2001-0095
INTRODUCED BY: DEE ABADIE, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT III
BARRY MINNICH, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VII
RESOLUTION NO.
Title
A resolution to request the support of the Congressional Delegation by requesting that the Federal Law regarding wetland mitigation be revised to allow local Governments to maintain and improve drainage infrastructures.
Body
WHEREAS, the Police Jury Association's Resolutions Committee adopted a resolution requesting that the Federal Law regarding wetland mitigation be revised at the recent Police Jury Association Convention held in Lafayette, Louisiana; and,
WHEREAS, Parish Governments in Louisiana are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the natural drains and watersheds within their geographical, territorial jurisdictions; and,
WHEREAS, it is extremely important to the citizens of Louisiana that Parish Governments respond to these drainage needs because of the serious flooding potential which would develop if the drainage works in a locality were not cleaned and maintained; and,
WHEREAS, over the last several years, many Parishes have been hindered and in some instances even prevented from carrying out routine drainage projects, including simple cleaning projects because of a growing body of rules and regulations being imposed by the United States Government and particularly by the U. S. Corps of Engineers; and,
WHEREAS, in the past, a Police Jury has been required to use local taxpayer dollars to mitigate for wetland habitat destruction as a result of the maintenance activity, causing work delays and costing thousands of dollars in public funds; and,
WHEREAS, drainage maintenance and improvements are performed in the interest of protecting the public welfare and are done at the expense of the public, and using their tax dollars; and,
WHEREAS, even in those instances where Parish Governments are able to engage in drainage activities, the rules and regulations imposed by the Corps of Engineers and othe...
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