Fall 2006 Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine

Transcription

Number 2
Elmer’s Island
Ouachita Threatened
Orchid Restoration
Vo l u m e 3 4
Fall, 2006
Permit #1393
Baton Rouge, LA
PAID
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
ORGANIZATION
CONTENTS
D E P A R T M E N T S
Number 2
Vo l u m e 3 4
Fall, 2006
Official Publication of
the Louisiana Wildlife Federation
3
From The President and Executive Director
14
Conservation Line
30
Tibby Sez
VOL. 34
Fall 2006
NO.2
Editorial Creed: To create and
F E A T U R E S
encourage an awareness among the people
of Louisiana of the need for wise use and
proper management of those resources of
the earth upon which the lives and welfare
of all people depend: the soil, the air, the
water, the forests, the minerals, the plant
life, and the wildlife.
Magazine Staff
Randy P. Lanctot: Editor
4
Elmer’s Island Acquisition Progressing
5
“Washita” the River of Sparkling Water
7
Restoring the Yellow Lady Slipper
12
Become a LWF Director
16
LWF Conservaion Awards Program
18
Mercury Pollution
23
Discover Louisiana Hunting
24
Question of National Priorities
25
Reservoirs in Louisiana
Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine
(ISSN 0738-8098) is the official publication
of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. The
Federation office is located at 337 South
Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70806. All editorial and subscription
correspondence should be mailed to P.O. Box
65239 Audubon Station, Baton Rouge, LA
70896-5239 (Phone/Fax 225-3446707;mailto:[email protected]. All
manuscripts submitted for publication are
subject to editing or rewriting.
27
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Postmaster: Send change of address to:
28
Record Tagged Gator Harvested
Louisiana Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 65239
Audubon Station, Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239.
29
Campbell Wins State Duck Calling Title
Membership: For information, write to:
Louisiana Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 65239
Audubon Station, Baton Rouge, LA 708965239.
Phone/Fax:
(225)
344-6707.
mailto:[email protected]
Visit Our Website
http://www.lawildlifefed.org
On the cover......
Fall is a favorite season to get out and paddle some of
Louisiana’s secenic streams. From winding swamp and
marshland bayous to crisp-running, gravel-bottomed
rivers and creeks, these diverse waters are widely distributed throughout the state and offer good fishing and
wildlife watching opportunities. There is one near you.
Page 2 Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Fall 2006
FROM THE
Terry L.
Melancon
Fall is here, one of the busiest, most pleasant and enjoyable of our four seasons.
Hunting has begun in earnest with the teal
and first split of the dove seasons now past and
the opening of squirrel, rabbit and archery seasons. In a few weeks, riflemen will be out for
deer and blinds will bristle with waterfowlers.
It’s fall migration time for our favorite backyard species like hummingbirds and butterflies. The hawks are kettling through and the
slanted rays light up the wildflowers along the
country roadsides. The cool weather stirs the
fish into biting and the fall festivals and football games add to the excitement.
While fall is a favorite season of many,
personally I like the change of seasons, all of
them, because they bring different opportunities for me to enjoy the outdoors in the great
state of Louisiana. Whether it be hunting or
fishing, over the years I have developed a routine of enjoying the outdoors based on the
opportunities provided by all of the seasons
and I know that many of you have, too.
I managed to make a dove hunt opening
weekend with my two sons, Aaron and Paul at
a soybean field in the rich soils of the
Mississippi River Delta. A few weeks later it
was the teal season opener along with some
fishing down the river in Venice. While we
did not achieve the successes of season openers
of years past they were still very enjoyable
experiences. It gets more difficult to get
together with my kids because of their commitments to school and work. I cherish each
trip afield with them as the years go by. They
remember vivid details of hunting and fishing
trips from years past like they happened yesterday, some that I have long forgotten, I’m
FROM THE
Randy
Lanctot
It’s been over 30 years since the abundance of wetlands and road kill lured me
to the State of Louisiana and to LSU to
study wildlife management. Way back
then, I was a few years out of college, having graduated from the University of
Wisconsin in 1972, and traveling around
the country on a motorbike.
Although hunting and fishing were
not predominant in the culture of
Chicago’s northwest suburbs where I grew
up, there were just enough hunters and
anglers in my family to pass on the infection. And, at the time, there was still
ample open space close to home to hone
the curiosity and wanderlust that enables a
lifelong desire to know wild things and the
PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE
saddened to say. But they love to tell these stories time and time again as it stirs up memories of good times we had together doing what
we love.
There have been some recent changes at
the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries. Most notable is the departure of
LDWF Secretary Dwight Landreneau.
Dwight has left LDWF to become the Asst.
Vice Chancellor of the LSU AgCenter for
Cooperative Extension. Dwight’s tireless
efforts on behalf of LDWF will be remembered and appreciated for years to come. I
thank you Dwight for your service and support of LWF and other conservation organizations while you were Secretary of LDWF.
While it’s always difficult to talk about
money I am happy to report that LWF is
financially sound because of members who
willingly give to support LWF and our commitment to proper management and conservation of our natural resources. LWF’s finanContinued on page 20
DIRECTOR
intricacies of Nature. Where we couldn’t
hunt with firearms due to the inexorable
incorporation of farm and field to accommodate the future sprawl of suburban
Chicago, we tracked pheasants and rabbits
in the snow. More often than not, we
brought home game that we actually
caught with our bare hands.
Not to be guilty of exaggeration, I
remember only once catching a pheasant.
Dad would not have approved of risking
ruining our pointer by jumping on a bird
right under its nose, but what was I to do?
(We had already done the verboten —
bringing the dog out with us to run rabbits; at least now we were hunting birds!)
The bird lit in a clump of Roseau cane
(Yes, Roseaus grow way up north, too.).
The cane was arched over with heavy
snow. Queen was solid on point, but the
spooky old cock relocated. Queen stalked
to the other side of the cane patch to hold
him. The bird, and Queen, moved again.
Though I couldn’t see it I leapt on the spot
where, by triangulation, I thought the
rooster would be. He eluded my grasp,
but I had a handful of tail feathers and
must have done some other damage. After
a short flight it hit the snow, dead as a
wedge. That was a big deal for our little
band of hunters. With the four cottontails chased down or grabbed from hideyholes in the soft snow earlier that morning, the pheasant added to the feat of bagging a nice mess of wild game without firing a shot.
That was just one of many escapades
in the outdoors while growing up within a
Schwinn ride of the Des Plaines River (a
tributary, once removed, from the big
river that runs not too far from the LWF
office in Baton Rouge) that inspired what
turned out to be my career in conservation
advocacy.
Back to the road kill.
I was no stranger to the productivity
of wetlands. Those little patches of remnant prairie marsh were among the first
places we headed when winter abated and
we didn’t have ball practice or a game on.
Crawfish, tadpoles, dragon flies, water
beetles, an occasional bonus turtle, coon
Continued on page 9
Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Fall 2006, Page 3
Elmer’s Island Acquisition Progressing Says Wildlife Federation
Federal and State Funding Needed
Well into the 5th year of an on again,
off again campaign to acquire and reopen
Elmer’s Island to the public, the Louisiana
camping and fishing destination. Visitors
paid a small fee to the proprietor and drove
to the beach to set up camp for a weekend of
fishing, crabbing, and fun, or just spent the
day in the surf, filling a stringer with speck-
Calli Dunn with “big red” way back when Elmer’s Island was open to the public. Photo by Chris Dunn
Wildlife Federation reports that major
progress has been made toward securing this
unique habitat. The Trust for Public Land
(TPL), a national nonprofit land conservation organization specializing in land acquisitions for public parks, urban green spaces
and wildlife habitat, has negotiated a purchase agreement with the owner of the property and is following up with title work and
appraisals. TPL’s New Orleans office is handling the project.
According to Randy Lanctot, executive
director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation
(LWF), converting the purchase agreement
into an act of sale is the next step. That will
depend on several factors, including active
citizen support for the acquisition. LWF is
the lead advocacy group for state acquisition
of Elmer’s Island.
Located on the Louisiana coast across
Caminada Pass from Grand Isle, for many
years Elmer’s Island was a favorite family
led trout to take back to Baton Rouge,
Houma, New Orleans, Thibodaux, or wherever home was. In comparison to neighboring Grand Isle, Elmer’s Island is essentially
undeveloped, with plenty of room to wander
and explore.
There are several “types” of water on the
“island” - the vast Gulf of Mexico to the
south, a large lagoon opening to Caminada
Pass on the east, and tidal channels on the
north and west, including Bayou Thunder
that discharges into the Gulf when not silted
in at the mouth; thus the land is bounded by
water, making this barrier beachfront an
“island.”
The nearly 1700 acres of “land” on
Elmer’s Island is comprised of beach, low
dunes, sand and mud flats and salt marsh.
Although not a genuine wilderness, it has a
palpable wilderness ambience with wildflower-studded dunes and salty breezes lifting the wings of a variety and abundance of
birdlife. It’s an ideal spot for fishing from a
kayak, a relatively new endeavor among
coastal anglers, and for bird watching, in
addition to the more traditional pursuits
enjoyed by generations before it was closed
to the public in 2002.
According to Lanctot, soon after the
gate to Elmer’s Island was locked, the East
Ascension Sportsman’s League, a LWF affiliate, proposed that the Federation mount a
campaign for the state to acquire and reopen
the property. Although the idea was strongly supported by the public, and regarded
favorably by Governor Foster, and later by
Governor Blanco, the state and owner could
not agree on a price. The relationship
between the owner and state soured and the
effort stalled.
TPL was aware of LWF’s campaign and
the state’s failure to come to terms to acquire
the property. Recognizing the ecological significance as well as the public recreation
value of the area, TPL initiated a relationship
with the property owner. That was almost 2
years ago. With a purchase agreement now
in hand, TPL is working toward finalizing a
sale. If successful, it plans to sell the property to the state for a fair appraised value that
falls within the state’s legal guidelines for
acquiring property.
Lanctot acknowledged that an appropriation of $1.75 million in federal matching funds has been included by Senators
Vitter and Landrieu in the bill that appropriates funding for the US Department of
Commerce. If that amount remains in the
bill as it finally passes and is signed by the
President, it will be available to the state
(along with $250,000 in federal funds previously appropriated) to match funds provided
by the state for acquiring Elmer’s Island.
The federal funds will come through the
Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation
Program (CELCP) within the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Congress currently is in recess, but members
and staff are busily working so that legislation is ready for final adoption when it
reconvenes for a brief session after the elections.
“These federal matching funds are critically important to realizing the public’s longContinued on page 19
“Washita” — the River of Sparkling Water
Photos and story by Keith Skinner
With its rich history and exquisite beauty, the Ouachita River remains one of the
most sought after recreation destinations in
northeast Louisiana. Aside from offering the
residents of the region a recreation venue, it
remains a vital part of the economic devel-
the future.
A recent assessment of the proposed
project was performed by Clifford Randall,
Professor Emeritus of Environmental
Engineering at Virginia Tech. In that assessment, Dr. Randall stated: “In summary, it is
my professional judgment that the currently
proposed pipeline project represents a poten-
The Ouachita River near the state line is in the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System.
opment of the communities it meanders
through.
Just north of the Louisiana state line
there are efforts underway which will, if successful, dump twenty million gallons of
effluent discharge per day, from three El
Dorado, Arkansas industries and the City of
El Dorado Waste Water Treatment Plants
into the Ouachita River. The terminal end
of the proposed nine mile, thirty-six inch,
pipeline will be buried in the riverbed and
discharge the wastewater without any benefit
of treatment other than dilution. The City
of El Dorado, for all practical purposes, will
be the owner of the pipeline. Even more
alarming is a clause in the permit application
which would allow the city of El Dorado to
add additional industries to the pipeline in
tial threat to the Ouachita River aquatic
environment, and several changes need to be
made before it would be environmentally
acceptable.
Unfortunately, the major
changes needed to make the pipeline acceptable are not in the economic best interest of
the City of El Dorado, whereas the pipeline
is critically needed by the industry to enable
their survivals - I found the proposed implementation approach to be seriously flawed
and am convinced that the proposed plan,
even if accurately implemented, will result in
significant harm to the water quality of the
Ouachita River downstream of the pipeline
outfall.”
The Ouachita River has been designated as Louisiana Natural & Scenic River from
the Louisiana state line 22 miles down river,
ending on the north bank of Bayou
Bartholomew in Morehouse Parish. The first
sampling station on the river in Louisiana is
at Sterlington. No industry is located along
the portion of the river designated as Natural
& Scenic from Sterlington up river to the
state line. I believe this area is one of the
most beautiful on the entire river.
I would like to see the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality place
another sampling station on or near the state
line on the Ouachita. The readings from this
station would resolve any questions that
might arise over the quality of the water
entering Louisiana from Arkansas, thus
holding Arkansas’ feet to the fire with respect
to its obligations to maintain the water quality of its portion of the river. It would also
give Louisiana recourse in the event a spill or
release has been detected, not to mention
allow us the opportunity as sportsmen using
the river for recreation to be aware of any
potential health issues that pollutants may
pose.
A wonderful example of what could be
achieved in the best interest of all concerned
is Savannah Georgia’s Phinizy Swamp
(http://www.phinizyswamp.org). Faced with
a myriad of new clean water regulations the
City of Savannah opted to build a constructed wetlands facility that naturally removes
the harmful pollutants to stay within the
more rigid guidelines set forth by the EPA.
The facility has received many accolades
for their work at Phinizy Swamp and it is
considered a model for the future of waste-
It is feared that the proposed wastewater pipeline from El
Dorado, AR to the Ouachita River may mean more “NO
SWIMMING” signs downstream of the discharge point.
water treatment. The facility also includes a
nature park and a living classroom for students from Pre-K thru college graduate level.
The long-term effects that the El Dorado
Wastewater Pipeline poses are not limited to
northeast Louisiana. The Ouachita is connected to an estuary of the Gulf of Mexico.
I can’t understand why a city would
allow private companies to benefit from the
tax paying citizens of El Dorado, Arkansas -
Arkansas chemical plant that will be discharging to the
Ouachita River via the proposed El Dorado, AR wastewater
pipeline.
a percentage of their sanitation bill goes
directly into a fund to develop this project.
