EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION NUMBER 115 JBE 2023

STATE OF EMERGENCY -SALTWATER INTRUSION­ PLAQUEMINES PARISH

WHEREAS,  the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake or other natural or manmade causes, in order to ensure that preparations of this State will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana;

WHEREAS, when the Governor determines that a disaster or emergency has occurred, or the threat thereof is imminent, La. R.S. 29:724(B)(I) empowers him to declare a state of emergency by executive order or proclamation, or both;

WHEREAS, due to the extremely low flow rate and low Mississippi River, saltwater is impacting the drinking water supply to over 2,000 residents and businesses in Plaquemines Parish from the Empire Bridge to Venice;

WHEREAS, the current chloride reading for Plaquemines Parish's Boothville water treatment plant is 676 and has increased dramatically from 34 over the last 26 days;

WHEREAS, sodium levels, also found in the Parish's drinking water, have also exceeded normal levels;

WHEREAS, current forecasts are showing that due to minimal rainfall, the river level will continue to drop, contributing to higher levels of chloride and sodium;

WHEREAS, Plaquemines Parish has declared a state of emergency, and will need assistance from the State in their response to this developing threat to the safety, health, and security of its citizens, as well as to the normal operation of public facilities;

WHEREAS, La. R.S. 29:724 authorizes the governor during a declared state of emergency to suspend the provisions of any state regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conducting state business, or the orders, rules or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provision of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency; and

WHEREAS, this order is necessary in order to protect the life, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOHN BEL EDWARDS, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:
 
SECTION 1: Pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, el seq., a state of emergency is hereby declared to exist in the State of Louisiana as a result of the imminent threat of emergency conditions that tlu·eaten the lives and property of the citizens of the State.

SECTION 2: The Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hereby authorized to undertake any activity authorized by law which he deems appropriate in response to this declaration.

SECTION 3: Pursuant to La. R.S. 29:732. during a declared state of emergency, the prices charged or value received for goods and services sold within the designated emergency area may not exceed the prices ordinarily charged for comparable goods and services in the same market area at or immediately before the time of the state of emergency, unless the price by the seller is attributable to fluctuations in applicable commodity markets, fluctuations in applicable regional or national market trends, or to reasonable expenses and charges and attendant business risk incurred in procuring or selling the goods or services during the state of emergency.

SECTION 4: Pursuant to La. R.S. 29:724(D)(l), the Louisiana Procurement Code (La. R.S. 39:1551. et seq.) and Louisiana Public Bid Law (La. R.S. 38:2211, et seq.) and their corresponding rules and regulations are hereby suspended for the purpose of the procurement of any good or services necessary to respond to this emergency, including emergency contracts, cooperative endeavor agreements, and any other emergency amendments to existing contracts.

SECTION 5: All departments, co1m11issions, boards, agencies and officers of the State, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate in actions the State may take in response to the saltwater intrusion event.

SECTION 6:  This order is effective upon signature and shall remain in effect from Friday, June 23, 2023 to Saturday, July 22, 2023, unless terminated sooner.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 27th day of June, 2023.

GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA

ATTEST BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SECRETARY OF STATE