SCASCR29 375 2541 SENATE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS Regular Session ENROLLEDAmendments SENATEproposed CONCURRENTby RESOLUTIONSenate NO.Committee on Natural Resources to Original Senate Concurrent Resolution No.

29 BYby SENATORSenator KLEINPETERKleinpeter ANDAMENDMENT REPRESENTATIVENO. CHASSION A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION To create and provide with respect to a joint legislative committee to study and make recommendations with respect to the water qualityof the Atchafalaya Basin.

WHEREAS,1 theAtchafalayaBasinisOn thelargestriverpage swampin1, NorthAmericaandline a2, vitalafter ecological,"respect" economic, and culturalbefore resource"a" forinsert the"to" stateAMENDMENT ofNO. Louisiana;

and2 WHEREAS,thebasinservesasacriticalfloodwayfortheMississippiOn Riversystempage and3, playsbetween anlines essential22 role in flood control, water storage, and sediment23, distributioninsert within"10. the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System;

andAtchafalaya WHEREAS,Basin theKeeper." basinPage provides1 essential habitat for fish, wildlife, migratory birds, and aquatic species, and supports significant commercial and recreational fisheries that contribute to the economy and heritage of Louisiana;1

and WHEREAS, the Atchafalaya Basin has experienced substantial sediment accumulationovermanydecadesduetonaturalriverprocessesandhumanalterationsofthe Mississippi River system, including channelization, levee construction, dredging, and operation of flood control structures;

and WHEREAS, large quantities of sediment carried bythe Mississippi and Red Rivers are diverted into the Atchafalaya Basin through the Old River Control Structure and other hydraulic features of the flood control system;

and WHEREAS, the accumulation of sediment in the basin has contributed to reduced water depths, impaired water circulation, and the formation of spoil banks and sediment deposits that restrict natural hydrologic connectivity;

and WHEREAS, reduced water flow and increased sedimentation can degrade water quality, increase stagnation, alter nutrient dynamics, and contribute to the loss of aquatic habitat;

and WHEREAS, these changes may adversely affect fish populations and the Page 1 of 3 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

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29 ENROLLED productivityof commercial fisheries, including crawfishand finfish, as well as recreational fishing opportunities relied upon by residents and visitors;

and WHEREAS,thecontinuedaccumulationofsedimentwithinthebasinmayalsoaffect floodconveyancecapacity, navigationchannels,andthelong-termecologicalsustainability of the Atchafalaya Basin;

and WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of sediment sources, transport mechanisms, and basin management strategies is necessary to develop effective solutions to reduce sediment inputs and restore water flow and ecological function within the basin.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby create a joint legislative committee to study the water quality of the Atchafalaya Basin to include the causes and effects of sediment accumulation in the Atchafalaya Basin and Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System, to evaluate impacts on water flow, water quality, habitat, and commercial and recreational fisheries, and to recommend strategies to reduce sediment entering the basin and to remove accumulated sediment to restore ecological and hydrological function.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the joint legislative committee created herein shall be composed of members of the Senate who represent Districts 17, 21, and 22 and members of the House of Representatives who represent Districts 18, 46, 50, 60 and 96.

BEITFURTHERRESOLVEDthatthepresidentoftheSenateshallnameoneofthe Senate members of the committee as the chairperson for the limited purpose of calling the first meeting, and at the first meeting, the membersshall elect a chairmanand other officers as the joint committee may deem appropriate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for purposes of this study the joint legislative committeeshallhaveallpowersotherwiseprovidedbylawandbytherulesoftherespective houses,aswellasallpowersinherentinlegislativecommitteesandthatthemembersthereof shallreceivetheperdiemandmileageprovidedforcommitteesbytherulesoftherespective house.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the joint committee shall receive staff support from the committee staff of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

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Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

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29 ENROLLED BEITFURTHERRESOLVEDthatinconductingthisstudythejointcommitteemay request data, technical assistance, and recommendations from state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and stakeholders involved in the management of the Atchafalaya Basin and will seek input and advice from the following:

1.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

2.

The Department of Conservation and Energy.

3.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

4.

The Department of Environmental Quality.

5.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District.

6.

Commercial fishing interests in the Atchafalaya Basin.

7.

Recreational fishing interests in the Atchafalaya Basin.