SCR 84

2026 Regular Session  ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 84
BY SENATOR SEABAUGH AND REPRESENTATIVE BAMBURG
  A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Conservation and Energy, in consultation with the
        United States Geological Survey, to create the Earthquake Task Force to study
        seismic activity in Red River, Bienville, Caddo, DeSoto, and Natchitoches parishes
        and to develop a multipurpose plan for monitoring seismicity in Louisiana.
        WHEREAS, seismic activity has been reported in and around Red River, Bienville,
Caddo, DeSoto, and Natchitoches parishes in recent months, including earthquakes of
sufficient magnitude to be felt by residents, damage property, and be detected by regional
and national seismic monitoring networks; and
        WHEREAS, the Department of Conservation and Energy has cooperated with the
Red River Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and other
entities to monitor the situation and coordinate an appropriate response; and
        WHEREAS, earthquakes arise from a variety of natural processes, including
movement along subsurface faults, regional geologic stresses, and other naturally occurring
structural processes; and
        WHEREAS, seismic events may originate at varying depths and at a distance from
potential contributing factors; and
        WHEREAS, the scientific literature recognizes that certain human activities may in
some circumstances contribute to or trigger seismic activity; and
        WHEREAS, earthquakes of only moderate magnitude have the potential to threaten
the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana and may result in damage to
homes, infrastructure, public facilities, pipelines, transportation systems, and other property;
and
        WHEREAS, understanding the geologic structures, fault systems, subsurface
conditions, and potential human influences associated with seismic activity is essential to
assessing risks and protecting public safety; and
        WHEREAS, the precise causes, frequency, distribution, and magnitude of seismic
events in Red River Parish and surrounding regions have not been fully studied or
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SCR NO. 84  ENROLLED
documented through a comprehensive scientific investigation; and
       WHEREAS, the Department of Conservation and Energy has begun coordinating
with the United States Geological Survey and universities throughout the state to gather
scientific data and determine the location, orientation, depth, and extent of active faults,
improve ground shaking models, and consider possible causes of the recent seismic activity;
and
       WHEREAS, with the participation of local legislators and landowners in the region,
the United States Geological Survey has installed initial seismic monitoring equipment in
the Red River Parish region and may deploy additional instruments to improve the ability
to detect, locate, and analyze seismic activity; and
       WHEREAS, the Department of Conservation and Energy, the United States
Geological Survey, and Tulane University have conducted investigations and site visits to
collect and analyze data related to potential contributing factors to recent earthquakes,
including subsurface geologic conditions, nearby faults, and injection volumes associated
with regulated activities; and
       WHEREAS, Louisiana presently lacks a seismic monitoring network to provide
location data in near real time, and has no mechanism to facilitate expert assessment of
earthquake activity and causal factors in the state; and
       WHEREAS, enhanced seismic monitoring and scientific analysis are essential in
determining the source and characteristics of earthquake activity in the region and in
developing recommendations to improve prediction, preparedness, and mitigation of
potential seismic hazards; and
       WHEREAS, cooperation between state and federal scientific agencies would
expedite a determination of causes and characteristics and aid in developing
recommendations for moving forward.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of Conservation and Energy, in consultation with Tulane
University and the United States Geological Survey, to gather all available data and study
the causes and characteristics of seismic activity in the Red River Parish region, and to
propose recommendations by written report to the legislature and to the David R. Poynter
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SCR NO. 84  ENROLLED
Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than February 1,
2027.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge
and request the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy to create the
Earthquake Task Force to evaluate the requirements and make recommendations for a
multipurpose state-wide seismic monitoring network, to consist of the following members:
        (1) The secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy, or his designee.
        (2) The associate director of the United States Geological Survey, Natural Hazards
Mission Area, or his designee.
        (3) The dean of the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, or his
designee.
        (4) The director of the Red River Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness, or his designee.
        (5) The secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, or her designee.
        (6) The chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, or his designee.
        (7) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, or his designee.
        (8) The director of the Louisiana Geological Survey, Louisiana State University, or
her designee.
        (9) The president of the Louisiana Landowners Association, or his designee.
        (10) One member appointed by the governor to represent the oil and gas industry.
        (11) One member appointed by the governor to represent industrial waste injection
facilities.
        (12) One member appointed by the governor.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of appointees and designees shall be
submitted to the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy no later than
August 15, 2026.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the task force shall convene for its first meeting no
later than September 15, 2026, at the call of the secretary of the Department of Conservation
and Energy, and at the first meeting, the members shall elect a chairman and other officers
as the task force may deem appropriate.
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SCR NO. 84  ENROLLED
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the task force shall require the
affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report of the Earthquake Task Force shall
be presented at a duly noticed public meeting, which shall be held in Red River Parish, no
later than March 1, 2027.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on the date of the
presentation of its report or March 1, 2027, whichever occurs first.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy, the secretary of the Department
of Environmental Quality, and the director and the associate director for Natural Hazards of
the United States Geological Survey.
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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