LOUISIANA-MISSISSIPPI TANGIPAHOA RIVER WATERWAY COMPACT
Title of Act:
An Act to enact Part I of Chapter 6 of Title 30, to be comprised
of > R.S. 30:401, and > R.S. 36:359(H); relative to the creation
of a compact between the states of Mississippi and Louisiana for the purpose
of studying the sources of the pollution of the Tangipahoa River, the problems
resulting therefrom, and possible solutions to return the Tangipahoa River
to a clean, viable waterway; to authorize the governor of Louisiana to
execute said compact; to establish a joint commission; to provide
for the placement of the commission in the Department of Natural Resources,
and to provide for related matters. Acts 1988, No. 630.
401. Louisiana-Mississippi Tangipahoa River Waterway Compact
A. The purpose of this compact is to study the sources of the
pollution of the Tangipahoa River, the problems resulting therefrom, and
possible solutions to return the Tangipahoa River to a clean, viable waterway.
B. This compact shall become effective immediately as to the
states ratifying it whenever the states of Louisiana and Mississippi have
ratified it.
C. The states which are parties to this compact (hereinafter
referred to as the "party states") do hereby establish and create a joint
agency which shall be known as the "Louisiana-Mississippi Tangipahoa River
Waterway Commission".
The membership of the commission shall consist of the governor of each
party state, seven members appointed by the governor of Mississippi, seven
members appointed by the governor of Louisiana, three of whom shall be
the members of the Louisiana House of Representatives from House Districts
seventy-two, seventy-three, and seventy-four, two of whom shall be members
of the Louisiana Senate from Senate Districts eleven and twelve, one of
whom shall be a member at large, and the Tangipahoa Parish President.
The appointed members of the commission shall serve for terms of four years
each. Vacancies on the commission shall be filled by appointment
by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term. The members
of the commission shall not be compensated for service on the commission,
but each of the appointed members shall be entitled to actual and reasonable
expenses incurred in attending meetings. The members of the commission
shall hold regular meetings as its business may require. They shall
choose annually a chairman and vice-chairman from among their members,
and the chairmanship shall rotate each year between the party states.
The commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of
its business and a record shall be kept of all its business. It shall
be the duty of the commission to study the sources of the pollution of
the Tangipahoa River, the problems resulting therefrom, and possible solutions
to return the Tangipahoa River to a clean, viable waterway. The commission
shall have the power to hold hearings; to conduct studies and surveys
of all problems, solutions and other matters associated with the pollution
of the Tangipahoa River, and to make reports thereon; to cooperate
with other public or private groups, whether local, state, regional, or
national having an interest in the problem; to formulate and execute
plans and policies for emphasizing the purpose of this compact; and
to exercise such other powers as may be appropriate to enable it to accomplish
its functions and duties and to carry out the purposes of this compact.
D. Nothing in this compact shall be construed so as to conflict
with any existing law, or to limit the powers of any party state, or to
repeal or prevent legislation, or to affect any existing or future cooperative
arrangement or relationship between any federal agency and a party state.
E. This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon
each party state until the legislature or governor of each or either state
takes action to withdraw therefrom. However, any such withdrawal
shall not become effective until six months after the date of the action
taken by the legislature or governor. Notice of such action shall
be given to the other party state or states by the secretary of state of
the party state which takes such action.
Acts 1988, No. 630, S 1.