Natural Resources Department

For Louisiana residents, particularly those in the Bayou Region, the **Natural Resources Department** in Houma serves a critical function, deeply entwined with the region's unique culture and environment. The reference to this office—specifically the **Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government's** Natural Resources or Coastal Restoration office—is important because it is the **primary local governmental resource** for matters relating to the vast coastal wetlands, waterways, and conservation efforts that define life in Terrebonne Parish.

It is crucial to clarify that the **Natural Resources Department office is not a campground**. Instead, this office, located on Grand Caillou Road, is the administrative and planning hub for various activities that *enable* and *regulate* outdoor recreation in the parish. While the office itself does not offer direct camping sites, it is the authoritative source for Louisiana locals seeking information on permitted outdoor activities, coastal zone management, coastal use permits, and conservation projects that may directly impact hunting, fishing, and informal camping opportunities in the surrounding wetlands, marshlands, and bayous. This department works tirelessly to preserve the very landscape that makes outdoor experiences in Terrebonne Parish so unique and appealing.

The Natural Resources Department office is conveniently located at **3206 Grand Caillou Rd, Houma, LA 70363, USA**. This address places the office south of the Houma core, along a major route that runs down the heart of Terrebonne Parish toward the Gulf of Mexico.

For Louisiana locals, the location on Grand Caillou Road is central to the coastal community, providing easy access for residents of Houma, Dulac, and other southern communities who often visit the office for permitting or information regarding coastal activities. Accessibility to the office is straightforward during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday. While this is an administrative office, its location is symbolic of its mission: deep within the heart of the coastal zone it works to protect. Visitors looking to discuss recreational opportunities, such as finding public access points for fishing, authorized primitive camping locations, or rules for use of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the general area (like Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA, which has a tent-only campground), should use this office as their starting point for local, parish-level information.

The services provided by the Terrebonne Parish Natural Resources Department are vital to maintaining and regulating the environment for the benefit of both residents and outdoor enthusiasts. These services focus on preservation, regulation, and information dissemination.

• Coastal Zone Management (CZM): The department manages and implements the parish’s Local Coastal Zone Management Program, which governs development and activities near coastal waters.
• Coastal Use Permits (CUPs): Issuing and managing permits for construction, modification, or other uses within the coastal zone, directly impacting property owners and developers.
• Coastal Restoration and Preservation: Actively involved in the proposal, application, and monitoring of various **coastal restoration projects** funded through programs like CWPPRA and CIAP, which create or restore wetlands vital for fish and wildlife habitat.
• Public Information and Outreach: Serving as a public resource for information regarding coastal resilience, flood risk, and the impact of environmental changes on local culture and economy.
• Recreational Guidance: Providing local knowledge and guidelines on public access to waterways, best practices for recreational use in sensitive coastal areas, and monitoring public access within the coastal zone (while respecting private property).

The true highlights of the Natural Resources Department are the critical functions it performs in environmental stewardship, which, in turn, sustain the outdoor opportunities Louisiana residents cherish.

• Coastal Resiliency Efforts: The office is at the forefront of local efforts to adapt and prepare for increasing flood risk and land loss, including the development of the **Terrebonne Parish Adaptation Strategy**.
• Habitat Enhancement: Through various projects, the department contributes to the long-term conservation and restoration of wetlands, which are crucial habitats for **fish, waterfowl, and alligators**, enhancing the quality of local hunting and fishing.
• Local Coastal Use Permit Authority: Serving as the permitting authority for many local coastal uses, ensuring that development is managed sustainably and in a way that minimizes damage to natural storm barriers and flood control systems.
• Economic and Cultural Protection: By working to protect the coast, the department directly supports the livelihoods of local fishermen, shrimpers, and trappers, as well as preserving the unique cultural heritage of the Bayou Region.
• Access to Waterways: Promoting recreational uses and monitoring public access within the coastal zone, helping to ensure that Louisiana residents maintain their ability to engage with the parish's vast network of bayous and wetlands.

To obtain the most accurate, up-to-date information regarding coastal permits, environmental projects, and regulations that affect outdoor recreation and property use in Terrebonne Parish, contact the office directly.

Office Address: 3206 Grand Caillou Rd, Houma, LA 70363, USA

Primary Phone: (985) 857-3628

Alternative Phone: +1 985-857-3628

Managing Entity: Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government

For general government information, the TPCG Government Tower is located at 8026 Main Street. For specific inquiries related to coastal zone management, coastal restoration projects, or local outdoor resource use, the Grand Caillou Road office remains the essential resource for Louisiana locals.

For the Louisiana local, "choosing" the **Natural Resources Department** is about engaging with the **source of knowledge and regulation** for your entire outdoor environment. You are not choosing a campground; you are choosing to be an informed, responsible steward of the natural resources that make Terrebonne Parish one of the most unique places on Earth.

What makes engaging with this office supremely worthwhile is its **role in protecting the future of coastal Louisiana**. For those who hunt, fish, boat, or simply live near the water, this department’s work on coastal restoration and permitting directly impacts your ability to enjoy and use the waterways. The staff are experts in the local environment and can guide you through the complexities of coastal use permits and conservation areas. By contacting this office, you are ensuring your outdoor activities align with best practices and local regulations, thereby helping to sustain the bayous and wetlands for the next generation of Louisiana outdoorsmen. It is the essential point of contact for preserving the culture of the coast.