New rules governing the Louisiana’s Natural and Scenic Rivers System, announced by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) in October 2013, become effective today, March 20, 2014.
Recommendations to amend the existing rules were made by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
The new rules include:
- The use of a motor vehicle or other wheeled or tracked vehicle on a designated system stream is now prohibited, except for permitted uses and direct crossings by immediately adjacent landowners, lessees, and persons who have written permission from the landowner for non-commercial activities that do not significantly degrade the ecological integrity of the stream.
- Natural and Scenic Rivers System regulations now conform with the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act relative to activities more than 100 feet from designated system streams that have potential to directly and significantly degrade the ecological integrity of a system stream may require a permit.
- A permit is now required for a moored houseboat or floating camp, except when moored to a legally permitted piling, pier or bulkhead or moored to trees using connections that do not damage the trees and with written permission of the owner of the trees. Legally moored houseboats with a permit or letter of certification from the parish health unit, verifying an approved sewerage disposal system is on board, would also be excepted.
To review the revised Title 76, Part IX, Sections 105, 115 and 117, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/new-rule-changes .
The Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act of 1970 provides LDWF the authority to regulate those activities that may directly and significantly degrade the ecological integrity of a natural and scenic river. The Louisiana Legislature created the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System for the purpose of preserving, protecting, developing, reclaiming, and enhancing the wilderness qualities, scenic beauties, and ecological regimes of certain free-flowing Louisiana streams. Today, there are approximately 3,000 miles of designated Natural and Scenic Rivers in the state.