As of May of 2005 they had spent over one
million dollars and were required by the
Arkansas Department of Environmental
Quality to do additional testing and modeling before a final decision could be made on
the issuance of a permit.
Louisiana officials also are faced with
another issue that plagues the Ouachita in
and around the Monroe area. Houseboats
are being allowed to dump raw sewage into
the river unobstructed. The City of Monroe
has constructed a dumping station at
Forsythe Park funded by grants from the
Environmental Protection Agency. The station is located where the Twin City Queen
was docked for many years, and the signs
state it is the property of the City of Monroe.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife &
Fisheries and the U.S. Coast Guard enforce
the law against dumping raw sewage in the
river, a Federal Law according to the signage.
After much research I have found the
dumping facility has sat idle since its construction. The fee is one dollar to use the station and users are required to fill out a brief
form and make arrangements in advance so
the unit can be unlocked. The operation of
the station is the responsibility of the City of
Monroe Public Works Department. The
records kept by the department show that
not once have they filled out the paperwork
that is required to be forwarded to the EPA.
I contacted several Louisiana agencies.
Representatives of the Department of
Wildlife & Fisheries stated that the agency
had no standing to enforce the federal law. I
then contacted the Department of
Environmental Quality and got a similar
response.
Calls and emails to the
Department of Health and Hospitals, US
EPA Region Six, as well as the U.S. Coast
Guard were not returned, so I have no clear
answer on why this practice has been allowed
to continue when our tax dollars have been
spent to prevent this behavior, or why no one
has the authority to enforce Federal Law that
is in the best interest of public health.
Officials recently announced their interest in attracting a gambling boat to dock on
the Ouachita River in the Monroe area. The
economic development organizations all
wish to take advantage of the benefits the
river offers, but none have come forward to
contribute to the effort to stop or modify the
proposed pipeline project or support policing of the houseboat sewage situation. We
need to stand up now to save this beautiful
river and make sure our politicians voice
strong opposition to any projects that would
The Ouachita River as it flows by downtown Monroe, LA.
threaten the quality of this outstanding natural resource.
The following resolution was adopted
by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in support of protecting the Ouachita from the
proposed wastewater treatment pipeline project.
SUBJECT: PROPOSED EL DORADO
(ARKANSAS) WASTEWATER
EFFLUENT PIPELINE TO THE
OUACHITA RIVER
WHEREAS, the Ouachita River in
Arkansas and Louisiana is one of the most
beautiful rivers in America, joining the Black
River below Monroe and, ultimately, the Red
River as it nourishes the waters and wetlands
of the productive and once renown Red
River Backwater Area, and
WHEREAS, a wastewater discharge
pipeline at El Dorado, Arkansas, conducting
the effluent of the City of El Dorado’s waste-
water treatment plant, the El Dorado
Chemical Corporation and the Lion Oil
Company to the Ouachita River has been
proposed to relieve the financial burden to
the City of El Dorado and these businesses of
upgrading their treatment systems to meet
state standards for discharge to nearby
streams, and
WHEREAS, consultant reports have
indicated that nutrients from both the City
of El Dorado’s wastewater treatment facilities
and the El Dorado Chemical Company
threaten the health of the Ouachita River’s
aquatic ecosystem by causing eutrification
and biological oxygen demand, thus suffocating aquatic life, and
WHEREAS, alternatives for removing
pollutants from the wastewater discharges
sufficient to prevent adverse impacts to the
water quality of the Ouachita River are available, but are costly, and
WHEREAS, it is not acceptable to
allow the pollution and fouling of the beautiful Ouachita River by the proposed El
Dorado Wastewater Effluent Pipeline simply
to avoid adequately and properly treating
wastewater from the City of El Dorado’s
sewage treatment facilities and local industries.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation
opposes the El Dorado (Arkansas)
Wastewater Effluent Pipeline as currently
proposed and urges that it be modified or
rejected in favor of alternatives that will not
pollute and adversely impact the quality of
the beautiful Ouachita River.
Keith Skinner was recently commissioned
by Simon & Schuster to supply the cover image
for Greg Iles new novel due to be released the
end of this year titled “True Evil.” Other projects he has in the works are the release of a fulllength feature documentary film concerning
pollution on the Ouachita River in Louisiana
and Arkansas titled “Dishonorable Discharge.”
His award winning Louisiana Bayou Visions
Series will be on exhibition in Sulphur,
Louisiana from 2/01/07 thru 03/16/07 at the
Brimstone Museum. His work can be found on
his personal website www.bayouvisions.com
and is offered in a variety of sizes and mediums
including canvas, backlit film and 100% cotton rag fine art prints. A member of the North
Louisiana Camera Club and the River Cities
Art Association, Keith has given presentations
concerning his digital photography methods.
Orchid Restoration on Kisatchie National Forest
by Peter Nilles
Rising up to 2 feet on a slender stem,
the flower of the southern lady’s slipper
orchid (Cypripedium kentuckiense C.F.
Reed) waves its yellow pouch-like lip. The
lip, or labellum, resembles a slipper —
Yellow Lady Slippers in East Texas. Photo by Kevin Allen.
hence the name. The species is among the
most spectacular of central Louisiana’s
flora.
This very rare orchid is found in rich,
moist woods on terraces and low slopes in
small stream valleys of pine hardwood
forests. Although it is found from Virginia
to East Texas, and south to sites in central
Louisiana, it only grows in a few isolated
regions. It is a rare find indeed for any
outdoorsman. In fact, there are only two
known sites, totaling 5 plants, on all of the
Kisatchie National Forest’s 600,000 acres.
The Louisiana Natural Heritage Program
ranks the orchid as “critically imperiled”
(LNHP 2004). Globally, it is considered
“vulnerable to extinction throughout its
range” (NatureServe 2001), and the US
Forest Service assigns it the protected rank
of a regionally “sensitive” plant.
The decline of the southern lady’s slipper (also known as Kentucky lady’s slipper
and yellow lady slipper) orchid tracks
European settlement. Logging, grazing,
introduction of non-native plant species,
“wild” hogs, and other disturbances that
accompany human development have left
only small pockets of suitable habitat for
the orchid. Illegal collection by orchid
fanciers has contributed to the species’
decline. Over the last twenty years, 50 percent of known sites throughout the
orchid’s range have been eliminated
(Medley 1985). Medley (1985) says that
“...most of the [previously known]
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and many
Arkansas populations are extirpated [locally extinct, but present in other parts of its
range].”
The Orchid Hunter
It is in the grim context of the southern lady’s slipper’s declining populations
that an exciting development took place on
the Kisatchie National Forest (KNF) in
2004. Kevin Allen, an amateur botanist
with an interest in native orchids, collected
a southern lady’s slipper seedpod on KNF
lands. This was not a chance discovery.
For some time Kevin had monitored populations of this orchid on forest land. Kevin
was repeatedly disappointed in his
attempts to find the plant in flower, probably due to naturally infrequent flowering
cycles. But persistence paid off. After
three years of monitoring, Kevin found a
flowering lady’s slipper on the KNF’s
Catahoula Ranger District, and caused it
Lady’s slipper seedlings after 25 days growth. Photo by
Peter Nilles.
growing in close proximity to the restoration site. This is especially true with
species like the yellow lady slipper that
have exacting habitat and/or microclimate
requirements, or that are on the edge of
their range. Seed collected from plants
growing at great distances from the restoration site would not carry the genes of local
orchids with their specific signature of
thousands of years of evolution in central
Louisiana. This is what made Allen’s work
with local orchid populations so important
to the Kisatchie National Forest.
The Kisatchie National Forest
Kevin Allen met with Peter Nilles, the
Kevin Allen collects data on a Lady’s slipper on the KNF.
Photo by Peter Nilles.
to be self-pollinated. Weeks later he was
rewarded with a seed pod, which he had a
US Forest Service permit to collect.
Orchid seedpods contain thousands of
powder-grain-sized seeds that are virtually
impossible to grow outside of a lab.
Consequently, Kevin sent the seed pod to
orchid growing experts at the Spangle
Creek Labs in Bovey, Minnesota. The
seeds were found to be fertile, and the lab
successfully grew them out to seedlings in
agar medium using tissue culture methods.
This viable seed now represented an opportunity to begin reestablishing these rare
plants on the Kisatchie.
It is critical to the success of native
plant restoration efforts to use seed that is
collected from naturally-occurring plants
Byron McGraw, Central Louisiana Orchid society
president, speaking to reporters from the Alexandria Town
Talk in July ‘06. Photo by Peter Nilles.
Continued on page 19
Marsh Mission
A colorful colaboration of Two Louisiana Artists
reviewed by Jon B. Barry
Louisiana legend, C.C. Lockwood in
collaboration with Rhea Gary, have produced and incredibly warm and brilliant
work featuring what might well be the last of
the wonderful wetlands of Louisiana.
Painting by Rhea Gary.
The photos and
paintings of the photos
featured in the book
“Marsh Mission” capture
the pure beauty which is
the trademark of the
Louisiana coastal areas
and wetlands, taking the
readers through a tour of
what really “is”, and giving us two different
artists’ eyes through
which to view this splendor which our children’s
Photo by C. C. Lockwood
children might never see.
Conversing frequently the two of them, Cactus Clyde
and Rhea Gary drew the lines for the
topic of their beautiful book, what the
situation is, and their ideas of what has
to be done, but more importantly
recorded through their two different
mediums a very artsty and colorful
book with beautiful images.
America’s Wetland
An elaborate collection of thoughts and photographs of Louisiana
reviewed by Jon B. Barry
Photo by Bevil Knapp.
Both Lockwood and Gary give fascinating read with their descriptive narratives
which compliment their book. Together
they have provided Louisiana as well as the
world a timeless piece showing periled times
for Louisiana’s coastal wetlands.
http://www.marshmission.com
Through the use of beautiful and
telling photos and in eloquent descriptive
prose, photographer Bevil Kapp and
reporter Mike Dunne present a work of
interesting but disturbing times for a way of
life and culture in Louisiana.
Rapidly vanishing marshes and wetlands which over the centuries provided the
lifeblood of Louisiana are shown, possibly
for the last time. Not a book of beauty so
much as a book of situations, situations
which threaten the whole State as well as the
Nation, these two artists show the spots of
beauty as well as the changes which have so
greatly affected our home, our enviromnent, and our lifestyle.
With photos as powerful illustrations,
Kapp shows us where we are, and Dunne
writes of our heritage, our traditions, our
cuisine, and more, and together they show
us through their work, a beautiful verbal
and visual essay of things of the future and
things of the past which will ultimately
affect us all. Well done and beautifully
printed this book will be a guide for anyone
who relishes the history and future of the
State of Louisiana.
Executive Director: Continued from page 3
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tracks - there was a lot for kids to get
excited about as we waded along, filling
our buckets and jars with live stuff. When
I throttled my motorbike across Sabine
Pass into Louisiana and the marshes of
Cameron Parish, on the way to taking in
my first New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, I was
wowed by how vast the wetlands were,
and especially by all the furred (mostly
nutria, a species which I was later to
become more familiar with) and feathered
critters that met a calamitous end crossing
LA 82. I knew through both experience
and formal education that the amount of
dead stuff on the side of the road indicated the abundance of wildlife “out there.”
I was excited. Louisiana was a place I
wanted to know more about.
Two years later I was enrolled in the
wildlife graduate program at LSU, where
my research “learned” me more about “dry
lands” than wetlands - I studied the flora
and fauna of the longleaf pine ecosystem
trying to determine the impacts of Forest
Service grazing policy on the wildlife
habitat there. It was a nice compliment to
my appreciation of wetlands, so much so
that I never pass up the opportunity to
challenge the wetland-centrics among
conservation advocates with the question:
“What about dry lands?” All things are
connected; an appreciation understood by
Native Americans, but mostly ignored by
society and even some environmentalists
in their enthusiasm to embrace the latest
issue framed by trend setters of the movement.
Not long after that the late Leslie
Glasgow, Professor of Forestry and
Wildlife, and former Director of the
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission and Undersecretary of
Interior for Wildlife and Parks in the
Nixon Administration, approached me in
the Forestry Building hallway to recommend a job that I have now held for
almost 27 years. I was flattered, but only
later realized what an honor it was to have
been asked by Prof to try to fill the shoes
of his friend, Charles W. Bosch, Jr., the
LWF’s first executive officer.
So a “Yankee” became a “Dam
Yankee,” though I’ve found that my
French Canadian ancestry, love of land
Louisiana Wildlife Federation
Officers:
President
Terry L. Melancon, 14062
Ridge Rd., Prairieville, LA
70769; 225 (res.) 673-8453
1st-V.P.
E. R. “Smitty” Smith, III
415 Azalea Dr., New Iberia,
LA 70563; 337 (res.) 3649431
Edgar F. Veillon,
Rep. to NWF,
905 Harrison Ave.,
Metarie, LA 70005; 504 (res)
833-9298 (wk) 454-1212 (fax)
885-4887
Eugene J. Dauzat, Jr., 608
Meursault Dr., Kenner, LA
70065; 504 (res.) 468-8408
2nd-VP
Ken Dancak, Ph.D, 224
Shady Crest Lane, Pineville,
LA 71360; 318 (res) 4878879 (fax) 473-7117
Secretary
Barney Callahan, 314 W.
Manfred St., Gonzales, LA
70737; 225 (res) 445-6870
Treasurer
Clinton Mouser, 4428 Toby
Lane, Metairie, LA 70003;
504 (res.) 887-8475
Executive Committee:
Above 5 Officers and 4 Persons Listed Below:
Joe L. Herring, 1021 Rodney
Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70808;
225 (res.) 766-0519
Keith R. Saucier, 13086 She
Lee Place Rd., Gonzales, LA
70737;
225 (res.) 647-6653 (wk.)
