2018 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 38 - Public Contracts, Works and Improvements
RS 38:2810 - Constructions which impede flow of water in watershed prohibited; pollution defined and prohibited; penalties for violations
§2810. Constructions which impede flow of water in watershed prohibited; pollution defined and prohibited; penalties for violations
(A) No person or public corporation shall erect within the drainage area of the district any dam or reservoir upon any stream or water course until a copy of the plans thereof has been filed with the board of commissioners for approval.
Whoever violates this Subsection shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days, or both.
(B) No person shall knowingly and willfully empty or drain into, or permit to be drained from any pumps, reservoirs, wells or oil fields into any stream or drain within the district any oil, salt water or other noxious or poisonous gases or substances which would render the water unfit for irrigation purposes or would destroy aquatic and fish life in the streams.
Whoever violates this Subsection shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars or more than two hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than three months.
Each day that oil, salt water or other substances are permitted to flow into natural streams or drains which constitute the abovementioned watershed shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
(C) No person shall:
(1) Obstruct drainage channels which compose any drain or stream flowing within the district by bridging them except in accordance with plans, specifications and instructions prescribed by the Board of Commissioners of the said Franklin Parish Watershed District.
(2) Construct dams, locks or gates in drainage channels within the district without permission of the commission.
(3) Extend fences of wire or any other material across drainage channels into and forming a part of the watershed of the district.
(4) Anchor rafts, crafts, fish traps, fish cars and other obstacles in the channel of any stream, drain or natural flow of the feeder streams of the watershed of the district.
(5) Drain into channels by natural or artificial inlets, except under regulations prescribed by the Board of Commissioners of the Franklin Parish Watershed District.
(6) Float timber in the watershed of the district.
(7) Use the channels for transportation or navigation, except under authority of and agreement with the Board of Commissioners of Franklin Parish Watershed District.
(8) In any manner obstruct drainage channels, natural flow drains or natural flowage or violate any of the rules or regulations adopted and promulgated by the Board of Commissioners of Franklin Parish Watershed District for preserving and maintaining the efficiency of the drainage channels in said district.
Whoever violates this Subsection shall be fined not less than two hundred and fifty dollars or more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days or both.
(D) The district attorney of the judicial district within which the watershed district is situated is hereby designated as the proper official and charged with the responsibility of the prosecution of all violations of the rules and regulations adopted by the commission in pursuance hereto.
Added by Acts 1966, No. 101, §10.
