La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2048 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2048
Liberal construction
Status: in_force

This Part, being intended to carry out a function of the state to protect the health and welfare of the inhabitants of the portion of the state to be affected hereby, shall be liberally construed by the courts to effect its purposes.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 69, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 13
Director to prescribe definite plan or organization for department
Status: in_force

The director shall cause to be designated, and shall prescribe, a definite plan or organization and procedure of the department with a view to the most effective conduct of the work of the department. The plan shall include such elements as unified and systematic procedure, definite allocation of functions to the divisions and other component parts of the department, proper housing and layout of quarters to facilitate the carrying out and supervision of the work in process, effective routing and flow of work and coordination of staff efforts in carrying out the procedures prescribed. The director shall cause standard practice instructions to be prepared for the guidance of all concerned in the operation of the prescribed plan and the system of procedures based on it and for putting the prescribed procedures into effect and fitting them to the plan of organization established in accordance with law.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.51 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.51
Creation
Status: in_force

There is hereby created a recreation and water conservation district to be known as the "Mill Creek Recreation and Water Conservation District".

Acts 1995, No. 443, §2, eff. June 17, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:477 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 477
Extension and collection of taxes when board fails to levy
Status: in_force

In case of failure of the board of commissioners of the district to levy the taxes and local contributions as provided for in R.S. 38:475 and 38:476 or in case for any other cause the taxes and local contributions are not so levied, the state auditor or whatever officer may at the time be charged with the functions of the state auditor shall order the proper officers to extend the taxes upon the assessment rolls of the parish or parishes in which any part of the district is located and to order the proper officer of the parish, parishes, and parts of parishes, to collect the taxes and local contributions to an amount sufficient to meet the purposes provided for by R.S. 38:475 and 38:476; and the officers shall assess and collect the taxes and local contributions as so ordered. To that end, the taxes and local contributions are now, once and for all, hereby levied and ordered to be collected to an amount sufficient to provide for the payment of the interest and principal of the bonds. The present levy of the taxes and local contributions shall be operative only in case the taxes and local contributions are not otherwise levied, either because of failure on the part of the board of commissioners to perform the duty imposed upon it by R.S. 38:475 and 38:476 or for any other cause. Nothing in this Subpart shall be construed to require the board of commissioners of the district to set aside funds or levy taxes for the payment of the principal and interest of bonds authorized to be issued under provisions of this Subpart, except insofar as it shall be necessary to provide for the payment of the principal and interest actually maturing and becoming due each year.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1573 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1573
Effect of transfer
Status: in_force

The effect of any transfer, when completed and accepted from a drainage district to a municipality, of the canals, works and other property of the drainage district, shall be to vest in the municipality, full and complete control, for any and all public uses of all canals, works, and other property thus transferred, the title thereof to remain in the public. The governing authorities of the municipality shall have full and complete control thereof for the public and may, thereafter, use the canals, works and property for drainage purposes, navigation purposes, or for both, or for any other use which the needs of the public may dictate.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2908 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2908
Rules and regulations
Status: in_force

In order to accomplish the purposes of the district, to protect the works, improvements and property of the district, both real and personal; to secure the best results from the construction, operation and maintenance thereof, and to prevent damage to the district by misuse of any works, improvements or properties or by the pollution or misuse of the waters of the district or any water course therein, the board of commissioners may make and enforce such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary and advisable:

(1) To protect and preserve the works, improvements and properties owned or controlled by the district, prescribe the manner of their use by public corporations and persons, and preserve order within and adjacent thereto;

(2) To prescribe the manner of building bridges, roads, or fences, or other works in, along or across any channel, reservoir or other construction of the district;

(3) To prescribe the manner in which ditches, sewers, pipelines or other works shall be adjusted to or connected with the works of the district or any water course therein and the manner in which the water courses of the district may be used for sewer outlets or for disposal of waste;

(4) To prescribe the permissible uses of the water supply, provided by the impoundments constructed, and to prevent the pollution or unnecessary waste of such water supply;

(5) To prohibit or regulate the discharge into sewers of the district of any liquid or solid waste deemed detrimental to the works and improvements of the district;

(6), (7) REPEALED BY ACTS 1993, NO. 830, §2.