242-5561 (fax) 677-7416
Executive Director
Randy P. Lanctot, P.O. Box
65239 Audubon Station,
Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239
Office: 337 South Acadian
Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA
70806; 225 (ph./fax) 3446707(res.) 346-0752
District Vice-Presidents:
District 1
Vacant (St. Tammany,
Orleans, St. Bernard,
Plaquemines Parishes)
District 4
Wayne Hammons,
354 McFarland Rd.,
Choudrant, LA 71227
318 (res.) 982-7185
(Caddo, Bossier, Webster,
Claiborne, Lincoln, Bienville,
Jackson Parishes)
District 5
Ann B. Smith, 306 K St.,
Monroe, LA 71201
(res.) 318 387-9365, (fax)
342-1149 (wk.) 342-1144
(Union, Morehouse, East
Carroll, West Carroll,
Ouachita, Richland,
Madison, Caldwell, Franklin,
Tensas Parishes)
District 6
Greg Cedotal, 40239
LaRochelle Rd., Prairieville,
LA 70769; 225 (res.) 6226385
(Washington, Tangipahoa, St.
Helena, Livingston, Ascension,
East Feliciana, West Feliciana,
East Baton Rouge, West Baton
Rouge, Pointe Coupee
Parishes)
District 2
District 7
District 3
District 8
Clinton Mouser, 4428 Toby
Lane, Metairie, LA 70003;
504 (res.) 887-8475
(Jefferson, Lafourche, St.
Charles, St. James, St. John
the Baptist Parishes)
Chad Leblanc,
407 Candleglow Dr.,
New Iberia, LA 70563
337 (res.)367-9873
(Lafayette, Vermilion, St.
Martin, Terrebonne, Iberia, St.
Mary, Iberville, Assumption
Parishes)
Jerome C. Haas, Jr., 52
Horseshoe Lane, Sulphur, LA
70663; 337(res.) 625-4232
(Beauregard, Allen, Calcasieu,
Cameron, Jefferson Davis,
Acadia Parishes)
Rick Bryan, 2405 Evergreen
Ln., Pineville, LA 71360; 318
(res.) 640-0198;
(Grant, LaSalle, Catahoula,
Concordia, Rapides, Avoyelles,
Evangeline, St. Landry
Parishes)
District 9
Sharon Miller, 345 Point 3
Dr., Florien, LA 71429; 318
(res.)565-4990
(DeSoto, Red River, Sabine,
Natchitoches, Winn, Vernon
Parishes)
Nominations Sought For
Top Conservation Awards
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation
(LWF) is now accepting nominations for the
43rd Governor’s State Conservation
Achievement Awards. The program recognizes those persons and organizations who
make outstanding contributions to the natural resource welfare and environmental quality
of the community, parish and state. There are
eight award categories for which nominations
can be made. They are: professional; volunteer; business; educator; youth; elected official; communications and organization.
The awards themselves, handsome statuettes of majestic wild animals, are unique to
the program and highly coveted by all who
receive them.
According to Terry L. Melancon, LWF
president, “For over 40 years the federation’s
annual conservation awards program has recognized those individuals, organizations and
businesses who have gone ‘above and beyond’
in their efforts to conserve fish and wildlife
resources, to enhance opportunities for all of
our citizens to enjoy the outdoors, to improve
the quality of the environment, and to educate and advocate on behalf of our natural
resources here in Louisiana. Thanks to the
participation of hundreds of Louisiana citizens who have, over the years, encouraged
good conservation work by submitting nominations to the program, these awards are
widely acclaimed as the most prestigious
recognitions of conservation accomplishment
that are presented annually in our state.”
Melancon noted that, in keeping with
tradition, Governor Blanco has endorsed the
program. He encouraged the public to make
nominations.
Nominations are now open and will be
accepted until February 6, 2007. The awards
will be presented on March 3rd at a special
banquet held in conjunction with the 68th
annual convention of the Louisiana Wildlife
Federation at the Holiday Inn in Gonzales.
An awards program brochure with nomination form is available by contacting the LWF
office (225/344-6707) or can be downloaded
from the LWF’s website:
http://www.lawildlifefed.org.
Last year’s honorees were B. E. M. “Ben” Skerrett, III, Lafayette
businessman and icon in the decades-long
effort to preserve the Atchafalaya Basin was
honored posthumously. Skerrett was cited for
his passion to preserve the Atchafalaya Basin,
and particularly, his efforts to implement the
Buffalo Cove Water Management Unit as a
means of restoring the water quality and productivity to that popular Basin fishing
ground. The groundbreaking for the project
was December 2nd, only a few short weeks
after his death;
Noel W. Kinler of New Iberia, Biologist
Program Manager, Fur & Refuge Division of
Fisheries, for leading the state’s alligator management program and maintaining its status
as one of the top wildlife conservation programs in the world;
Thad Bellow of St. Amant for mentoring youth of the community in hunter education, serving as Greenwing and Jakes
Chairman of the local Ducks Unlimited and
National Wild Turkey Federation chapters
and providing leadership and service to the
East Ascension Sportsman’s League;
Kellon Lee of St. Joseph for stepping up
to help wildlife battered by the hurricanes;
Architecture + of Monroe for volunteering architectural services for the development
of the Conservation Learning Center at Black
Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge;
Rex H. Caffey, PhD of Baton Rouge,
Director and Associate Professor, Center for
Natural Resource Economics and Policy, LSU
Department of Agricultural Economics and
Agribusiness, for helping citizens to understand the opportunities and realities of coastal
land loss and restoration;
Louisiana District 60 Representative
Karen St. Germain of Pierre Part for providing key support for projects to improve the
water quality and fisheries productivity of the
Atchafalaya Basin;
C. C. Lockwood of Baton Rouge for
informing the public through his photography and writings of the crisis of coastal land
loss, and particularly for his “Marsh Mission”
project and subsequent publication of Marsh
Mission - Capturing the Vanishing Wetlands,
a collaboration between photographer
Lockwood and painter Rhea Gary, depicting
dramatic images of Louisiana’s fading coast;
Ducks Unlimited for its commitment to
enhancing waterfowl habitat and restoring
Louisiana’s wetlands, particularly along the
coast where it commenced or completed 3
projects last year that will restore or improve
the quality of almost 50,000 acres of wetland
habitat.
Complete write-ups of the accomplishments of these honorees are posted on the
LWF website and may be consulted by those
who wish to have examples of the kind of
work that is worthy of recognition through
this awards program.
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is a
statewide conservation education and advocacy organization with over 10,000 members
and 25 affiliate groups. Established in 1940,
it is affiliated with the National Wildlife
Federation and represents a broad constituency of conservationists including hunters, fishers, campers, birders, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Sponsor Members
First-time $100 or greater LWF
Contributing members are entitled to
receive a sponsor plaque for their
home or office. We extend our grateful
appreciation to the following Sponsor
Members of the Louisiana Wildlife
Federation. Their support and that of
all our loyal members is directly
responsible for the Federation’s growth
and success.
CCI Pipeline Systems, Breaux Bridge
Matthew Doolittle, New Orleans
Keith R. Gibson, MD, Baton Rouge
Harry & Marie Hebert, Lafayette
George J. Mack, Sulphur
- Cameron Telephone Company
Henry K. Threefoot, MD, New Orleans
YOU’RE INVITED! Become a
Director of the Louisiana
Wildlife Federation
Nominations are now open for seats on
the Board of Directors of the Louisiana
Wildlife Federation (LWF/Federation) representing Federation Districts 1, 2, 4, 6, 7,
and 8. The geographic boundaries of each
District are represented on the map. District
1 includes Plaquemines, St. Bernard,
Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes. District
2 includes Jefferson, Lafourche, St. James,
St. John the Baptist and St. Charles Parishes.
District 4 is comprised of Caddo, Bossier,
Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Lincoln and
Jackson Parishes. District 6 includes Pointe
Coupee, East and West Baton Rouge, East
and West Feliciana, St. Helena, Tangipahoa,
Washington, Livingston and Ascension
Parishes. District 7 represents Cameron,
Calcasieu, Beauregard, Allen and Jefferson
Davis Parishes. District 8 consists of St.
Landry, Evangeline, Rapides, Grant, La
Salle, Catahoula, Concordia and Avoyelles
Parishes.
To be eligible for nomination, members
must reside or work in one of the districts
described above and have been an individual
member of the LWF for at least two consecutive years as of the end of 2006. Members
who first joined in 2005 are eligible as long
as their dues for 2006 have been paid. If you
have a question about your eligibility or any
other aspect of service on the LWF Board,
please call or email the Federation office
(225/344-6707;
Mailto:[email protected]).
District directors serve two-year terms
and may seek reelection for additional terms.
Due to the post-hurricanes suspension of
elections for Districts 1 and 7 last year, the
election in these districts will be for a one
year term with the normal election cycle
resuming with next year’s elections.
Directors must keep their LWF membership
current while serving on the Board.
The Board of Directors is the Louisiana
Wildlife Federation’s chief governing body.
It approves programs, builds organizational
capacity, and along with the delegates to
LWF’s annual meeting, establishes policy on
conservation issues. The Board elects the
LWF’s executive officers from its members.
Over the past 20 years, several District
Directors have risen through the ranks to
serve
as
President of
the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. Others
have been able to accomplish personal conservation goals by leading committees and
representing the LWF on task forces, commissions and advisory groups pertaining to
environmental quality and natural resource
conservation. Board members can be
extremely influential in conservation matters
through their work with fellow board mem-
bers and LWF affiliates.
If you are interested in this opportunity,
please do not hesitate to nominate yourself
or provide background information to other
members who may wish to nominate you. If
you know of another LWF member who
might be interested in serving on the
Federation Board, please offer to nominate
him/her. A form and sample resume
outline is included on the next
page.
Nominations will be
accepted through November
15th. Directors will be selected by LWF members from
their district via mailed ballot
later in the month. If you’d like
more details, please contact the
LWF office. Your organization
needs you.
SAMPLE RESUME OUTLINE AND NOMINATION FORM FOR CANDIDATES
FOR LOUISIANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION DIRECTORSHIPS*
Please Reply to: LWF, 337 S. Acadian Thruway,
Baton Rouge, LA 70806; FAX (225) 344-6707; mailto:[email protected]
Name
Age
Address___________________________________________________________________
(Street or P.O. Box)
(City/Town)
(Zipcode)
Email Address
Telephone #
LWF District
1,
2,
4,
6,
7
8
(Circle applicable district #)
Occupation
Educational Background:
Other Professional Experience:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Memberships or Offices Held in Other Organizations:
Particular Interest or Past Involvement in Conservation Issues (for example: wetlands restoration and
preservation, air/water quality, hunting/fishing regulations and wildlife law enforcement, endangered
species, wildlife habitat management, conservation education, outdoor recreation, etc.):
Brief statement of why you would like to be a director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and what you
hope to see the Federation accomplish during your tenure as director:
*
*
*
*
*
(* This resume outline is merely a suggestion. A candidate may submit his/her nomination with
whatever personal information he/she feels to be pertinent and useful to fellow members in choosing their
preferred candidates. Additional pages or space may be used.)
CONSERVATION
Report Wildlife Violations on the Web
Operation Game Thief now has an
online form to make it easier to report a violation to the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division (LDWF). The form can be found
on the LDWF’s web site at:
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov by highlighting “Public Services” from the top menu
and then highlighting “Enforcement” and
then by finally clicking the “Operation
Game Thief ” link. On the Operation
Game Thief page, scroll to the bottom and
answer the questions on the form, then click
“submit.” LDWF agents will follow up on
the report. Operation Game Thief is a nonprofit corporation organized by sportsmen
in cooperation with LDWF in 1984. It is
funded largely by donations from sportsmen’s organizations. Sportsmen also direct
the operation of the program by volunteering to serve on the OGT board of directors
which meets quarterly to review law violation cases resulting from information provided by program participants. If the information provided by Operation Game Thief
results in an arrest, the informant is eligible
for a cash reward. The amount is determined by Operation Game Thief board
members and is based on a scale of a $100
minimum for small game, $300 minimum
for big game or illegal selling of game or fish
and a maximum of $1,000 for large-scale
cases. Information provided by Operation
Game Thief informants has led to the
apprehension of more than 700 violators.
More than $175,000 in rewards has been
dispensed to informants since the program
started.
••••••••••••
Jennings Man Caught with 44 Teal
LDWF enforcement officers cited
Thomas E Harelson, 50, of Jennings in
Cameron Parish on Sept. 25 for taking and
possessing over the daily limit of teal.
Agents were working the Grand Lake marsh
conducting surveillance on duck blinds and
heard frequent gunshots in the area
Harelson was hunting. Agents located the
pond and duck blind Harelson was hunting
in and discovered 44 freshly killed bluewinged teal in the blind and pond. The
daily limit for teal is four per person. The
teal were seized and donated to charity.
LINE
Violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
are punishable by fines up to $5,000, jail
time up to six months, or both. The case
will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s
Office. Officers participating in the case
were Sgt. Aaron Monceaux and Agent
Derek Logan.
••••••••••••
Turkey Federation Boosts Hunter
Education Program
The National Wild Turkey Federation
and its Louisiana state chapter was recognized at the October meeting of the
Louisiana
Wildlife
and
Fisheries
Commission for donations valued at
$25,200 to the LDWF Hunter Education
Program. The donations, presented by
NWTF State Chapter President Mike
Rainwater and Vice President Glenn
Thomas, were accepted by LDWF Hunter
Education Coordinator John Sturgis. One
donation for $19,000 provides for the purchase of equipment for the National
Archery in the School Program that LDWF
is introducing around the state. Eight
NASP kits have been purchased for LDWF
use. The instructional equipment will be
stationed at LDWF hunter education offices
and used to train school teachers to become
archery instructors within their schools. An
additional donation of $6,200 will provide
for a mobile air rifle trailer to facilitate live
fire training. The trailer can be transported
as needed to allow hunter education students to complete their course work when a
shooting range is not available near the
course classroom.
••••••••••••
Bear Killed in Avoyelles; Reward Offered
Louisiana Operation Game Thief
(LOGT), the Black Bear Conservation
Committee (BBCC) and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service are offering up to $7,000 in
rewards for information leading to the
apprehension of a violator that killed a
Louisiana black bear near Muscle Lake in
Avoyelles Parish. The dead bear was discovered on Sept. 1 on the School Board Tract.
