Louisiana § RS 56:1431 - Bayou Liberty; clearing; expropriation prohibited

§ RS 56:1431. Bayou Liberty; clearing; expropriation prohibited

            A. Bayou Liberty, from its intersection with U.S. Highway 190 south to its intersection with Louisiana Highway 433 in St. Tammany Parish, may need periodic clearing of debris to ensure the free flow of water through the waterway in order to maintain its scenic and historic beauty and to assist in flood control efforts. Such clearing efforts shall take place only in that portion of the bayou from the center of the waterway to the low watermark on the banks without channelization, and without affecting any marsh or any live cypress or other trees below the low watermark. In addition, all clearing that may be necessary to maintain an open channel shall be performed only through the use of water-based equipment except in that portion of the bayou lying directly under or within one hundred feet of a point directly under the Tammany Trace foot bridge over Bayou Liberty, which portion of the channel may be cleared by other means.

            B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no property abutting that portion of Bayou Liberty from U.S. Highway 190 south to Louisiana Highway 433 shall be expropriated by the state, a political subdivision or a public or private entity for any purpose.

            C. Should any or all provisions of Subsection B herein be declared unenforceable by final judgment, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no public funds of the state, political subdivision or other public entity shall be used to expropriate property abutting that portion of Bayou Liberty from U.S. Highway 190 south to Louisiana Highway 433.

            D. Should any or all provisions of Subsection B herein be declared unenforceable by final judgment, no property abutting that portion of Bayou Liberty from U.S. Highway 190 south to Louisiana Highway 433 shall be expropriated by the state, a political subdivision or a public or private entity unless the court finds that great public loss or inconvenience will result if the expropriation does not occur.

            E. Subject to conditions stated herein, the Department of Conservation and Energy is hereby authorized to purchase property along that portion of Bayou Liberty from its headwaters to U.S. Hwy. 190 to be used as conservation easements. The purchase of property for conservation easements shall only be authorized if and when funding for the purchase is appropriated for that purpose by the legislature.

            F. The provisions of this Section shall supersede and control to the extent of any conflict with any other provision of law. It is the intent of the Legislature of Louisiana that the property referenced in this Section be maintained and protected without expropriation for the present and future benefit of Louisiana citizens.

            Acts 1999, No. 499, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §22, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.