Local Coastal Programs

The 1978 Louisiana State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act, La. RS. 49:214.21 et seq, authorized the LDNR's Coastal Management program and the development, at the parish level, of local coastal management programs (LCPs). Once an LCP has received federal and state approval, the parish becomes the permitting authority for coastal uses of local concern defined as "those uses which directly and significantly affect coastal waters and are in need of coastal management but are not uses of state concern and which should be regulated primarily at the local level if the local government has an approved program" (RS. 49:214.25.A.2). To date, ten coastal parishes, Calcasieu, Cameron, Lafourche, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. James, St. Tammany and Terrebonne have approved, active LCPs. Two more are in development, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist.