La. Admin. Code tit. 43 § I-705

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 5, May 20, 2024

Section I-705 - Guidelines for Linear Facilities

A. Linear use alignments shall be planned to avoid adverse impacts on areas of high biological productivity or irreplaceable resource areas.

B. Linear facilities involving the use of dredging or filling shall be avoided in wetland and estuarine areas to the maximum extent practicable.

C. Linear facilities involving dredging shall be of the minimum practical size and length.

D. To the maximum extent practicable, pipelines shall be installed through the "push ditch" method and the ditch backfilled.

E. Existing corridors, rights-of-way, canals, and streams shall be utilized to the maximum extent practicable for linear facilities.

F. Linear facilities and alignments shall be, to the maximum extent practicable, designed and constructed to permit multiple uses consistent with the nature of the facility.

G. Linear facilities involving dredging shall not traverse or adversely affect any barrier island.

H. Linear facilities involving dredging shall not traverse beaches, tidal passes, protective reefs, or other natural gulf shoreline unless no other alternative exists. If a beach, tidal pass, reef, or other natural gulf shoreline must be traversed for a non-navigation canal, they shall be restored at least to their natural condition immediately upon completion of construction. Tidal passes shall not be permanently widened or deepened except when necessary to conduct the use. The best available restoration techniques which improve the traversed area's ability to serve as a shoreline shall be used.

I. Linear facilities shall be planned, designed, located, and built using the best practical techniques to minimize disruption of natural hydrologic and sediment transport patterns, sheet flow, and water quality and to minimize adverse impacts on wetlands.

J. Linear facilities shall be planned, designed, and built using the best practical techniques to prevent bank slumping and erosion, and saltwater intrusion, and to minimize the potential for inland movement of storm-generated surges. Consideration shall be given to the use of locks in navigation canals and channels which connect more saline areas with fresher areas.

K. All nonnavigation canals, channels, and ditches which connect more saline areas with fresher areas shall be plugged at all waterway crossings and at intervals between crossings in order to compartmentalize them. The plugs shall be properly maintained.

L. The multiple use of existing canals, directional drilling, and other practical techniques shall be utilized to the maximum extent practicable to minimize the number and size of access canals, to minimize changes of natural systems, and to minimize adverse impacts on natural areas and wildlife and fisheries habitat.

M. All pipelines shall be constructed in accordance with Parts 191, 192, and 195 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, and in conformance with the Commissioner of Conservation's Pipeline Safety Rules and Regulations and those safety requirements established by R.S. 45:408, whichever would require higher standards.

N. Areas dredged for linear facilities shall be backfilled or otherwise restored to the pre-existing conditions upon cessation of use for navigation purposes to the maximum extent practicable.

O. The best practical techniques for site restoration and revegetation shall be utilized for all linear facilities.

P. Confined and dead end canals shall be avoided to the maximum extent practicable. Approved canals must be designed and constructed using the best practical techniques to avoid water stagnation and eutrophication.

La. Admin. Code tit. 43, § I-705

Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of the Secretary, LR 6:493 (August 1980).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 49:214.27.