The St. Mary Levee District met in emergency session Thursday to approve a permit to repair a pipeline south of Calumet.

The problem was identified Wednesday by pipeline owner Columbia Gulf Transmission Inc., of Charleston, W. Va., and they received letters of no objection from both the district and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the work.

The company lowered pressure in the line and is expediting repairs in an effort to keep production as high as possible, according to Levee District Executive Director Hillary Thibodeaux.

The pipeline in question is south of Todd's Boat Landing. Following the Wax Lake Outlet, it is in the curve of the east bank.

Thibodeaux indicated the district had received no objections from the Corps in granting the permit.

Work is slated to begin this morning and should be complete by Monday. The district will monitor progress and give final approval when the job is complete.