Scenic Rivers bill narrowed to five years after intense opposition; committee approves amendment

Senate Bill 331, carried by Senator Owen, would temporarily remove a narrowly defined portion of the Lower West Pearl River from the Scenic Rivers Act for up to five years to allow projects addressing silting, navigation and infrastructure access. The author said the bill’s scope and sunset were reduced from prior drafts after discussions with stakeholders.

The author said narrow, targeted work is needed to clear silt that currently prevents barge access for bridge and marsh restoration projects. He cited projects affecting road and bridge access and said the zone affects only a roughly five-mile stretch in straight-line terms and would not reach Lake Pontchartrain or other linked water bodies. He said the bill ideally would allow necessary work to proceed and noted previous temporary suspensions in the same river.

Environmental groups and river advocates—including The Nature Conservancy, North Shore River Watch, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, and Louisiana Environmental Action Network—testified in opposition. The groups said removing protections sets a dangerous precedent, reduces opportunities for public review, and may allow larger channel re-routing or reservoir projects that would permanently alter sensitive river habitat. Several witnesses urged retaining the Scenic Rivers Act protections while permitting necessary work under the Act, or at least changing mandatory 'shall' language to permissive 'may' so permitting remains case-by-case with public participation.

Committee members pressed the author on whether project plans and permit applications exist; the author said project numbers and CPRA involvement exist for some work but conceded detailed plans were not before the committee that day and offered to provide project numbers to staff. Members also discussed shortening the sunset period from five to three years as a compromise and removing reservoir-construction exemptions; the author agreed to work with stakeholders and staff.

After questions and negotiation, the committee adopted an amendment narrowing the area and reducing the sunset period, and Senator Jenkins moved to report SB 331 as amended. With no objection, the committee approved the amendment and reported the bill as amended for floor consideration. Opponents said they will continue to press for protections and public-permitting language during the next stage.