EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 96-56

Project Restore Task Force

WHEREAS: the State of Louisiana is firmly committed to protecting and restoring its coastal areas;

WHEREAS: state and local governments are faced with the increasing expense and difficulty of disposing of solid waste;

WHEREAS: large amounts of nonhazardous waste are being placed in land fills;

WHEREAS: the cost of disposing of nonhazardous waste materials is a rising expense for Louisiana citizens, businesses and industries

WHEREAS: the State of Louisiana could benefit from using its nonhazardous waste materials as coastal restoration materials; and

WHEREAS: there is a need to research and analyze the potential of using nonhazardous waste materials and by-products for useful purposes;

NOW THEREFORE I, M.J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: An advisory task force, to be known as the Project Restore Task Force, is re-established within the Executive Department, Office of the Governor, to research and analyze the potential of using nonhazardous waste materials for coastal restoration projects. The project of the task force shall be known as Project Restore.

SECTION 2: The Project Restore Task Force shall:

A. advise the Governor's Office regarding measures relative to the implementation of Project Restore;

B. advise the Secretaries of the Departments of Natural Resources and of Environmental Quality on the actions, roles and responsibilities that their Departments should play in fulfilling the purpose of Project Restore; and

C. coordinate activities with the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act on Federal Actions and of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act procedures.

SECTION 3: The members of the Project Restore Task Force shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The membership shall be composed of the following secretaries and representatives:

A. the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, who shall serve as co-chair;

B. the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, who shall serve as co-chair;

C. a representative of the Office of the Governor, Office of Coastal Activities;

D. a representative from each of the following divisions of state government:

1. the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Restoration and Management;

2. the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Solid and Hazardous Waste;

3. the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Water Resources;

4. the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries;

5. the Department of Economic Development, Recycled Products Division;

6. the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium;

7. the Institute for Recyclable Materials, Louisiana State University;

8. Louisiana State University Sea Grant Program;

9. University of Southwestern Louisiana;

10. Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Soil and Water Conservation;

11. the Institute for Environmental Studies, Louisiana State University; and

12. the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, Southern University;

E. a representative of the Louisiana Chemical Association;

F. a representative of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association;

G. a representative of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana;

H. four representatives of generators of large quantities of nonhazardous solid waste materials;

I. a representative for coastal landowners;

J. a representative of a municipality or a parish government; and

K. two at-large members.

SECTION 4: Support staff for the Project Restore Task Force and facilities for their meetings shall be provided by the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources.

SECTION 5: Project Restore Task Force members shall not receive compensation, or a per diem. Nor shall they be reimbursed for travel expenses for their attendance at meetings.

SECTION 6: This Order shall be effective upon signature of the Governor and shall continue in effect until amended, modified, or terminated, or rescinded by the Governor, or terminated by operation of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 17th day of October, 1996.

M.J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Governor

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State