La. Stat. tit. 38 § 141
The several parishes of Louisiana, Orleans Parish excepted, may expropriate land and the improvements thereon, outside of regularly organized and acting levee districts, necessary for the construction of drainage canals or drainage projects with enough of the adjoining property on which to build spoil banks and on which to place the dirt removed from the drainage canals, and any property next to or in the vicinity of the canals or projects necessary for the construction, inspection, repair, and maintenance of the canals or projects.
The parishes may acquire by expropriation, in the same manner now required by existing laws regulating expropriation suits, either a clear title to the land and improvements thereon or any servitude, right, or interest necessary for that purpose.
La. R.S. § 38:141