2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 49 — State administration
RS 49:214.6.1 — Office of coastal protection and restoration

§214.6.1. Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration

A. The Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration is created and shall be a body corporate with the power to sue and be sued. The domicile of the office shall be in Baton Rouge.

(1) The Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration has all of the rights, powers, and immunities incident to corporations. It may acquire, own, administer, alienate, and otherwise dispose of all kinds of property, movable and immovable, tangible and intangible; contract; adopt, alter, or destroy an official seal; sue and be sued, implead, and be impleaded. Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Chapter, the office may perform every act necessary, convenient, or incidental to the exercise of its power and authority, the discharge of its duties, or the performance of its functions.

(2) The office shall be the implementation and enforcement arm of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. The office shall be directed by the policy set by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority as enumerated in R.S. 49:214.1.

(3) The office, through its offices and officers, shall be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the master plan and annual plan. This office shall implement the integration of hurricane protection, storm damage reduction, flood control, infrastructure, and coastal protection and restoration efforts in accordance with the master plan and annual plans.

(4) The provisions of R.S. 44:5(A) shall not be applicable to any activities or records of or pertaining to the office.

B. Executive director and deputy director of the Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration

(1) There shall be an executive director of the Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration. He shall report to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority for all matters within the jurisdiction and purview of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and work in conjunction with the executive assistant.

(2) The executive director shall be appointed by the governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

(3) The executive director, or his designee shall have authority, subject to the budgetary constraints of the funding provided in R.S. 49:214.5.4, and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the civil service commission to employ, appoint, transfer, assign, terminate, and promote such personnel as is necessary for the efficient administration of the Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration.

(4) The executive director, or his designee, shall approve all plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction of all projects for which the office is responsible. He also shall have such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, by the provisions of this Chapter, or by the laws of this state. He shall report the proceedings of his office annually to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and at such other times as the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority may designate, and he shall make any additional reports as are required by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

(5) The executive director, or in his discretion a subordinate or subordinates, shall administer the programs, projects, and activities approved and funded by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority relating to and affecting integrated coastal protection, including conservation, restoration, creation, and enhancement of coastal wetlands, hurricane protection and flood control in Louisiana as provided by law and as provided in the master and annual plans, and other special programs as may be directed by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, except those relative to coastal zone management as provided in R.S. 49:214.21, et seq.

(6) The executive director shall report annually to the legislature as to the progress of the projects and programs enumerated in the master plan or annual plans or any component thereof. For each project or program, estimated construction and maintenance costs, progress reports, and estimated completion timetables shall be provided.

(7) The executive director is granted full power and authority to delegate, assign, or appoint in his discretion any subordinate to perform any function or duties required by law to be performed by the office, except as specifically provided in this Title. This grant of power and authority shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes of this Chapter.

(8) The executive director shall provide the necessary reports, staff, assistance, and support to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority in order to assist in the development of the master plan and annual plan.

(9) The executive director may appoint ex officio notaries in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 35:411.

(10) There shall be a deputy executive director of the Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration. He shall perform all duties defined in this Section in the absence of the executive director or through authority delegated to him by the executive director or in conjunction with the duties of the executive director.

Acts 2009, No. 523, §3, eff. July 10, 2009.