§214.31. Existing authority of certain state departments and local governments retained

            A. Nothing in this Subpart shall abridge the constitutional authority of any department of state government or any agency or office situated within a department of state government. Nor shall any provision, except as clearly expressed herein, repeal the statutory authority of any department of state government or any agency or office situated in a department of state government.

            B. Permits issued pursuant to existing statutory authority of the office of conservation in the Department of Energy and Natural Resources for the location, drilling, exploration, and production of oil, gas, sulphur, or other minerals shall be issued in lieu of coastal use permits, provided that the office of conservation shall coordinate such permitting actions pursuant to R.S. 49:214.32(B) and (D) and shall ensure that all activities so permitted are consistent with the guidelines, the state program, and any affected local program.

            C. Permits issued pursuant to existing statutory authority by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for the leasing, seeding, cultivation, planting, harvesting or marking of oyster bedding grounds shall be issued in lieu of coastal use permits, provided that the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall coordinate such permitting actions pursuant to R.S. 49:214.32(B) and (D) and shall ensure that all activities so permitted are consistent with the guidelines, the state program and any affected local program.

            D. The provisions of this Subpart are not intended to abridge the constitutional authority of any local governments, levee boards or other political subdivisions.

            Acts 1978, No. 361, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1979; Acts 2023, No. 150, §20, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.