A.  The Department of Transportation and Development shall plan systems of inland waterways, navigation drainage; irrigation and water conservation projects; foster the maintenance, improvement, and extension of the Intracoastal Canal System and its feeders; and initiate, sponsor, and carry through to completion all waterway projects which will further develop and expand the water resources of Louisiana, whether the projects are under the Flood Control Act or any other federal agency.

B.  Nothing in this Section shall be construed as interfering with the jurisdiction of the United States government over the navigable waters in Louisiana or as abridging, impairing, or altering the rights, obligations, and authority of the United States, the Secretary of the Army, Chief of Engineers, or any commission, board, or officer of the United States conferred or provided by any Act of Congress in respect to the execution, maintenance, or control of any plan, project, or program of flood control, navigation, or the use and improvement of navigable streams and waters, or in respect to any of the matters or things referred to in this Section.

C.  Nothing in this Section shall be construed as interfering with the mission and jurisdiction of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board for all integrated coastal protection, as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 49:214.2(10), including but not limited to water resources development and water conservation projects located in the coastal area, as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 49:213.2(3).

Amended by Acts 1952, No. 127, §13; Acts 2012, No. 601, §1, eff. June 7, 2012.