RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 72 (HB 352) 2015 Regular Session Leger
Existing law authorizes an "acquiring authority" to acquire land for facilitation of the
development, design, and implementation of coastal conservation, restoration, protection, or
management plans by the state, its political subdivisions, or the state and federal
governments. New law retains existing law but uses the term "integrated coastal protection
project" to cover all the possible projects outlined in current law.
Prior law provided that the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources may, after
consultation with other state agencies, enter into an agreement with respect to ownership of
minerals and other matters. New law changes the approval authority from the secretary of
the Dept. of Natural Resources to the executive director of the Coastal Protection and
Restoration Authority.
Prior law provided for a process whereby land lost through erosion, compaction, subsidence,
or sea level rise can be reclaimed by the previous owner. Application was to have been made
to the Dept. of Natural Resources and permits must be issued by the State Land Office. New
law retains the permitting process but provides that the application is submitted to the State
Land Office who then issues the permit.
Prior law used outdated references to the "Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority" and outdated descriptions of coastal protection and restoration projects. New law
updates those references to the "Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority" and
"integrated coastal protection projects".
Prior law authorized the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources to enter into agreements
with land owners adjacent to state water bottoms who have a right to reclaim land in order
to allow perpetual, transferrable ownership of mineral rights in order to facilitate coastal
projects. New law changed that authorization to the executive director of the Coastal
Protection and Restoration Authority, after consultation with the Dept. of Natural Resources.
Existing law provides that no reclamation can be permitted if the Dept. of Natural Resources,
the State Land Office, or the Attorney General objects. New law adds the Coastal Protection
and Restoration Authority to the list of entities that may object to issuance of a reclamation
permit.
Effective Aug. 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 41:1702(C), (D)(intro. para.) and (1), (2)(a)(i), (ii)(intro. para.), (dd), (b), (d),
and (f), (G)(1) and (2), (H), and (I))