Added by Acts 1968, No. 589, §1; Acts 1993, No. 830, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:20 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 20
Red River Compact Commission membership
Status: in_force

A. There shall be two members appointed to represent the state of Louisiana on the Red River Compact Commission as required by Act No. 71 of the 1978 Regular Session of the Legislature. One member shall be the chief engineer of the office of engineering of the Department of Transportation and Development or his designee and one member shall be appointed by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation.

B. The member of the Red River Compact Commission appointed by the governor to represent the state as provided by Article IX of the Red River Compact contained in Act No. 71 of the 1978 Regular Session of the Legislature shall be entitled to receive a per diem allowance of fifty dollars for each day of a meeting of the administration or any of its committees actually attended by such member, to be paid out of funds available for the purpose by the office of engineering of the Department of Transportation and Development, on his own warrant. In addition, such member of the administration shall be entitled to be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in attending meetings of the administration or its committees, or in the transaction of any business of the administration, to be paid out of funds available for that purpose by the office of engineering of the Department of Transportation and Development.

Acts 1987, No. 706, §1; Acts 2012, No. 753, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:215.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 215.1
Public drainage; refusal of access for maintenance purposes; court costs and attorney fees; definitions
Status: in_force

A. No landowner shall refuse to grant reasonable surface access to any existing natural or artificial public drainage by a local governing authority, drainage district, or other public entity charged with maintaining the public drainage when such access is within the normal course of the entity's duties and written notice has been given to the landowner at least thirty days prior to the commencement of any maintenance activities on the property. The landowner shall also be given an opportunity for a public hearing, held before the municipal drainage authority, parish drainage district, or public works district for the city where the landowner's property is located, subject to the judicial review rights under the Administrative Procedure Act.

B. In any action in a court of competent jurisdiction where the court is required to determine the right of access to the public drainage pursuant to this Section, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of court costs and attorney fees incurred by the prevailing party.

C. For purposes of this Section, "public drainage" means any existing natural or artificial drainage ditch, drain, culvert, canal, creek, bayou, or small river.

D. For purposes of this Section, "reasonable surface access" means the utilization of existing ingress and egress points on a landowner's property so as not to disrupt the activities of the landowner or cause damage to the property.

Acts 2014, No. 241, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.138 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.138
Reports regarding groundwater resources
Status: in_force

The commission shall report, on or before April first annually, the district's groundwater resources to the secretary, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment. The report shall include but not be limited to the amount of water used for public supply, industrial, or agricultural purposes, respectively; actual and projected saltwater intrusion or encroachment; and any current or projected sale of water for use outside of the state, including the amount of water so sold and the price paid by each out-of-state user. For the purposes of this report, the amount of water used for agricultural or industrial purposes may be estimated.

Acts 2018, No. 316, §1; Acts 2025, No. 458, §5, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:431 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 431
Authority to issue bonds; interest rate, etc.
Status: in_force

The boards of commissioners of the levee districts and levee and drainage districts of the state may issue bonds not to exceed the total amount of bonds which they have been heretofore authorized by law to issue in the sums and denominations which every board may in its own case prescribe but of not less than one hundred dollars each. The bonds shall be drawn payable to bearer and signed by the president of the board, and attested by the signature of the secretary and the seal of the board. The bonds shall become due in fifty years, and be payable at the option of the board in forty years from the date of their issue, and bear interest as provided in R.S. 39:1421 et seq. from date of their issue. The interest shall be evidenced by coupons attached to the bonds payable semiannually at the fiscal agency in New Orleans or the office of the state treasurer.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.

{{NOTE: REGARDING R.S. 38:431-436, SEE ALSO R.S. 38:1117(A)(3) AS PER ACTS 1985, NO. 466, §2, WHICH MAY BE CONFLICTING.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:215 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 215
Obstruction of drainage prohibited
Status: in_force

No person shall wilfully obstruct any natural or artificial drainage canal, creek, bayou, or small river, or any public or private drainage.

Whoever violates this Section shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars and in default of payment of fine and costs shall be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than six months.

Each obstruction shall constitute a separate offense.

Failure on the part of anyone who has felled or cut trees in such manner that the tops obstruct any drainage or has placed any other obstruction in any drainage to remove the obstruction shall constitute prima facie evidence of wilful intent within the meaning of this Section.

