SLS 12RS-1109 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 40
BY SENATOR PERRY
WATER/WATERWAYS. Requests the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, in
conjunction with appropriate member agencies, to jointly study the freshwater needs of the
Mermentau Basin and the feasibility of diverting Atchafalaya River water into the
Mermentau Basin.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, in conjunction with2
appropriate member agencies, to jointly study the freshwater needs of the Mermentau3
Basin and the feasibility of diverting Atchafalaya River water into the Mermentau4
Basin.5
WHEREAS, the Mermentau Basin contains approximately four hundred fifty6
thousand acres of wetlands, consisting of one hundred ninety thousand acres of fresh marsh,7
one hundred thirty-five thousand acres of intermediate marsh, and one hundred one thousand8
acres of brackish marsh; and 9
WHEREAS, a total of one hundred four thousand, three hundred eighty acres of10
marsh has been converted to open water since 1932, a loss of nineteen percent of the11
historical wetlands in the basin; and12
WHEREAS, the Mermentau Basin lies in the eastern portion of the Chenier Plain in13
Cameron and Vermilion parishes; and14
WHEREAS, the seven hundred thirty-four thousand acre basin is bounded on the east15
by Freshwater Bayou Canal, on the South by the Gulf of Mexico, on the west by Louisiana16
State Highway 27, and on the north by the coastal prairie; and17
WHEREAS, a joint study is needed to determine the freshwater needs of the18 SCR NO. 40
SLS 12RS-1109 ORIGINAL
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Mermentau Basin relative to agriculture, municipal, industrial, and wetland and ecosystem1
services; and2
WHEREAS, a freshwater diversion would support the existing and future3
infrastructure that serves to retain freshwater resources and reduce saltwater intrusion which4
threatens and ultimately destroys agriculture, wetland, and wildlife productivity; and5
WHEREAS, the drought of 2011 highlighted the fragility of the region's water6
resources, posed severe economic impacts, and resulted in emergency declarations by local7
governing bodies; and8
WHEREAS, Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast9
recognizes the importance of freshwater for wetland sustainability and identifies agriculture10
as an important ecosystem service, specifically in southwest Louisiana; and11
WHEREAS, the commissioner of agriculture is chairing an ad-hoc task force12
comprised of stakeholders, and state and federal officials to investigate the water resources13
of the Mermentau Basin and potential solutions to drought problems and freshwater14
deficiencies and make recommendations.15
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby16
urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, in conjunction with17
appropriate member agencies, to jointly study freshwater needs of the Mermentau Basin and18
the feasibility of diverting Atchafalaya River water into the Mermentau Basin and report19
findings and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House20
Committee on Natural Resources and Environment by March 1, 2013.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the22
executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.23
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Michelle Broussard-Johnson.
DIGEST
Perry SCR No. 40
Requests the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, in conjunction with appropriate
member agencies, to jointly study the freshwater needs of the Mermentau Basin and the
feasibility of diverting Atchafalaya River water into the Mermentau Basin.
Requires a report to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and to the House
Committee on Natural Resources and Environment by March 1, 2013.