Louisiana Wetlands: What you need to know

Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Act (LCWCRA), Louisiana Revised Statutes (LRS) 49:214.1 to 49:214.6

Louisiana State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act of 1978 (SLCRMA), LRS 49:214.21 to 49:214.42

Wetlands management: 33 USC 1344

Coastal use permits: Louisiana Administrative Code ( LAC) 43:I.700 to 43:I.729

Permit applications: LRS 49:214.30

Permit determination: LAC 43:I.723

Coastal use guidelines: LAC 43:I.701 to 43:I.719

Local programs: LAC 43:I.725

Mitigation: LAC 43:I.724

Wetland assimilation: LAC 33:IX. 1109

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coastal Management Division

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Vicksburg District Office New Orleans District Office

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6

See ADDRESSES & CONTACTS for addresses and telephone numbers.

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

• Rules. Wetlands permitting in Louisiana is combined on the federal and state levels. Applications for activities in wetlands should be sent to both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Once the applications are received by the agencies, the DEQ will either certify the application or deny certification. The Corps has the final word on whether a permit will be granted.

The state manages coastal wetlands activities mainly through several key laws and regulations, including the:

• Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Act (LRS 49:214.1 to 49:214.6)
• Louisiana State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act of 1978 (LRS 49:214.21 to 49:214.42)
• Louisiana Coastal Use Guidelines (