COVINGTON, La. (AP) - An environmental group in St. Tammany has launched a new effort to curtail a fracking project, which started last week.

The New Orleans Advocate (http://bit.ly/1FyGUC2 ) reports Preserve St. Tammany plans to ask the Parish Council to put a referendum before voters on whether to require an ”industrial impact bond’ for large projects.

Preserve St. Tammany spokesman Mike Stagg says if the referendum passes, it would mean any company that wants to put a heavy industrial development in the parish must pay for a bond to help defray the cost of any damages or accidents. Stagg says the goal is to stop companies from drilling in the parish.

Helis Oil & Gas Co. began construction last week on their St. Tammany Parish oil well.

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Information from: The New Orleans Advocate, http://www.neworleansadvocate.com