A.  The Legislature of Louisiana hereby finds that there exist in Louisiana many unique and diverse free-flowing rivers, streams, and bayous which should be preserved, protected, and enhanced for the present and future benefit of Louisiana citizens.  In order to assist in fulfilling its duties to protect, conserve, and replenish the natural resources of this state in accordance withthe Louisiana Constitution Article IX, Section 1, the legislature does hereby establish the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System.  

B.(1)  This system shall be administered for the purposes of preserving, protecting, developing, reclaiming, and enhancing the wilderness qualities, scenic beauties, and ecological regime of certain free-flowing streams or segments thereof.  

(2)  This system shall further be administered for the purpose of preserving aesthetic, scenic, recreational, fish, wildlife, ecological, archaeological, geological, botanical, and other natural and physical features and resources found along these streams or segments thereof.  

Acts 1970, No. 398, §1; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 1982, No. 267, §1; Acts 1988, No. 947, §1, eff. July 27, 1988.