It was a female bear that was a part of the
ongoing black bear relocation project. She
was moved in 2005 from Madison Parish to
Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area
with four of her cubs. This bear has been
tracked extensively up until her death. Her
radio collar sent off an inactive signal upon
her death, and Louisiana Department of
Wildlife Fisheries (LDWF) Biologist
Manager Maria Davidson and LDWF
Biologist Supervisor Jonathan Bordelon followed the signal to her body. The Louisiana
black bear is on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service list of endangered species in
Louisiana and is protected by state and federal regulations. Anyone with information
in the case may place an anonymous call to
the LOGT toll-free 24-hour hotline at 1800-442-2511 or Capt. Peter Oliver at the
LDWF Region 3 Enforcement office at
318-487-5634, Monday through Friday
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
LDWF Enforcement agents collected evidence at the scene and are investigating the
case.
••••••••••••
Janice Lansing Takes Helm at LDWF
Governor Kathleen Blanco has
appointed Janice Lansing to assume interim
leadership of the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries. Lansing will have
authority over the department in her current role as Undersecretary where she oversees the office of management and finance.
She is taking over from Dwight Landreneau
who resigned as LDWF head to accept the
position of assistant vice-chancellor at the
LSU AgCenter. As the Undersecretary and
administrator of the office of management
and finance, Lansing has been responsible
for accounting and budget management,
information processing systems, procurement, general administrative, and public
information services. Lansing is a graduate
of Southeastern Louisiana University where
she earned a bachelor of arts in criminal justice and Louisiana State University where
she holds a master’s degree in public administration. A permanent secretary for the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries is expected to be announced later
in the year.
••••••••••••
Father and Son Busted for Over-bagging
Mourning Doves in Madison Parish
LDWF Enforcement officers cited Joe
M. Senn, 53, of Rayville, and his son,
Phillip Brad Senn, 31, of Bastrop on Sept.
2, the opening day of dove season, near
CONSERVATION
Waverly, La. for taking and possessing over
the daily limit of mourning doves and failure to maintain field possession of mourning doves. Agents watched the men hide an
ice chest in an old duck blind near the field
they were hunting. The agents later discovered 60 freshly killed mourning doves in the
ice chest. Both men then returned to the
field and each took 12 more doves, which
gave them a total of 84 birds. The daily
limit for mourning doves is 12 per person.
Violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
are punishable by fines up to $5,000, jail for
up to six months, or both. The case will be
prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
••••••••••••
Spring Squirrel Season Proposed
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission has adopted a Notice of Intent
to set a spring squirrel hunting season for
2007 and 2008. The dates proposed by the
commission are from May 5 to 27 in 2007
and from May 3 to 25 in 2008. Squirrel
hunting would be closed in the Kisatchie
National Forest, on National Wildlife
Refuges, select Wildlife Management Areas
(WMA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
property. Those Wildlife Management
Areas proposed to be open are Bodcau,
Boeuf, Clear Creek, Little River, Maurepas
Swamp (East Tract), Russell Sage and
Sherburne WMAs. The season on these
WMAs will be from May 5 to 13 in 2007
and May 3 to 11 in 2008. Dogs are allowed
during these WMA seasons for squirrel
hunting. Feral hogs may not be taken on
these WMAs during these squirrel season
dates. The daily bag limit for the proposed
spring squirrel season is three with a possession limit of 6. Public comment may be
submitted
to
David
Moreland,
Administrator, Wildlife Division, Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O.
Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000,
prior to Nov. 2, 2006.
••••••••••••
Louisiana Q. D. M. A Supports
Hunter Ed Program
The LDWF Hunter Education
Program received a $2,200 donation from
the Louisiana Chapter of the Quality Deer
Management Association at the August 3rd
meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries Commission. The funds will be
used to purchase 26 tree stands for use dur-
LINE
ing Hunter Education classes statewide to
help teach hunters the proper and safe way
to use a tree stand. LDWF’s Hunter
Education Program Manager John Sturgis
accepted the donation on behalf of the
Department. QDMA representatives Bill
Shockey and Dayton McCann said that half
the funds came from their statewide organization and the other half came from their
Alexandria Chapter. The stands, which
QDMA purchased directly from Hunters
View, Ltd., include climbing, fixed position
and ladder stands for each of the eight
hunter education offices in the state, and
two tri-pod stands that will be put at
LDWF’s two education centers.
••••••••••••
Baton Rouge Man Cited For Vandalizing
Sherburne WMA Shooting Range
On Aug. 26, 2006, LDWF enforcement officers cited Austin B. Patureau, 17,
of Baton Rouge, for criminal damage to
state property after he allegedly vandalized
LWF ANNOUNCES 43rd CONSERVATION
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM
persons employed in renewable natural
resource management or recreation fields
including biologists, enforcement officers,
wildlife managers, administrators, scientists, researchers, etc.)
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is
now accepting nominations for the 43rd
annual
Governor’s
Conservation
Achievement Awards. The awards program
seeks to recognize those individuals, organizations and businesses that have made a significant and outstanding contribution
toward the protection and wise use of the
state’s natural resources, its air, soil and
minerals, its forests, waters and wildlife.
There are 8 award categories for which
nominations can be made. The deadline
for submitting nominations is February 6,
2007. Self nominations are welcome.
Nominees are encouraged to cooperate in
providing adequate background information in support of their nomination. We
urge you to bring your accomplishments,
or those of others, to the public’s attention
through this program.
Awards will be presented at a special
Saturday evening recognition banquet to be
held in conjunction with the Louisiana
Wildlife Federation’s 68th annual convention, March 3, 2007, at the Holiday Inn in
Gonzales, Louisiana.
A description of the award categories,
rules, procedures and other details of the
program follows.
2 - VOLUNTEER
For outstanding accomplishment during the year in the management, enhancement, or protection of Louisiana’s fish,
wildlife, air, water, soil or forest resources or
related recreational opportunities by a person acting in a volunteer capacity.
3 - YOUTH
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Govenor
With the knowledge and understanding
that conservation, wise management and use
of our State’s natural resources is essential to
the health, happiness, welfare and economic
well-being of Louisiana’s citizens; and with
the belief that proper recognition of conservation efforts promotes wise resource management and use,
I, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Governor
of Louisiana, do hereby endorse the concept of
the
Governor’s
State
Conservation
Achievement Awards Program as conducted
annually under the auspices of the Louisiana
Wildlife Federation.
Award Categories
Nominations will be accepted for the
following categories. Winners may not be
named in every category. Recognition will
be based primarily on accomplishments
during 2006. Immediate past winners are
not eligible to succeed themselves in the
same category of accomplishment for
which they were recognized the previous
year.
1 - PROFESSIONAL
For outstanding accomplishments durPage 16 Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Fall 2006
For outstanding conservation effort by
a youngster (18 years of age or younger).
Youth groups are also eligible in this category. The winner should have demonstrated leadership and accomplishment in any
phase of conservation.
4 - BUSINESS/CORPORATE
For outstanding achievement by a
business in pollution control, habitat conservation/restoration, donating lands for
wildlife conservation and public recreation,
etc. (This category is to honor a company,
not an individual person. It covers a wide
variety of possible achievements. Submit
an entry and let the judges consider the
nomination.)
