SLS 18RS-856 ORIGINAL
2018 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 80
BY SENATOR CHABERT
COASTAL PARISHES. Requests the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to
conduct a science-based study of the adequacy of the current inland boundary of the coastal
zone of Louisiana.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to conduct a science-
3 based study of the adequacy of the current inland boundary of the coastal zone of
4 Louisiana to meet the state's current and future needs to manage, protect, and restore
5 its coastal resources.
6 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has had a federally approved Coastal Zone
7 Management Program since October 1980, which has been instrumental in improving
8 stewardship and protecting the state's coastal wetlands and resources in addition to
9 increasing public awareness of the importance of coastal wetlands to the economy of the
10 state and to the well-being of coastal residents; and
11 WHEREAS, the coastal zone of Louisiana supports numerous natural and economic
12 resources critical to the national economy, including energy and maritime infrastructure and
13 resources, and commercial and recreational fisheries; and
14 WHEREAS, the coastal zone is home to a high percentage of the state's population
15 and generates over fifty percent of the state's annual revenues; and
16 WHEREAS, the inland boundary of the coastal zone of Louisiana is defined in R.S.
17 49:214.24; and
18 WHEREAS, since the establishment of the inland boundary of the coastal zone
Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 80
SLS 18RS-856 ORIGINAL
1 nearly forty years ago, there have been significant events and changes, including degradation
2 and deterioration of the state's coast, devastating impacts from numerous hurricanes, the
3 adoption of Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, increasing
4 awareness, and availability of data concerning climatic changes and sea-level rise, improved
5 understanding of storm patterns, establishment of other coastal programs and boundaries,
6 such as the Louisiana coastal area and the conservation boundary, and an unprecedented
7 level of funding being applied to integrated coastal protection and restoration projects; and
8 WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the Legislature of Louisiana to reevaluate the
9 adequacy of the state's inland boundary of the coastal zone and consider a possible revision
10 of that boundary to better serve the current and future needs of our state; and
11 WHEREAS, coastal zone management is necessary and important to protect the
12 coastal wetlands and resources within the coastal zone, and the cost of protecting such
13 coastal wetlands and resources through coastal zone management is significantly less than
14 the cost to conserve, restore, or enhance such coastal wetlands and resources once they are
15 devastated or lost; and
16 WHEREAS, a study of this nature has not been conducted since last requested by the
17 legislature in 2009.
18 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
19 urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to conduct a science-based
20 study of the adequacy of the inland boundary of the coastal zone of Louisiana.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study should provide information and
22 recommendations as to the current inland boundary's adequacy to meet the coastal zone
23 management needs of the state and its residents through upcoming decades.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study should:
25 (1) Be science-based and rely on the latest available data and technology.
26 (2) Consider the existing legal framework at the state and national level and the
27 presence of other legally established lines of demarcation for other programs in Louisiana
28 related to coastal issues.
29 (3) Consider physical, biological, and chemical and other scientific information such
30 as salinity, tidal influence, storm surge, presence and type of wetlands, elevation of land,
Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 80
SLS 18RS-856 ORIGINAL
1 habitat value to fish and wildlife resources, subsidence and sea-level rise, potential for
2 flooding, and any other relevant data.
3 (4) Take into account the value and importance of economic activity, including
4 energy infrastructure, maritime transport, commercial and recreational fishing and hunting,
5 agricultural and forestry interests, eco-tourism, and any other economic development
6 activities important to the state.
7 (5) Acknowledge and consider the value of archeological and cultural resources to
8 coastal Louisiana.
9 (6) Include recommendations to the legislature, including maps, of any suggested
10 changes to laws, rules, and policies concerning the inland boundary of the coastal zone of
11 Louisiana.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
13 shall submit the study to the Legislature of Louisiana on or before March 1, 2019.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
15 governor's executive assistant for coastal activities.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SCR 80 Original 2018 Regular Session Chabert
Requests the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to conduct a science-based study
of the adequacy of the inland boundary of the coastal zone of Louisiana.
Requires that the study be submitted to the legislature on or before March 1, 2019.
Page 3 of 3