Special Public Notice

The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources has determined that damage done to the infrastructure in that part of the Louisiana Coastal Zone impacted by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath has resulted in an emergency situation and that damage is covered by the emergency use provisions of the Rules and Procedure For Coastal Use Permits. Further, the Secretary has determined that due to fact that Hurricane Katrina has caused an impact of statewide significance, all emergency uses under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program which are necessitated for response to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath shall be considered to be uses of state concern

Because of the overwhelming destruction associated with Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Management Division is temporarily modifying its usual emergency authorization procedures for storm related repair/restoration projects located east of and including Terrebonne Parish. This modification applies ONLY to those activities needed to restore infrastructure. The Department requests that emergency users be as environmentally sensitive as possible in conducting repair operations.

The Secretary is also authorizing those activities necessary to prevent additional damages. In the event that new construction is needed, an after-the-fact permit application might be required.

In the event that emergency repairs are needed, emergency users are authorized to commence the necessary work at the earliest opportunity. The Coastal Management Division reminds emergency users to provide the Department with notification via letter, email, or fax as soon as possible for documentation purposes. The notification should include the name of the entity undertaking the repairs, a description of the work performed and a vicinity map showing the location of the emergency.

Notifications should be directed to:

Vickie Amedee
Coastal Management Division
P. O. Box 44487
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-4487

vickiea@dnr.state.la.us

Fax: 225/342-9439
Phone: 225/342-3781