Louisiana § RS 38:2356 - Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority

§ RS 38:2356. Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority

            A. The Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority is hereby created within the office of public works. The authority shall:

            (1) Have the right to acquire, own, administer, alienate, and otherwise dispose of all kinds of property, movable and immovable, corporeal and incorporeal; contract, adopt, alter, or destroy an official seal. Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Chapter, the authority may perform every act necessary, convenient, or incidental to the exercise of its power and authority, the discharge of its duties, or the performance of its functions.

            (2) Serve as the implementation arm of the Statewide Flood Control Program in R.S. 38:90.1 et seq., and for other functions of the department outside of the coastal area. The authority shall be directed by the policy set by the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board.

            (3) Through its offices and officers, be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the authority's master plan and annual plan. The authority shall implement the integration of storm damage reduction, restoration, flood control, infrastructure, and navigation in noncoastal areas in accordance with the master plans and annual plans, as well as perform other functions as directed by the board.

            B. Executive director.

            (1) There shall be an executive director of the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority. He shall report to the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board for all matters within the jurisdiction and purview of the board, and shall work in coordination and collaboration with the chief resilience officer.

            (2) The governor may appoint an executive director of the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority. In the event an executive director is not appointed, the director of public works may serve as the executive director of the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority.

            (3) The executive director or his designee shall have authority, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the civil service commission to employ, appoint, transfer, assign, terminate, and promote such personnel as is necessary for the efficient administration of the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority.

            (4) The executive director, or his designee, shall approve all plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction of all projects for which the authority is responsible. He also shall have such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board, by the provisions of this Chapter, or by the laws of this state. He shall report the proceedings of his office annually to the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board and at such other times as the board may designate, and he shall make any additional reports as are required by the board.

            (5) The executive director, or in his discretion a subordinate or subordinates, shall administer the programs, projects, and activities approved for funding by the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board relating to and affecting an integrated upland system, including conservation, restoration, creation, and enhancement of upland areas, storm damage reduction, flood control, infrastructure, economic development, and navigation in Louisiana's uplands area as provided by law and as provided in the master and annual plans, and other special programs as may be directed by the board.

            (6) The executive director shall report annually to the legislature as to the progress of the projects and programs enumerated in the master plan or annual plans or any component thereof. For each project or program, estimated construction and maintenance costs, progress reports, and estimated completion timetables shall be provided.

            (7) The executive director is granted full power and authority to delegate, assign, or appoint in his discretion any subordinate to perform any function or duties required by law to be performed by the authority, except as specifically provided in this Title. This grant of power and authority shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes of this Chapter.

            (8) The executive director shall provide the necessary reports, staff, assistance, and support to the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board in order to assist in the development of the master plan and annual plan.

            (9) The executive director may appoint ex officio notaries in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 35:411.

            C. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to diminish or impair the constitutional, statutory, or contractual authority of any levee district, drainage district, navigation district, or port commission operating within the upland area. The authority shall coordinate with such entities to the greatest extent practicable.

            Acts 2025, No. 418, §1.