§ 3:3623 — Landowner's right of action; remedies

A. An owner of forest land shall have a cause of action against a governmental entity for damages resulting from governmental action which prohibits or limits an owner's ability to conduct forestry activities on forest land in which the owner has an interest.
B. An action brought under the provisions of this Section may be filed in the district court that has jurisdiction over the property and the owner shall be entitled to a trial by jury, provided that the requirements of R.S. 13:5105 are met.
C. In an action brought pursuant to this Section and subject to the provisions of R.S. 13:5105 et seq., upon a determination that a governmental action caused a diminution in value of forest land resulting in prohibition or limit of use in violation of this Part, the owner shall recover a sum equal to the diminution in value of the property and retain title thereto.
D. The court in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to this Section may award costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees, to the prevailing party in addition to other remedies provided by law.
E. A subsequent repeal or rescission by the governmental entity of the governmental action, which is the subject of a suit, shall not preclude the owner of the right to recover damages resulting from such action and in the discretion of the court, reasonable attorney and expert witness fees.

Legislative History

Acts 1995, No. 302, §1.