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SB 331

WATER/WATERWAYS: Provides relative to the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Owen

The bill preserves Scenic Rivers protections statewide but creates a temporary, limited exception for the West Pearl River segment (Lock 1 to Rigolets) and its tributaries from Aug

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 493.
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Bill Summary · SB 331

Bill Summary — SB 331 (2026, Louisiana)

Title

WATER/WATERWAYS: Provides relative to the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act.

Effective Date: August 1, 2026

Jointly sponsored by Senator Owen (Co-sponsor: Bob Owen)

1) Main Purpose and Intent

  • The bill preserves the existing protections of the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System, which is designed to protect, conserve, and replenish state water bodies that are designated as natural and scenic rivers.
  • It creates a targeted temporary exception to the current prohibitions for channelization and other potentially transformative activities on a specific segment of the West Pearl River, between Lock 1 and the Rigolets, during a defined period.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Existing Protections Maintained

  • The Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act’s core protections remain in place for designated rivers, streams, and bayous within the Natural and Scenic Rivers System.
  • Prohibitions apply to activities such as:
    • Channelization
    • Clearing and snagging
    • Channel realignment
    • Reservoir construction
  • These protections aim to prevent alterations that would degrade water quality, habitat, and natural riverine characteristics.

B. Temporary Exceptions for West Pearl River Segment

  • A new, time-limited exception is created for a specific stretch of the West Pearl River:
    • Location: The portion lying between Lock 1 and the Rigolets.
    • Timeframe: August 1, 2026, through August 1, 2031 (note: amendments adjust the end date; see amendments below for precise wording).
  • Purpose of exception: Allows activities that would otherwise be prohibited under the Scenic Rivers Act for this specified segment during the stated period.
  • The amendments introduced by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources adjust the end date of the exception from 2033 to 2031 and ensure the exception applies to the West Pearl River “and its tributaries” within the specified segment.

C. Statutory Addition

  • Adds a new subsection to the Revised Statutes (R.S. 56:1855(Q)) to formalize this temporary exception.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Geographic scope: The West Pearl River segment between Lock 1 and the Rigolets, and its tributaries within that same reach.
  • Regulatory impact: Temporary relaxation of certain Scenic Rivers protections for that segment, allowing activities previously barred by the Act during the specified window.
  • Broader system: The existing protections remain in effect for all other rivers, streams, and bayous designated under the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date of new law: August 1, 2026.
  • Temporary window for exceptions: August 1, 2026, to August 1, 2031 (per Amendment No. 3; Amendment No. 1 changes end date language from 2033 to 2031).
  • Legislative history:
    • Prefiled and referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources (February 27, 2026).
    • Reported with amendments by the committee (April 15, 2026).
  • Amendments: The bill underwent amendments to:
    • Update the end date of the exception period (2031 instead of 2033).
    • Explicitly cover the West Pearl River segment and its tributaries within the exception window.

5. Potential Impact Considerations

  • The temporary exception could enable certain project activities on a critical river segment during the specified period, which may have implications for navigation, flood control, habitat manipulation, or infrastructure works.
  • Stakeholders in the West Pearl River corridor—including local governments, environmental groups, and industries relying on riverine resources—will need to coordinate to ensure compliance and assess environmental and community impacts during the exception window.
  • Since the protections remain in place outside the designated segment, overall river conservation goals of the Scenic Rivers Act are not altered statewide; the change is narrowly scoped and time-limited.

If you’d like, I can add a plain-language comparison of the bill with current law or provide a brief FAQ for local stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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