Office of Coastal Management

TWO PARISHES RECEIVE PERMITTING AUTHORITY

Plaquemines and Terrebonne parishes have recently received approval to begin operating local coastal programs. The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the federal government have granted the parishes the authority to issue permits for local concern projects in their communities as part of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP).

According to DNR Coastal Management Division Program Manager Greg DuCote, Plaquemines and Terrebonne parishes join eight other parishes in the coastal zone that administer regulatory permits and act on other coastal resource matters. He said local government participation in the permitting process also means increased public awareness of coastal use and environmental issues. Parishes with approved local coastal programs may obtain federal funding to defray administrative program costs.

Calcasieu, Cameron, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. James, Orleans and St. Tammany parishes all have approved programs. St. Charles parish is expected to seek approval to become a part of LCRP later this year, DuCote said.

Editors: For more information, please contact DNR Public Information Office at 225/342-8955 or Greg DuCote at 225/342-5052.