Summary of HR 311 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)
Purpose and intent
- HR 311 is a House Resolution that urges and requests the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to conduct a comprehensive study of Louisiana’s Scenic Rivers Program.
- The study should examine the long-term stewardship, protection, management, and conservation of Scenic River resources statewide, with particular attention to issues affecting the Tangipahoa River in the wake of the Smitty’s Supply incident.
- The Committee is asked to report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives no later than February 1, 2027.
Key provisions and focus areas
The resolution directs the committee to evaluate, and consider data and input on, the following topics:
1. History, purpose, and effectiveness of Louisiana’s Scenic Rivers Program.
2. The ecological, recreational, cultural, and economic importance of scenic rivers across the state.
3. Existing protections, management practices, and conservation efforts affecting scenic rivers statewide.
4. The role of the Scenic Rivers Program in protecting fisheries, wildlife habitat, water quality, ecological integrity, and watershed sustainability.
5. Existing and emerging challenges to scenic river resources (e.g., industrial incidents, pollution, erosion, sedimentation, development pressures, watershed management concerns).
6. Specific issues related to the Tangipahoa River following the Smitty’s Supply incident (August 2025 explosion/fire in Roseland, LA).
7. Monitoring, restoration, and watershed management efforts for the Tangipahoa River and its surrounding watershed.
8. Potential impacts of industrial contamination events on scenic river resources (fisheries, wildlife, recreation, tourism, scenic character, public confidence).
9. Coordination among state agencies, local governments, universities, nonprofit organizations, recreational stakeholders, scientific experts, and other entities involved in stewardship and restoration.
10. Long-term restoration, resilience, and stewardship considerations for scenic rivers and broader Louisiana watershed protection.
11. Potential recommendations to improve scenic river stewardship, watershed management, conservation, recreation, fisheries protection, environmental communication, and public education.
Scope of data and stakeholders
- The committee is instructed to consider input from:
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Scenic Rivers Program)
- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
- Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- State universities, nonprofit organizations, local governments
- Recreational stakeholders, business organizations, and other entities engaged in watershed management, conservation, and restoration
- The study may incorporate scientific data, professional input, and other relevant information.
Timeline and reporting
- The committee has a specific deadline to report findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives: no later than February 1, 2027.
- The resolution directs that a copy be transmitted to:
- Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
- Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health
- Regional Administrator of the U.S. EPA
- Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Geographic and thematic emphasis
- While the resolution covers scenic rivers throughout Louisiana, it places particular emphasis on the Tangipahoa River due to concerns raised by the Smitty’s Supply incident in August 2025.
- The Tangipahoa River is recognized as an important component of Louisiana’s Scenic Rivers System with significance to recreation, fisheries, tourism, ecological stewardship, and the cultural/economic well-being of southeast Louisiana.
Procedural notes
- The resolution is advisory in nature, urging a legislative committee to undertake a study and report back. It does not itself create new laws or funding commitments.
- The sponsor is Representative Coates (with a co-sponsor noted as Kim Coates).
Potential impact
- If adopted, the study could inform future legislation, policy adjustments, or enhanced interagency coordination related to scenic river protection and watershed management.
- Findings may lead to recommendations for improved environmental communications, monitoring, restoration efforts, and public education regarding Louisiana’s scenic rivers, including improved responses to incidents similar to Smitty’s Supply.
- Emphasizes transparent, science-based decision-making and public trust in river stewardship.
Overall, HR 311 aims to catalyze a statewide, collaborative review of the Scenic Rivers Program’s effectiveness and resilience, ensuring long-term protection of scenic river resources with a lens toward the Tangipahoa River and recent environmental incidents.
