Parishes and municipalities did not practice comprehensive planning as populations and industries grew in response to OCS development even though the authority existed. Planning is not considered to be a priority item in most parishes and municipalities. Low budgets and assignment of many activities not related to planning leave little time for either preparing or updating comprehensive plans. If adverse impacts resulted from OCS onshore development, only the parish and municipal governments can be held accountable because they did not exercise their opportunity to plan, that is, control their own destiny. The hypothesis appears valid for the medium and small communities in the study area.
Planning is reactionary rather than anticipatory.
Emmer, Rod E., Anne Rheams, and F. Wagner. 1992 Offshore Petroleum Development and the Comprehensive Planning Process. 56, Chauvin, LA 70344. Rodney E. Emmer.