Chapter 1.3:
Local Level
Local governmental structure varies among parishes, towns, cities, and rural areas. Out of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, 40 are governed by a police jury association while the other 24 operate under a home-rule charter form of government.
A police jury is headed by a President and the elected members are called jurors. Most police juries are located in rural parishes. Of the 24 home-rule charter parishes, they vary between council-president, commission, consolidated, and city-parish forms of government. A home-rule charter means that the state gives legislative authority to the parish to conduct government business (pass laws and ordinances) throughout the parish, including incorporated and unincorporated areas.
Police Jury Form
Acadia
Allen
Assumption
Avoyelles
Beauregard
Bienville
Bossier
Calcasieu
Caldwell
Cameron
Catahoula
Claiborne
Concordia
DeSoto
East Carroll
East Feliciana
Evangeline
Franklin
Grant
Jackson
Jefferson Davis
LaSalle
Lincoln
Madison
Morehouse
Ouachita
Pointe Coupee
Rapides
Red River
Richland
Sabine
St. Helena
Webster
West Carroll
Winn
Home Rule Charter
Council President
Ascension
Iberia
Iberville
Jefferson
Lafourche
Livingston
Plaquemines
St. Bernard
St. Charles
St. James
St. John the Baptist
St. Landry
St. Martin
St. Mary
St. Tammany
Tangipahoa
Washington
West Baton Rouge
West Feliciana
Commission
Caddo
Natchitoches
Consolidated
East Baton Rouge
Lafayette
Terrebonne
City Parish
Orleans
Local governments make environmental decisions usually in the form of planning and zoning, public works, and emergency preparedness. To address an environmental issue or concern, start with your local government or local OHSEP office. From there, you may need to contact state or federal offices such as LDEQ or EPA. If you still need help, you may then need to contact state and federal legislators. See the Appendix for a broad listing of topics and their points of contact. Navigating this process can seem overwhelming when you are facing an environmental challenge but non-profit organizations, like LEAN, can be a valuable resource for guidance and support. Be sure to reach out, Contact Us! We are here to help.