ENROLLED
2016 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 32
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Environmental Quality to place a moratorium on the
issuance of landfill permits in the community of Alsen, Louisiana, until a thorough
economic and environmental impact study has been conducted in consultation with
residents and local officials.
WHEREAS, the Department of Environmental Quality is constitutionally and
statutorily charged with the protection of the environment of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, local governments are chiefly responsible for parish land use
determinations and zoning ordinances in order to effectively maximize its resources and
navigate its future development both in economic terms and management of the quality of
life of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, currently under Part VII of Title 33 of the Louisiana Administrative
Code, the Department of Environmental Quality, within its industrial waste disposal
permitting process, is unable to consider changes in local land use restrictions and zoning
ordinances by local governments and their economic development requirements after an
application has been submitted to the department; and
WHEREAS, the residents of Alsen, Louisiana, are concerned about the economic and
environmental impacts that any new permits for landfill expansion might impose on their
community; and
WHEREAS, it is important that the Department of Environmental Quality has the
authority to consider permittee compliance with local zoning and land use restrictions prior
to issuance of an order to commence operations of a waste disposal facility.
Page 1 of 2 HR NO. 32 ENROLLED
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Department of Environmental
Quality to impose a moratorium on the issuance of any new landfill permits in the
community of Alsen, Louisiana, until a thorough economic and environmental impact study
has been conducted in consultation with residents and local officials.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 2 of 2