COASTAL RES/COASTAL ZONE: Imposes additional requirements for certain coastal use permits on Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF RV See Note)

HB 890 requires new scientific evidence and stricter environmental reviews for certain construction projects on Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, directly affecting developers of pipelines, dredging, or offshore platforms. It mandates specific documentation - including sediment testing, benthic habitat mapping, and hydrodynamic modeling - to prove activities won’t permanently harm lake bottoms, disrupt ecosystems, or increase pollution. The bill also requires independent scientific reviews, public hearings in affected areas, and written findings for each environmental criterion before permits are issued. These rules apply to all pending permits as of the law’s effective date, with no impact on federal jurisdiction.