LMR_October FINAL 2018

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Louisiana Watershed Initiative In response to the devastation caused by the Great Floods of 2016, Gov. John Bel Edwards charged several state agencies with coordinating their efforts to reduce future flood risk and help communities take steps toward becoming more resilient. For the past two years, these agencies have been hard at work to accomplish this mission. To that end, Gov. Edwards issued an executive order creating the Council on Watershed Management, which builds on best practices already implemented in some areas of the state. The Council comprises decision-makers at five state agencies that deal with flood-risk management and represents a distinct shift from the status quo in Louisiana’s flood-risk reduction efforts. The Council will coordinate its efforts to empower and enable local governments and stakeholders to address flood risks on a watershed basis, as opposed to the political and jurisdictional boundaries that have historically driven the process. To this end, the Council has launched the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. Through the Initiative, the Council established technical advisory groups consisting of subject matter experts from throughout the state who will build a foundation of data, projects, policies, standards and guidance to manage our state’s water at the watershed level. One of the core principals of the technical advisory groups is to fully engage municipal and parish government officials and professionals, as well as the public and other stakeholders, into all recommendations and approaches undertaken by the Watershed Initiative and Council. The Great Floods of 2016 devastated thousands of Louisianians; without a coordinated effort at the watershed level, we can anticipate more of the same. We owe it to each of our residents to act responsibly with this coordinated approach across all levels of government. We must accept this charge by diligently applying objective, science-driven approaches to reduce future flood risk and achieve the best possible long-term sustainability and resilience in our communities. In September, the Initiative started hosting a series of meetings and technical workshops throughout Louisiana. At these events, municipal leaders and their staff have been integral participants in the ongoing development of data and plans that will inform these efforts. The schedule for all Louisiana Watershed Initiative meetings is located online at http://watershed.la.gov. We hope you will join us at these events, as well as actively engage your municipality with the Initiative by emailing us with your questions, comments and concerns at watershed@la.gov. Before digging, call 811 at least two full work days in advance. That’s all it takes to notify LA One Call members, so they can mark nearby utility lines and pipelines to prevent injury and costly accidents. IT’S THE LAW. IT’S FREE. Call or click www.LAOneCall.com Page 14 LMR | October 2018
Partner Insight Rural Development USDA PROVIDES RESOURCES TO HELP RURAL COMMUNITIES THRIVE BY USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT STATE DIRECTOR DR. CARRIE CASTILLE USDA works every day to strengthen rural communities throughout the state. For many municipalities seeking funding opportunities, federal regulations can be the downfall for innovation and economic opportunities. USDA is committed to removing regulatory red tape that often is a barrier to rural prosperity. A plan to streamline program regulations and procedures to help increase access to capital in rural areas is in the works. In 2020, USDA will allow lenders to use the same application form for four Rural Development (RD) loan guarantee programs that provide funding for business development, infrastructure improvements, and essential community services. The Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan Program, the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program and the Rural Energy for America Program will consolidate regulations to enhance customers experience. Lenders can apply online to better align modern lending practices, accelerate approval processes, increase capital to start and expand businesses, and build critical infrastructure. For more information, please see page 45091 of the Sept. 5 Federal Register. USDA also unveiled a new webpage featuring information about the importance of rural e-Connectivity and the ways the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing to help deploy highspeed broadband infrastructure in rural America. Reliable and affordable high-speed internet e-Connectivity acts as a catalyst for rural prosperity by enabling efficient, modern communications between rural American households, farms, ranches, businesses, schools, and health care centers. Yet, according to the Federal Communications Commission, 80 percent of the 24 million Americans who lack broadband access live in rural areas and on tribal lands. USDA plays a key role in helping rural communities bridge this infrastructure gap through program investment, strategic partnerships, and Dr. Carrie Castille best practice implementation by investing in rural telecommunications infrastructure. This new website will give direct access to information on our decades-long programs that offer more than $700 million per year for modern broadband e-Connectivity in rural communities. In the coming months, USDA will almost double these longstanding programs with an additional $600 million to expand rural broadband infrastructure in unserved rural areas and tribal lands. As we are working to set up the new pilot program, USDA wants to hear the thoughts and needs of Americans living and doing business in rural communities. The new website includes a feedback form for the public and interested stakeholders to provide input on the design and requirements of the new pilot program. USDA is working to help expand economic opportunities and rural prosperity throughout Louisiana. As leaders in your communities, your guidance for change is extremely important. Please contact me, carrie.castille@la.usda.gov or (318) 473-7921, to let us know how we can help. LMR | October 2018 Page 15
Page 1 and 2: Louisiana Municipal Review PUBLISHE
Page 3 and 4: Inside the LMA Director’s Viewpoi
Page 5 and 6: Inside the LMA Governor’s Column
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Page 9 and 10: Municipalities Condolences Mayor Pa
Page 11 and 12: A Word from Our Affiliates Premium
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Page 19 and 20: Sunday, October 21 12:00 p.m. - 5:0
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LMR_October FINAL 2018

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