Louisiana State Representative Paul Sawyer says the state could dramatically speed up major infrastructure projects if Louisiana gains more control over the federal environmental review process.
During “Mornings with Brian Haldane” Wednesday morning, Sawyer discussed Senate Bill 115, which would allow the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to take over parts of the federal NEPA process. NEPA stands for the National Environmental Policy Act. The process requires environmental reviews before large projects can move forward.
Sawyer said the current system causes long delays for projects across Louisiana. He pointed to the new Calcasieu River Bridge project, which took roughly 25 years to move through environmental approvals before construction could begin.
He also connected those delays to the proposed new Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area. Sawyer said the current federal review process can take decades, but state control could reduce that timeline to two or three years.
Sawyer argued Louisiana would not lose authority under the change. Instead, he said the state would gain more control over projects that already depend heavily on state involvement and funding.
The conversation also turned to Louisiana’s ongoing congressional redistricting debate. Sawyer said one of the biggest concerns for lawmakers in the Capital Region is keeping Baton Rouge and nearby parishes connected instead of splitting them into multiple districts.
He described the latest proposed congressional map as one of the most cohesive versions presented so far while still preserving minority representation.
Sawyer also discussed efforts tied to flood protection in the Amite River Basin. He supports legislation that would keep severance tax revenue generated in the basin focused on local flood control projects.
The proposal comes as Louisiana approaches the 10-year anniversary of the historic 2016 flood.