The word drainage as used in this Section means any natural drain or any artificial drain which has been used for the purposes of drainage for at least ten years.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.121 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.121
Supervision by Department of Transportation and Development
Status: in_force

All of the powers and duties relative to construction and letting of contracts for construction required to be advertised by R.S. 38:2211 and 2212 conferred upon the district shall be subject to and exercised under the supervisory control of the Department of Transportation and Development of the state of Louisiana, which department shall furnish to the district such engineering services as it shall require and may cooperate with the district in the construction of any work or facility considered necessary by the district and said department to the purposes of the district.

Acts 1999, No. 588, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1804 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1804
Existing gravity drainage districts; powers; bonds; taxes
Status: in_force

A. In addition to the powers and authority heretofore provided by law and notwithstanding provisions of any other law to the contrary, any gravity drainage district existing on the effective date of this Section and with the boundaries as they exist on the effective date of this Section is hereby vested with full power and authority, acting through its governing authority, to:

(1) Drain lands in said district by the construction, maintenance, and operation of gravity and/or forced drainage facilities, including drains, drainage canals, ditches, pumps, and pumping plants, dikes, levees, and other related works.

(2) Incur debt and issue general obligation bonds of the district for the purpose of constructing said gravity and/or forced drainage facilities and acquiring the necessary lands, equipment and machinery therefor. The bonds shall be secured by and payable from ad valorem taxation and may be issued to an amount not exceeding the debt limit established for the issuance of general obligation bonds by R.S. 39:562 and in the manner provided for the issuance of bonds by other political subdivisions under the provisions of Subpart A, Part III, Chapter 4, Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto. Such bonds shall be issued only after being approved at an election ordered by its governing authority and held in accordance with the provisions of Part II, Chapter 4, Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

(3) Levy special taxes on all the property within such district for the purpose of maintaining, operating, constructing, and improving the drainage works in such district in the manner authorized by Article VI, Section 32 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, after having been authorized to do so at a special election held in accordance with the provisions of Part II, Chapter 4, Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

(4) Expropriate property for the purpose of acquiring sites for pumping stations and land for any other necessary public purposes of the district; provided, however, the district shall not have the right to expropriate minerals or mineral rights.

(5) Acquire machinery and maintain pumping plants or any machinery whatever that may be found necessary for the purpose of draining any of the lands embraced within the district.

(6) Cut and open any drains and canals and open, deepen and enlarge natural drains within or without the district and perform all work in connection therewith which may be deemed necessary to provide drainage for the lands in the district, and perform all other acts necessary to drain the land in the district and maintain the drainage when established.

(7) To cooperate with and enter into cooperative agreements and arrangements with agencies of the United States of America, the state of Louisiana and its various departments and political subdivisions, on a matching fund or any other basis in any drainage projects. Purchase servitudes and rights-of-way for their own uses or for the use of any state or federal agency with which they may cooperate in connection with some work of improvement.

(8) Accept gifts and grants of money, property or services.

(9) Extend canals or ditches or both canals and ditches beyond the limits of the district for the purpose of securing a proper outlet for the waters of the district.

B. The authority herein granted may be exercised and the works of improvement herein authorized may be constructed within or without the limits of the district so long as they inure to the direct benefit of the district and the inhabitants thereof.

C. The powers, rights, and authority granted by this Section shall be in addition to any powers now or hereafter conferred on the district by the provisions of this Part and shall not be limited or restricted by any other provisions of law.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 741, §1, eff. July 21, 1977.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.233 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.233
Mineral rights
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall become necessary for the district or the Department of Transportation and Development to acquire full ownership of any land for the purpose of constructing any work or facility within the district, the owner thereof on his own behalf or on behalf of his assigns in the event of a prior assignment may retain the mineral rights to such property together with the right to grant mineral leases and servitudes thereon. No form of prescription shall divest such owner or his assigns of these rights so long as the district or a department or agency of the state retains the ownership of the property, but should ownership pass into private hands, the prescription of nonuse provided by R.S. 31:27 shall apply as in the usual case.

Acts 2003, No. 328, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3098.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3098.6
Advisory committee
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Conservation and Energy is hereby authorized to appoint a committee to serve in an advisory capacity and to make recommendations for the regulation and control of water well drillers as defined in this Chapter. This advisory committee shall consist of the following members:

(1) Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 458, §11, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.

(2) The secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy or his designee.

(3) The president of the Louisiana Engineering Society or his designee.

(4) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.

(5) One representative of the United States Geological Survey.

(6) One domestic well driller selected by the governor from a list of three submitted by the Louisiana Ground Water Association.

(7) One municipal and industrial driller selected by the governor from a list of three submitted by the Louisiana Ground Water Association.

