/response/). It includes regular updates about the sinkhole as well as contact information for Texas Brine's Houston office and Assumption Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness.