What We Do

In January 2020, Marie Constantin decided to devote a year of her life to the litter cleanup of Capitol Lake. Fifteen months and 1,200 bags later, she came to the conclusion that managing stormwater is the solution.

 

The Louisiana Stormwater Coalition is an all-volunteer, grassroots effort dedicated to educating and increasing public awareness about the benefits of permanently funded stormwater management programs. The original founding members of the coalition are: Marie Constantin, Dr. Jeff Kuehny, Kelly Hurtado, and Renée Verma.

To help solve our flooding and litter problems, we believe Louisiana must focus on permanent funding and creating accountable stormwater management programs so cities can:

1.   Keep litter off the streets through anti-litter education, garbage and recycling best practices, and litter enforcement

2.  Keep flood-causing sediments, litter and pollution out of the watersheds with infrastructure build-outs, capital outlay projects, drainage maintenance, litter-catching equipment such as booms, band-a-longs, hydrodynamic separators, and green infrastructure projects designed to take in and absorb stormwater

 
 

Our Mission

To increase stakeholder and public awareness about the benefits of permanently funded stormwater management programs and how these programs can help solve a community’s litter and flooding issues, which are directly connected to economic development, a safe and clean environment, and a vibrant quality of life.

 

What We Know

  • Louisiana is ranked #1 in rainfall in the United States — we live with large amounts of water so we must manage it.

  • In Louisiana we do not have beaver dams, we have litter dams.

  • Water has no boundaries; Louisiana parishes must work together to prevent flooding and litter.

  • When you see litter on the street, you know there is a massive litter problem in the watershed.

  • When large amounts of rain, litter and pollutants mix they cause drainage issues, clog storm drains, cause flooding, and harm wildlife.

  • Loose garbage is the enemy — litter on the street heads straight into storm drains during heavy rainfall and flows into our rivers, lakes, bayous and wetlands.

  • To reduce litter on the streets and in the watersheds, please BAG YOUR HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE and tie it tight, and DO NOT OVERFILL your bins!

  • Single-use items and plastics are predicted to double by 2050 (Reuters, Plastic consumption on course to nearly double by 2050 - research, February 26, 2023)

  • Litter is a vicious cycle no matter how much litter we pick up; stormwater management programs provide a reliable source of funding to help put programs, equipment, and systems in place to address a community’s issues.

  • Stormwater management programs focus on improving water quality and helping cities comply with the Clean Water Act and MS4 permits.

  • Many communities with established stormwater management programs have earned good Community Rating Systems (CRS) rankings, which leads to affordable insurance rates.

  • Litter comes from many sources — not just people. Solid waste and recycling best practices, as well as proper handling and transportation are also key to keeping our streets and watersheds clean.

  • Permanently funded stormwater management programs at the local level create a dedicated division with employees and experts solely responsible for treating and managing stormwater. The best programs are those with a two-pronged approach: 1) attack litter on the streets with anti-litter education and public awareness campaigns and staff dedicated to effective solid waste management as well as litter enforcement and fines. 2) capture flood-causing sediments, pollution and litter before they enter watersheds with infrastructure projects and improvement, drainage maintenance, and the strategic purchase, placement, and maintenance of stormwater equipment such as booms, band-a-longs, and hydrodynamic separators. Green infrastructure projects designed to “take-in” or hold and absorb stormwater diverting it from homes and businesses are also important stormwater program elements.

  • Closing the loop on pollution in the watersheds with litter and debris-catching equipment will help us protect our wildlife and reclaim Sportsman's Paradise.

  • Stakeholder outreach and public education, as well as accountability and transparency, are critical first steps to creating a successful stormwater management program. Define and understand the problem, then devise a solution.

 

“We are not called to be successful but faithful.”

— Mother Teresa