(8) One irrigation driller selected by the governor from a list of three submitted by the Louisiana Ground Water Association.

(9) Two drillers at large selected by the commissioner of conservation from the industry as a whole.

B. The first appointment of the domestic well driller and one at large driller shall be for one year; the first appointment of the irrigation well driller and one at large driller shall be for two years; the first appointment of the municipal and industrial driller shall be for three years; thereafter, all appointments shall be for four year terms.

C. The chairman and vice chairman shall be selected by the members of the committee.

D. The members who are public employees shall receive no pay or allowances for their attendance at meetings of the advisory committee. All other members of the advisory committee shall receive no salary or per diem but may be compensated for expenses actually incurred in official activities approved by the office out of funds derived from license fees collected under the provisions of this Chapter. Such compensation shall be based upon proof to the satisfaction of the office in accordance with policies adopted by the legislative auditor in such matters.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 715, §1; Acts 2009, No. 437, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2023, No. 150, §12, eff. Jan. 10, 2024; Acts 2025, No. 458, §11, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.226 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.226
Election of officers
Status: in_force

Immediately after the members of the board of commissioners have been appointed, or as soon thereafter as is practicable, they shall meet and organize by electing from their number a president, vice president, and secretary who shall perform the duties normally required of such officers.

Acts 2003, No. 328, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:34 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 34
Project evaluation and ranking
Status: in_force

A. Upon receipt of reports by the regional planning commissions as required by R.S. 38:33, the office of engineering shall evaluate them on a regional basis and shall rank them in order of priority for funding, according to its rules and regulations and consistent with water resource plans and program priorities as developed in the office of environmental affairs, where applicable.

B. The report by the office of engineering shall be submitted to the governor, the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget by January fifteenth of each calendar year. The report shall include narrative providing the following information for each proposal contained in the report:

(1) A statement of project needs and benefits.

(2) Rationale for priority ranking.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 625, §1; Acts 2012, No. 753, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:25 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 25
Exemptions for other programs; additional requirements
Status: in_force

A. Where the impoundment of liquid substances or hazardous wastes and materials by dikes, dams, or barriers is permitted or regulated under the Department of Conservation and Energy, that office shall adopt rules and regulations for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the facilities in accordance with the requirements, rules, and regulations promulgated under this Chapter, and the impoundments are exempted from the provisions of this Chapter.

B. The requirements of this Chapter and rules and regulations adopted hereunder shall be in addition to the requirements for permits and leases of state waterbottoms contained in R.S. 41:1701 et seq.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 733, §1, eff. July 23, 1981; Acts 2023, No. 150, §12, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:438 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 438
Annual tax to create sinking fund for principal of bonds
Status: in_force

For the purpose of providing a sinking fund to meet the payment of the principal of the bonds issued under this Subpart, the levee board or levee and drainage board, beginning ten years before the maturity of the bonds, shall levy annually to an amount sufficient for that purpose, the taxes and local contributions which it is authorized and empowered to levy and which they may be hereafter authorized to levy. From the first money realized from the taxes and local contributions, the state treasurer, after providing for the payment of the interest of the bonds, shall set apart annually, beginning ten years before the maturity of the bonds, an amount sufficient to pay ten percent of the bonds outstanding. The money thus set apart shall not be diverted to any other purpose, except the purchase of outstanding bonds.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3078 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3078
Limiting rate of production; notice
Status: in_force

Any order limiting rates of production of groundwater, except emergency orders issued as hereinafter provided, shall be issued only after sixty days notice and a public hearing. The district shall give notice by registered mail to all users of groundwater reasonably known to it within the district within which pumping is to be limited. In addition, the district may give notice to such other individual landowners and well owners as it deems appropriate. However, the district shall also give notice by publication as hereinafter provided of the hearing on the prospective order.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 678, §1; Acts 2025, No. 458, §5, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2223 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2223
Issuance of work orders and commencement of work; underground utilities
Status: in_force

