HLS 14RS-1671 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 47
BY REPRESENTATIVES BROADWATER AND STUART BI SHOP
WATERWAYS/LAKES: Urges and requests the Department of Environmental Quality to
report to the legislature what would be required to clean up Capitol Lake
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Department of Environmental Quality to report to the legislature2
what would be required to clean up Capitol Lake.3
WHEREAS, Capitol Lake, including its smaller component located to the south and4
east, has a long and storied history including having once been known as Bayou Garrison5
named for the garrisons that quartered along its banks and was a strategic element of the6
Battle of Baton Rouge in August of 1862; and7
WHEREAS, as the city of Baton Rouge grew, the original development of the city8
was along the Mississippi River in what is now the downtown area and most of the9
population was located close to the bayou and later the lake, including the original location10
of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; and11
WHEREAS, the bayou was eventually closed off from the Mississippi River which12
created the lake that we all know now as Capitol Lake, named for the fact that it is located13
directly north of the Louisiana State Capitol; and14
WHEREAS, Capitol Lake has been a significant part of the environs about the15
Louisiana State Capitol and contributes to the beauty of those environs, particularly where16
tourism is concerned; and17
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Capitol is one of the most visited sites in the state18
by visitors to the state, partially because it is the state capitol but also because it is one of19
only two skyscraper-style capitols in the country and because of the beauty of its Art Deco20
styling; and21 HLS 14RS-1671 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 47
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WHEREAS, through the years, unfortunately, the esthetic value of the lake has not1
been appreciated, and it was used as a wastewater receiving body and as a drainage basin for2
facilities and roads located nearby the lake resulting in a loss of water quality and a reduction3
in the attractiveness of the lake; and4
WHEREAS, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the concentration of polychlorinated5
biphenyls (PCBs) was so high that signs were posted along the banks of the lake warning6
people not to consume fish taken from the lake; and7
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Capitol is considered by many to be the welcoming8
point for visitors to the state and, as a person would want his front yard and front door to be9
kept attractive to welcome visitors to his home, so Louisianians want the area around the10
state capitol to be kept in an appropriate manner to welcome the world to the state of11
Louisiana; and12
WHEREAS, with continued siltation from the Northdale Canal to the east of the13
south lake portion of Capitol Lake and evaporation of the water during drought conditions14
that have been experienced recently in Louisiana, the lakes are beginning to silt in and15
degrade, leading to the lakes being a significantly less attractive element of the state capitol16
area; and17
WHEREAS, such degradation, essentially on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol,18
is unfortunate and speaks badly of Louisiana's desire to put our best foot forward and our19
state agencies should take the lead in rectifying the situation; and20
WHEREAS, improving the situation for Capitol Lake will require an assessment of21
the lake and the steps needed to rectify years of neglect and will involve multiple state22
agencies.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby24
urge and request the Department of Environmental Quality to report to the legislature what25
would be required to clean up the appearance of Capitol Lake and to make the water quality26
appropriate for a fish habitat.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Environmental Quality make28
use of the expertise of other state agencies, particularly the Department of Wildlife and29
Fisheries, the Department of Natural Resources, and the State Land Office, and that the other30 HLS 14RS-1671 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 47
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state agencies lend their expertise to the Department of Environmental Quality for this study1
and report.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report be presented to the House Committee3
on Natural Resources and Environment, the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate4
Committee on Natural Resources, and the Senate Committee on Finance no later than March5
1, 2015.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the7
secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.8
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Broadwater HCR No. 47
Urges and requests the Dept. of Environmental Quality to report to the legislature what
would be required to clean up the appearance of Capitol Lake and to make the water quality
appropriate for a fish habitat.
Requires that a report be presented to the House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment, the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Natural
Resources, and the Senate Committee on Finance no later than March 1, 2015.