Chapter 12Louisiana Watershed Initiative

The Louisiana Watershed Initiative is a coordinated interagency effort focused on reducing flood risk and increasing resilience throughout Louisiana. Through this initiative, the state is working towards coordinating floodplain management responsibilities in Louisiana based on watershed boundaries throughout the entire state. They are also in close collaboration and partnership with local jurisdictions to achieve long-term flood risk reduction and resilience outcomes. 

Louisiana’s eight watershed regions each coordinate efforts among parishes to reduce the risks of flood damage.

Geography: Eight watershed regions were established as part of the initiative.  See the next page for a breakdown of coastal parishes by region.

State Agencies Involved: Office of Community Development (main), Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Department of Transportation and Development and Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Funding: The state of Louisiana is making a massive initial investment of over $1.2 billion in the Louisiana Watershed Initiative with US HUD Community Development Block Grant–Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) dollars to fund project design and construction, regional capacity building, policy improvements, and watershed planning.

Region 4

Region 5

Region 6

Region 7

Region 8

Points of Contact

• • Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Coastal Resource Scientist, Sam Martin: sam.martin@la.gov
  • Louisiana Watershed Initiative, Resilience Planning Manager, Alexandra “Alex” Carter: alexandra.carter@la.gov
• MRD Contact 
  • Restore the Mississippi River Delta contact, Campaign Director, Simone Maloz: smaloz@mississippiriverdelta.org