A.(1) In the preparations of plans and specifications on any public work project, any public entity or its agent shall contact the regional notification center as provided in R.S. 40:1749.11 through 1749.25 and contact the owners of underground utilities or facilities that are not members of the regional notification center for the existence and location of all underground utilities or facilities within the construction area. The public entity, through its official representatives, shall give notice of such plans to the utility or facility operator in the area where construction work is being performed in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 40:1749.11 through 1749.25. Public entities owning their own utilities or facilities that have complied with R.S. 40:1749.19(A) shall be excluded from the provisions hereof. The notice shall require the underground utility or facility operator to furnish to the public entity within a period of thirty days after receipt of notice, unless such time is extended by the public entity or by agreement between the public entity and the underground utility or facility operator, a diagram or plat showing the locations of the utilities or facilities or, at the option of the utility or facility operator, shall mark the locations of these utilities or facilities within the right-of-way, a copy of which shall be furnished by the public entity to prospective bidders in the plans and specifications. In the event the utility or facility operator marks the location of the underground utility or facility and the public entity creates a diagram or plat incorporating those markings, the public entity shall provide such diagram or plat of the underground utility or facility to the operator so that the location of the underground utility or facility on the diagram or plat can be verified by the operator as being in the correct location.

(2) Should the diagram or plat not be furnished or the location of the underground cables, pipes, or other underground installations be inaccurately shown thereon, the public entity and the contractor shall be released from any responsibility in connection with their damage unless such damage is caused by the negligence of the public entity or contractor.

(3) Any anticipated temporary or permanent relocation of underground utilities or facilities deemed necessary shall be arranged by the public entity with the owners of the underground utility facilities prior to the start of construction. If a temporary or permanent relocation of utility facilities is necessary, the owner of the underground utility or facility shall be given a reasonable time to move such utility facilities unless the contractor to whom the contract for a public improvement is awarded agrees with the owner of the underground utility or facility to coordinate relocation with construction operations. The public entity, within ten calendar days after the award of the contract for a public work, shall notify in writing all owners of underground utilities or facilities known to be located in the construction area of the public improvement of the name and address of the contractor to whom the contract for public work was awarded.

B. This Section shall not relieve any public entity or contractor from the responsibility to give notice of intent to excavate or demolish to the regional notification center or centers serving the area in which the proposed work is to take place in order to be in compliance with the provisions of the "Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law" as provided for in R.S. 40:1749.11 through 1749.25.

Acts 1977, No. 103, §1; Acts 1995, No. 501, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 134, §1, eff. April 19, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 1005, §1, eff. June 27, 2001.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3085.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3085.6
Bonds; contest of legality
Status: in_force

For a period of thirty days after the date of publication of the resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, any persons in interest shall have the right to contest the legality of the resolution and the legality of the bond issue for any cause. After this time no one shall have any cause or right of action to contest the legality of the resolution or of the bonds authorized thereby for any cause whatsoever. If no suit, action, or proceeding is begun contesting the validity of the bond issue within this thirty day period, the authority to issue the bonds and to provide for their security and payment in the matter provided in the resolution, the legality thereof and of all of the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed, and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 28, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1595 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1595
Participation in payment of costs
Status: in_force

Any drainage district proceeding under the authority of this Part may participate in the payment of the total cost of any project authorized hereunder in such a manner and to such extent that the governing authority of the district may determine, provided that any funds so used by the district shall be in such amounts as it may have available for such purpose and from sources other than the imposition of special assessments. Such participation by the district may be allocated to any one or more projects as the governing authority of the district may determine, and the amount of the district's participation shall be deducted from the total cost of the improvements for the purpose of levying local or special assessments hereunder.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 708, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1751 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1751
Creation of district by parish; designation
Status: in_force

A. The various parishes of the state, the parish of Orleans excepted, may create on their own initiative, from lands which drain by gravity, gravity drainage districts. These districts shall be known as "Gravity Drainage Districts" with the number which the police jury may designate.

B. As used in this Chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "police jury" means the governing authority of the various parishes.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2102 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2102
Creation of district upon petition of landowners; lands in more than one parish
Status: in_force

Police juries shall create and form irrigation districts when a petition to do so is filed by the property owners owning a majority of the acres of land within the limits of a proposed irrigation district, outside of the corporate limits of incorporated towns and cities. The petition shall describe the area to be included in the irrigation district, shall designate the name and domicile of the district and the names of the first commissioners thereof, and shall be signed by the petitioners. The petition shall be accompanied by a map showing the area to be included within the proposed irrigation district and the boundaries thereof, by a certificate of the clerk of court and exofficio recorder of the parish or parishes in which the land is situated certifying to the ownership of the land to be included in the irrigation district, outside the corporate limits of incorporated towns and cities, together with the acreage of each owner, as appears from the records of his office. If the ownership of any land is unknown, this fact shall also be made to appear by the certificate. Clerks of court and recorders of the parishes of the state shall furnish the certificate.

