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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 40
BY SENATOR PERRY
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request 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.
WHEREAS, the Mermentau Basin contains approximately four hundred fifty
thousand acres of wetlands, consisting of one hundred ninety thousand acres of fresh marsh,
one hundred thirty-five thousand acres of intermediate marsh, and one hundred one thousand
acres of brackish marsh; and
WHEREAS, a total of one hundred four thousand, three hundred eighty acres of
marsh has been converted to open water since 1932, a loss of nineteen percent of the
historical wetlands in the basin; and
WHEREAS, the Mermentau Basin lies in the eastern portion of the Chenier Plain in
Cameron and Vermilion parishes; and
WHEREAS, the seven hundred thirty-four thousand acre basin is bounded on the east
by Freshwater Bayou Canal, on the South by the Gulf of Mexico, on the west by Louisiana
State Highway 27, and on the north by the coastal prairie; and
WHEREAS, a joint study is needed to determine the freshwater needs of the
Mermentau Basin relative to agriculture, municipal, industrial, and wetland and ecosystem
services; and
WHEREAS, a freshwater diversion would support the existing and future
infrastructure that serves to retain freshwater resources and reduce saltwater intrusion which
threatens and ultimately destroys agriculture, wetland, and wildlife productivity; and
WHEREAS, the drought of 2011 highlighted the fragility of the region's water
resources, posed severe economic impacts, and resulted in emergency declarations by local
governing bodies; and SCR NO. 40 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast
recognizes the importance of freshwater for wetland sustainability and identifies agriculture
as an important ecosystem service, specifically in southwest Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the commissioner of agriculture is chairing an ad-hoc task force
comprised of stakeholders, and state and federal officials to investigate the water resources
of the Mermentau Basin and potential solutions to drought problems and freshwater
deficiencies and make recommendations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, in conjunction with
appropriate member agencies, to jointly study freshwater needs of the Mermentau Basin and
the feasibility of diverting Atchafalaya River water into the Mermentau Basin and report
findings and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House
Committee on Natural Resources and Environment by March 1, 2013.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES