BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana lawmakers are planning to hold a joint meeting of the Senate and House Natural Resources committees in mid-February about the large sinkhole in northern Assumption Parish.

State Sen. Rick Ward III, vice chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, told The Advocate the joint hearing, which he said has been discussed for months, would likely be held at the State Capitol.

The 8.5-acre sinkhole, which scientists have said they think formed as a result of a failed Texas Brine Co. LLC salt cavern, has forced a nearly six-monthlong evacuation of 150 residences in the Grand Bayou and Bayou Corne areas.

A variety of state agencies have been responding to the sinkhole with Houston-based Texas Brine, but the response has drawn criticism from some quarters for its pace.

The state of Louisiana sued Texas Brine LLC on Friday for the environmental damage and massive sinkhole that officials say was caused by the collapse of a salt dome cavern operated by the company. (Associated Press)

Adam Lau