The Louisiana Watershed Initiative’s eight regional steering committees have submitted provisional recommendations to guide long-term regional watershed management in the state, marking a significant milestone in LWI’s efforts to create a statewide framework for comprehensive flood risk reduction.

The committees—representing the diverse backgrounds and technical experience of representatives from Louisiana's eight watershed regions—met regularly throughout 2020 to discuss and prioritize flood risk concerns, assess research on existing conditions and identify best practices and solutions to reduce flood risk through improved regional watershed management. LWI staff facilitated all meetings, either virtually or in a hybrid format. These recommendations represent the culmination of this work and move the state closer to achieving long-term resilience objectives.

Over the next few months, outreach efforts conducted as part of the LWI Regional Capacity Building Grant program will gather feedback from public officials and regional stakeholders on the provisional recommendations and next steps. LWI will present the provisional recommendations to the Council on Watershed Management March 24.

For more details about the watershed regions, click here or email watershed@la.gov.