Public Meetings on Coastal Zone Changes Announced
From the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources...
Coastal Zone Boundary Change
Louisiana's Coastal Zone Inland boundary was modified in the 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature with the passage of House Bill 656 (Act 588); those changes become effective upon signature by the Governor which occurred on June 8, 2012. The boundary changes are based on the recommendations of a science-based study conducted for and approved by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, in response to Senate Concurrent Resolution 60 of the 2009 Legislative Session that was submitted to the Legislature for consideration.
The boundary changes affect 10 of the 20 existing coastal parishes. No new parishes were added and no parishes previously in the coastal zone were removed as part of this legislative change. The Louisiana Coastal Zone now includes additional area in eight parishes (Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, St. Mary, St. Martin, Assumption, Terrebonne and Lafourche); the Coastal Zone area was reduced in 2 parishes (Livingston and Tangipahoa); and no changes were made in the Coastal Zone boundaries of the remaining 10 parishes. The boundary changes can be seen online on the department's website at http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=928.
Along with the online and web-based maps and information, DNR Office of Coastal Management is working to schedule meetings in the coastal communities in areas where the boundary changes have occurred. At those meetings, OCM will inform citizens about those changes and related permitting requirements, discuss actions underway to assist them in the coastal use permit application process and answer any questions they may have.
The first two public outreach meetings will be held on June 20 and 21, 2012, in Thibodaux and Houma, respectively.
June 20
5:30pm- Open House
6:30pm- Presentation and Q&A
Mary Danos Theater, 175 Talbot Hall Nicholls State University 106 Ellendale Drive/NSU Thibodaux, LA 70310
(Located at the corner of Ellendale Drive and Acadia Drive next to the Bollinger Student Union on the NSU campus)
June 21
1:3pm- Open House
2:30pm- Presentation and Q&A
Terrebonne Parish Main Library
Main Room, Downstairs
151 Library Drive
Houma, LA 70360
Questions and comments about the Coastal Zone Boundary changes may be directed to [email protected] or 225-342-5007. |