Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stormwater Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts stormwater management ordinance to meet DEQ/NPDES guidance
Summary
The Plaquemines Parish Council unanimously adopted an ordinance incorporating a stormwater quality management and discharge control plan to align parish code with Louisiana DEQ and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System recommendations. Residents asked whether funds could support pump‑station upgrades.
At its Nov. 14 meeting, the Plaquemines Parish Council adopted an ordinance to incorporate a stormwater quality management plan (MS4/SWMP) into the parish code and to authorize the parish president to implement measures and execute related documents.
Councilmembers and residents discussed local stormwater realities: some East Bank neighborhoods reported blocked or closed drainage paths and aging pump stations that cannot move runoff without upgrades. A public commenter said many drainage channels had been filled and rely on pumping; councilmembers and staff clarified that reopening some back levies is a federal decision and that the ordinance is focused on preventing illegal pollutant discharges and complying with NPDES requirements rather than reopening large federal flood controls.
Councilmember McCarty and others expressed concern about deliberate dumping of motor oil and cooking oil into drains; legal and environmental staff noted that enforcement depends in part on state DEQ capacity. The ordinance passed by voice vote, 8–0. Administration said engineering will follow with specifics on how the ordinance, and any grant applications, could be used to upgrade local pump stations or seek state/federal assistance.
