Water-Wise in BR

WHO REGULATES EAST BATON ROUGE'S GROUNDWATER RESOURCES?

The Louisiana Constitution of 1974 (Article 9, Section 1) mandates that, "The natural resources of the state, including air and water, and the healthful, scenic, historic, and esthetic quality of the environment shall be protected, conserved, and replenished insofar as possible and consistent with the health, safety, and welfare of the people."

 To meet this goal, the Commissioner of Conservation, heading the Louisiana Office of Conservation in the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, has been vested by the Legislature with the authority to ensure the sustainability of the state's groundwater resources. 

 Locally, the Commissioner works in conjunction with the Capital Area Ground Water Conservation Commission (CAGWCC), specifically created by the Legislature in 1974 to manage Baton Rouge's aquifers. The CAGWCC's district includes the parishes of East and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, and Pointe Coupee. Representatives of public supply, industry, consumers, and state and local governments hold seats on the Commission and are appointed by the Governor.

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