La. Stat. tit. 38 § 4
Current with operative changes from the 2024 Third Special Legislative Session
The Department of Public Works may, on its own initiative and at its own expense with any money appropriated by the State for these purposes, drain and reclaim, or cause to be drained and reclaimed, the undrained or partially drained marsh, swamp and overflow lands in the state, with the view of controlling floods and causing settlement and cultivation of the lands.
La. R.S. § 38:4