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State Agencies

Reducing flood risk through watershed-based solutions

The Louisiana Watershed Initiative comprises five state agencies working together to provide funding, technical support, data and resources for flood risk reduction—with the ultimate goal of creating a more resilient Louisiana.

Coordinating Agencies

To learn more about the five state agencies and how they support LWI’s flood risk reduction goals, click on their names or logos below.

  • Louisiana Office of Community Development

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    OCD oversees disaster mitigation and recovery programs funded by federal Community Development Block Grant dollars, involving community resilience planning, housing assistance, data collection and risk reduction projects. The agency also manages other long-term resilience efforts like the first-of-its-kind resettlement of Isle de Jean Charles, a small residential population on the coast of Louisiana.

    Visit the OCD website

  • Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Agency

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    CPRA is responsible for the development of the state's Coastal Master Plan, which leverages science and modeling to prioritize comprehensive coastal protection efforts. The agency also funds risk reduction projects and supports local levee districts. CPRA developed a Flood Risk and Resilience Program framework in concert with the 2017 Coastal Master Plan. The framework, used as a basis for LWI, focuses on reducing risk within Louisiana’s coastal zone through floodproofing, elevating or acquiring structures and supporting policies that promote resilience.

    Visit the CPRA website

  • Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

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    DOTD manages the development of LWI watershed models, which will help assess flood scenarios and solutions statewide. In addition, the agency’s Statewide Flood Control Program administers funds through Louisiana’s Transportation Trust Fund and awards project funding through a multiagency selection process. DOTD is also the coordinating state agency for the National Flood Insurance Program.

    Visit the DOTD website

  • Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

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    GOHSEP administers the state’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, as well as state and local hazard mitigation planning, supported by FEMA. In addition, the agency manages the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program and Public Assistance Grant Program, while also supporting state and local hazard mitigation projects to reduce risks from natural disasters.

    Visit the GOHSEP website

  • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

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    LDWF collects information and data on the state’s wildlife and fisheries for management and conservation. The agency also provides technical assistance for habitat restoration, conservation and additional nature-based solutions. LDWF reviews and provides recommendations on environmental permit applications and other proposed activities to avoid or mitigate impacts. LDWF also administers Louisiana’s Scenic Rivers Program, which protects the wilderness quality, scenic beauty and ecological regimes of designated rivers, streams and bayous.

    Visit the LDWF website