2020 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality
§2282. Capitol lakes

RS 2282 - Capitol lakes

A. The legislature recognizes that the lakes, which may be* located in the state capital city adjacent to the capitol building and the governor's mansion, are classified as an inactive and abandoned hazardous waste site by the Department of Environmental Quality. The legislature finds and declares that it is inappropriate for such a waste site to be located at the center of state government and that it is desirable to have the lakes cleaned up and made into an attractive area where families can engage in recreational activities. Further, the legislature finds that allowing the sediments in the lakes to remain contaminated with hazardous waste will make it prohibitive to perform any works in the lakes such as dredging for drainage purposes and adding enhancements such as fishing piers. The legislature declares that the cleanup and removal of the contaminants in the sediments in the lakes is a priority of the state and that the Department of Environmental Quality should move expeditiously to require the cleanup to commence immediately.

B. Any remediation agreement, order, or judgment by any authority to clean up or remediate any lakes that are classified as hazardous waste sites and are located in the state capital city adjacent to the governor's mansion or the grounds of the state capitol building, hereinafter referred to as "the lakes", shall provide for the cleanup or remediation of the hazardous substances in the sediments of the lakes to the extent that human health and the environment is protected, taking into consideration all reasonably anticipated future uses of the lakes, including but not limited to dredging and recreational use.

C. Not later than January 1, 1998, the department shall complete phase 1 remedial investigation to characterize the water and sediment depths and aquatic species and identify and delineate the contaminate concentrations in the sediment and the selected biota. The department shall negotiate with any and all parties that are responsible pursuant to this Subtitle to conduct further remedial action as appropriate or to pay the costs of any remedial action to be taken by the department. Should the department not enter into an agreement with any responsible party to conduct further remedial action, if required, it shall institute such legal proceedings authorized pursuant to this Subtitle by June 1, 1999, to require the responsible parties to bear the remedial costs incurred or to be incurred by the department. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or restrict any remedy or cause of action the department may have against any person.

D. Each month the department shall deliver a status report of the activities of the department regarding actions related to the remediation of the lakes to the office of the governor, the House and Senate environment committees, the speaker of the House, the president of the Senate, and to the senator and representative in whose district the lakes lie.

Acts 1997, No. 1337, §1, eff. July 15, 1997.

*As appears in enrolled bill.