§214.22. Declaration of public policy

The legislature declares that it is the public policy of the state:

(1) To protect, develop, and, where feasible, restore or enhance the resources of the state's coastal zone.

(2)(a) To assure that, to the maximum extent feasible, constitutional and statutory authorities affecting uses of the coastal zone should be included within the Louisiana Coastal Management Program and that guidelines and regulations adopted pursuant thereto shall not be interpreted to allow expansion of governmental authority beyond those laws.

(b) To express certain regulatory and non-regulatory policies for the coastal zone management program. Regulatory policies are to form a basis for administrative decisions to approve or disapprove activities only to the extent that such policies are contained in the statutes of this state or regulations duly adopted and promulgated pursuant thereto. They are to be applicable to each governmental body only to the extent each governmental body has jurisdiction and authority to enforce such policies. Other policies are nonregulatory. They are included in the Coastal Zone Management Plan to help set out priorities in administrative decisions and to inform the public and decision makers of a coherent state framework, but such policies are not binding on private parties.

(3) To support and encourage multiple use of coastal resources consistent with the maintenance and enhancement of renewable resource management and productivity, the need to provide for adequate economic growth and development and the minimization of adverse effects of one resource use upon another, and without imposing any undue restriction on any user.

(4) To employ procedures and practices that resolve conflicts among competing uses within the coastal zone in accordance with the purpose of this Subpart and simplify administrative procedures.

(5) To develop and implement a coastal resources management program which is based on consideration of our resources, the environment, the needs of the people of the state, the nation, and of state and local government.

(6) To enhance opportunities for the use and enjoyment of the recreational values of the coastal zone.

(7) To develop and implement a reasonable and equitable coastal resources management program with sufficient expertise, technical proficiency, and legal authority to enable Louisiana to determine the future course of development and conservation of the coastal zone and to ensure that state and local governments have the primary authority for managing coastal resources.

(8) To support sustainable development in the coastal zone that accounts for potential impacts from hurricanes and other natural disasters and avoids environmental degradation resulting from damage to infrastructure caused by natural disasters.

Acts 1978, No. 361, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1979; Acts 2006, No. 548, §1, eff. June 22, 2006.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1989, 2D EX. SESS., NO. 6, §7.}}