In creating an irrigation district composed of lands situated in more than one parish, the petition to create the district must be signed by the property owners owning a majority of the acres of land in each parish within the proposed district, outside of the corporate limits of incorporated towns and cities. The petition shall be presented to the police jury of the parish having the largest number of acres of land in the proposed irrigation district, outside of the corporate limits of incorporated towns and cities, and the irrigation district shall then be created by ordinance of the police jury.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:90.12 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 90.12
Certification of recipient authority; federal matching projects; exceptions; reimbursement for project construction
Status: in_force

A. To receive and distribute any amounts appropriated to implement the provisions of this Chapter, the recipient authority shall certify to the state, with respect to projects within its jurisdiction, that said recipient authority shall provide, out of local revenues, funds for such projects in an amount which is at least ten percent of the amount necessary to construct the project. However, the cost of modifications to drainage structures located within state highway rights-of-way shall be exempt from the requirement for local matching funds. A sponsoring authority shall not utilize state funds, other than revenue sharing dollars, from any source in accomplishing its local match.

B. The recipient authority shall submit its share of project construction funds prior to the awarding of a contract in all instances in which the office of engineering is performing the contract operation and administration.

C.(1) A sponsoring authority may make application under the provisions of this Chapter to receive a portion of the funds required to participate in a federal matching program. The state's participation shall not exceed seventy percent of the funding from sources other than the federal government. The state's participation shall be in accordance with the guidelines and procedures adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, except the provisions of R.S. 38:90.9(1) and (3). The provisions of this Paragraph shall apply to all federal matching projects funded through the Statewide Flood-Control Program.

(2) A sponsoring authority may make application under the provisions of this Chapter to utilize its own funds for project construction and to be reimbursed by the Statewide Flood-Control Program provided that:

(a) All program criteria are met in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, and the project is listed in the recommended construction program;

(b) All program criteria are met in accordance with the program's "Guidelines and Procedures" and the "Procedural Manual for Funded Projects";

(c) Funding should become available in accordance with the funding distribution formula and the prioritization methodology of the program which allows for funding for a period of four years; and

(d) Funding should become available within four years of acceptance of the work.

D, E. Repealed by Acts 1999, No. 999, §2, eff. July 9, 1999.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 351, §1. Amended by Acts 1983, No. 224, §1; Acts 1984, No. 519, §1; Acts 1985, No. 388, §1; Acts 1985, No. 963, §1; Acts 1990, No. 255, §1; Acts 1990, No. 929, §1; Acts 1992, No. 422, §1; Acts 1993, No. 98, §1, eff. May 26, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 607, §1, eff. June 18, 1995; Acts 1999, No. 999, §§1, 2, eff. July 9, 1999; Acts 2006, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 6, §4; Acts 2012, No. 753, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1674.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1674.4
Opening of bids; award of contract
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners shall meet in open session on the date and at the place and hour named in the notice calling for bids, and shall proceed to open the bids and award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder who can furnish satisfactory security, in conformity with the said provisions of R.S. 38:2211 through R.S. 38:2217, but the board may, however, reject any and all bids.

Added by Acts 1962, No. 144, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3108 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3108
Eminent domain
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as creating, in any condemnation proceedings brought under the power of eminent domain, any element of value or of damage not in existence on the date of enactment of this Chapter. Any payments herein authorized are gratuities and are vested in the discretion of the agency head.

Added by Acts 1971, No. 116, §1, emerg. eff. June 14, 1971.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1901 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1901
Acreage tax or forced contribution for maintenance, improvements, and repairs
Status: in_force

The governing authority of any gravity drainage district or gravity sub-drainage district when authorized so to do by a vote of a majority in number and amount of the property tax payers qualified to vote under the Constitution and laws of this state in the gravity drainage district or gravity sub-drainage district, may levy and collect an acreage tax or forced contribution not to exceed thirty-five cents per acre per year on the land in the gravity drainage district or gravity sub-drainage district for a period not to exceed ten years. The acreage tax or forced contribution shall not be funded into bonds but shall be annually collected and used for the purpose of maintaining, improving, and keeping in repair the system of gravity drainage constructed in the gravity drainage district or gravity sub-drainage district, all within the limits prescribed in the provisions of Section 14 of Article XIV of the Constitution.