Environmental Affairs

Functions & Responsibilities

The major responsibilities of the division include:

  • Refuse collection and disposal
  • Products recycling
  • Stormwater quality management education
  • Environmental management systems
  • Compliance, remediation, and regulatory planning, to include program coordination, regulatory analysis, legislation, and program planning and evaluation
Mission

The mission of the Division of Environmental Affairs is to maintain and protect the environment through education and outreach programs, the collection and disposal of wastes, conservation of natural resources, and planning for the future environmental needs of the people who live, work, and do business in the Parish of Caddo.

Goals
  • To collect and dispose of wastes to meet or exceed regulatory requirements
  • To promote integrated solid waste management through the appropriate use of recycling and resource recovery
  • To provide citizens with high-quality and cost-effective service in a timely, courteous, and reliable manner
  • To provide comprehensive environmental planning'
  • To serve as a technical resource on environmental issues]
  • To make the most of our diverse human resources through teamwork, training, individual development, and personal communication
Flood Control
Flood Management

The Flood Management Section is responsible for maintaining existing storm-water drainage facilities and the assurance that private development projects meet flood Control objectives and compliance with the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) guidelines. It is the primary goal of the Commission to plan and develop solutions to flooding and drainage problems along with the needs of Caddo Parish.

Main Objectives
  • Promote awareness of floodplain management issues link Caddo mitigation plan 2016
  • Administer and enforce the Floodplain Ordinances for Caddo Parish Ordinances
  • Address storm-water and drainage issues in new development
  • Seek solutions to existing flood problems.
  • Assist where possible to inquiries relating to flood control and drainage issues.

The Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) announcement and the FEMA Fact Sheet provide additional information about flood mapping. For a map of the 100-year floodplains in Caddo Parish, please see the 100 Year Floodplain Map.

Flood Plain Development Application

Mitigation

Mitigation generally is defined as actions taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property from hazards. Mitigation actions are designed to reduce the need for emergency response, not improve the ability to respond.

Learn More about Flood Control Information here
Homeland Security

The Louisiana Disaster Act of 1993 authorized the Caddo Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Executive Council as the primary responsible party for meeting the dangers posed by disasters.

For more information, please visit the Caddo Parish Homeland Security and Bossier Parish Homeland Security pages.

Flood Monitoring Gauges

To search for Water Levels in your area, visit the USGS WaterAlert Map. The Lake Levels website provides up-to-date flood monitoring gauge information throughout Louisiana, including the Caddo-Bossier area.

See below for the following locations Water Levels:

More Information

National Weather Service - Shreveport Area

Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association - Louisiana State Office

Property Standards

Property standards are the required minimum standards that specify how a property should be maintained and are enacted to ensure that a minimum level of maintenance is adhered to on all properties within Caddo Parish.

Please click here for the Property Standards Enforcement pamphlet

What is Covered

The Storing of or abandoning of junk, inoperable, or wrecked automobiles or motor vehicles, discarded or abandoned major appliances, or other metal; tin or other discarded items garbage cans more than twenty-four (24) hours after the garbage has been collected, on any lot, neutral ground, street or sidewalk, within the unincorporated area of the Parish is prohibited.

Exceptions

Areas to be excluded from this section of the ordinance are Commercial property, farmland, recreational locations, five-acre tracts of land (excluding a 150-foot setback from a public right-of-way), businesses, i.e., oil and gas or timber, and the interior of residential homes.

Legal Information

Property Standards are enforced by the Parish of Caddo under Ordinance No. 5455 of 2015. Upon the first violation of this article, a person shall receive a “Warning Citation” and be allowed 14 days to abate the violation; if the violation is not abated by the 15th day after the warning citation is issued, that person shall be personally issued a “Notice of Violation.” The parish shall have the authority to abate any violation(s) enumerated under the provisions of this article by the utilization of parish resources or a private contractor. Any costs or expenses incurred by the parish relative to the abatement of any violation(s) under the provisions of this article shall be the owner's responsibility. The parish shall have a lien and privilege for the cost of abating any violation on any property located within the corporate limits of the parish.

Reporting Ordinance Violations

The Parish of Caddo strives to enhance neighborhoods and their citizens’ health, safety, and general welfare through efficient and effective Parish code enforcement. All ordinance issues will be addressed responsively and fairly, focusing on customer service and public awareness while respecting the property rights of our citizens.

If you suspect a code violation in your area or neighborhood, contact the Property Standard section or the Constable responsible for the Ward District in which you live.

Storm Water Management

Stormwater is water that runs off impervious surfaces such as rooftops, paved roads, driveways, and parking lots. Stormwater carries sediment and surface pollutants such as petroleum products, litter/trash, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Stormwater is washed down storm drains. By reducing or eliminating these potential pollutants in the stormwater runoff, the water quality in the streams and rivers should be improved. Improving the quality of these waters will provide cleaner and safer water for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities.

The Parish of Caddo has implemented a program to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality regulations. Generally, these regulations apply to all large urbanized areas in the United States. As a part of the program, Caddo Parish has prepared a Storm Water Management Plan.

Learn More about our Storm Water Management Program here
Water Conservation

As Louisiana realizes that its freshwater supply is not infinite, it becomes the responsibility of the individual stakeholder to do what they can to conserve their water supply. Conservation of one’s water supply in the home means using the water resource more efficiently inside and outside. The Parish of Caddo has prepared a couple of brochures to help citizens of Caddo become more aware of the need for water conservation.

Freshwater Database Map

The Nature Conservancy released a new online freshwater database and mapping tool that combines millions of records to better overview the state’s freshwater system.

Educational Materials

Conserving Caddo's Water Supply - Understanding Water Conservation
Caddo's Water Supply - How to be Water Smart

Caddo Artifacts

Finding ancient artifacts such as an arrowhead can be a fun and exciting event; however, It's important to document any archaeological find. It is also important to stop digging and mark the location with GPS coordinates. The Parish encourages anyone working or excavating along a Parish right-of-way to contact the state archaeology office of any archeological finds. An archeologist will photograph the location and create a report of the general description of the artifacts found.

Louisiana law -  Louisiana Unmarked Human Burial Sites Preservation Act

Louisiana Division of Archaeology 
P.O. Box 44247,
Baton Rouge, LA 70804, 
Phone: 225-342-8170, 
Email: archaeology@crt.state.la.us

Louisiana Archaeological Society
Dr. Joe Saunders, 
Department of Geosciences, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, 
Monroe, LA 71201
Phone: 318-342-1899, 
Email: www.laarchaeology.org

Louisiana Archaeological Conservancy
P.O. Box 82002
Baton Rouge, LA 70884-2002
Phone: 225-342-8170