5 - EDUCATOR
ing the year by a person who, in a professional capacity, has made a significant contribution to the management, enhancement, or protection of Louisiana’s fish,
wildlife, air, water, soil or forest resources,
or related recreational opportunities. (For
the purpose of this category, a professional
is a person who receives compensation for
the work that has resulted in the accomplishments for which s/he has been nominated. This includes, but is not limited to,
For outstanding performance in conservation education by a professional or
volunteer. Instructors of hunter safety and
outdoor ethics are eligible in this category
as are teachers of the natural sciences, fish
and wildlife management, environmental
design and management, various aspects of
environmental education, etc. Emphasis
should be on teaching and working with
students or the public rather than on
research or administration.
6 - ELECTED OFFICIAL
For outstanding conservation achievement by an elected official. All Louisiana
elected officials are eligible in this category.
7 - COMMUNICATIONS
For outstanding work by a writer,
reporter, radio or TV broadcaster, photographer, artist, cartoonist, radio or TV station, or newspaper or other publication in
creating a public awareness of the importance of environmental quality and natural
resource conservation or making a significant contribution toward the solution of a
major conservation problem in the state.
8 - ORGANIZATION
For outstanding conservation effort
by a state or local organization. Bona fide
organizations including but not limited to
civic
organizations,
environmental
groups, sportsmen’s clubs, garden clubs,
etc. are eligible. Nominees should have
taken action and developed programs to
address significant natural resource management and environmental quality challenges. In special cases where state, federal or local agencies or institutions have
accomplished extraordinary work above
and beyond their normal responsibilities,
such organizations will be given consider-
GOVERNOR’S AWARD
For the outstanding overall conservation achievement.
The Governor?s
Award recipient is selected by the
judging committee from among the
category winners. Nominations are not
accepted for this award.
ation for this award.
Program Rules and Procedures
1.) Winners may not be named in
every category. Recognition will be based
primarily on accomplishments during
2006. Prior records may be considered,
but this will be left up to the judges.
Immediate past winners are not eligible to
succeed themselves in the same category
of accomplishment for which they were
recognized the previous year.
2. Nominations must be hand-delivered or sent by mail or other delivery service (return receipt requested) to the
Louisiana Wildlife Federation at the
address on the nomination form. They
must be postmarked on or before midnight February 6th.
The resume’ should be a narrative
description of the nominee’s accomplishments and include an explanation of their
significance or impact, that is, why the
nominee’s accomplishments are important
and worthy of recognition. The resume’
should not exceed 3 single-spaced typed
pages. Information such as past recognition, organization memberships, etc. may
be
appended
to
the
resume’.
Documentation of accomplishments such
as newspaper clippings, correspondences,
etc. should be included as a supplement
to the resume’. If a nomination is submitted for more than one category, a separate nomination form and complete
resume? must be submitted for each category entered. If available, please include
a photograph of the nominee with the
nomination or mailto:[email protected].
4. Nominations which do not meet
all standards and criteria will be returned
to sender to be resubmitted with appropriate additions/modifications. Program
judges may declare any nomination ineligible if proper documentation and supportive materials are not included. The
decision of the judging committees will
be final.
3. Attach the Nomination Form to
the nominee’s resume’ of achievements.
NOMINATION FORM
Date:
Full Name of Nominee:
Category #:
Address:
Recommended By:
Address:
Phone:
Email address
Signed By
Title (if any):
Reply to: LWF • P.O. Box 65239 Audubon Station • Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239
337 South Acadian Thruway • Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Extent of Mercury Pollution More
Widespread, Report Shows
Wildlife Ranging from Eagles and
Warblers to Turtles and Bullfrogs at Risk
Mercury pollution is making its way
into nearly every habitat in the U.S.,
exposing countless species of wildlife to
potentially harmful levels of mercury,
according to a new report from the
National Wildlife Federation (NWF).
Poisoning Wildlife: The Reality of
Mercury Pollution is a compilation of over
65 published studies finding elevated levels
of mercury in a wide range of wildlife
species. The report highlights mercury levels in fish, mammals, birds, reptiles and
amphibians living in freshwater, marine,
and forest habitats from across the country.
“The NWF report presents an alarming account of mercury contamination in
Louisiana and nationally,” said Randy
Lanctot with the Louisiana Wildlife
Federation (LWF). “From songbirds and
shorebirds to black bass and bullfrogs,
mercury is accumulating in nearly every
strand of the food web.”
The accumulation of mercury in fish
has been well-understood for years, leading
Louisiana and 45 other states in the U.S. to
issue consumption advisories warning people to limit or avoid eating certain species
of fish. However, scientists have recently
discovered that mercury accumulates in
forest soils, indicating that wildlife that live
and feed outside of aquatic habitats are also
at risk of exposure to mercury.
“Scientific understanding of the extent
of mercury contamination in wildlife has
expanded significantly in recent years,”
says Dr. David Evers of the Biodiversity
Research Institute, wildlife toxicologist
and leading researcher in this field. “We
are finding mercury accumulation in far
more species, and at much higher levels,
than we previously thought was occurring.
This poses a very real threat to the health
of many wildlife populations, some of
which are highly endangered.”
Mercury accumulation in fish is not
only a concern of the fish-consuming public, it also poses a threat to the fish themselves. Poisoning Wildlife assembles findings from over 20 published studies that
have identified adverse health conditions
and/or behavior abnormalities of fish,
birds, and mammals with elevated mercury
levels, e. g., fish with high mercury levels
have difficulty schooling and spawning,
birds lay fewer eggs and have trouble caring
for their chicks, and mammals have
impaired motor skills that affect their ability to hunt and find food.
Several states have already taken
action to reduce mercury pollution from
major sources like waste incinerators, chlorine manufacturers, power plants, and consumer products, and the results are very
promising. In places where mercury emissions have been cut, such as Florida,
Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and
Massachusetts, mercury levels in fish and
wildlife downwind have been reduced in a
matter of years, not decades, as scientists
have previously thought.
In Louisiana, the state Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ), in cooperation with the Departments of Health and
Hospitals and Wildlife and Fisheries has
had a mercury monitoring program in
place for many years, posting fish advisories currently in affect on 42 individual
or complexes of waterbodies that essentially includes every region of the state.
Information on Louisiana’s mercury program is available on the DEQ website at
http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/Defa
ult.aspx?tabid=287
New legislation adopted in 2006 (Act
126, the Louisiana Mercury Risk
Reduction Act) authorizes DEQ to establish programs to reduce, recycle and manage mercury waste and encourage the use
of alternatives to mercury in the manufacture of products, including a prohibition
on sale of some mercury-containing products, labeling of products with mercury
content, disclosure of mercury content by
the seller of such products, prohibition on
discharges of mercury to water or wastewater except when done in compliance
with water pollution control requirements,
prohibition on crushing motor vehicles
and shredding appliances without removing or verifying the removal of mercurycontaining products, and a public mercury-reduction education and outreach
program among other provisions of the act.
It does not address the use of mercury in
dental fillings, or emissions from coal-fired
power plants, acknowledged to be the single greatest source nationally of mercury
contamination in the environment.
The greatest source of mercury in
Louisiana’s soil, water and fish and wildlife
is fallout from emissions of mercury into
the air from incineration, coal-fired power
generation and other combustion processes. Although much of this drifts in on air
currents from other states and even
Mexico, four power plants in Louisiana are
significant sources of mercury emissions Big Cajun 2 (Pointe Coupee), Dolet Hills
(DeSoto), Nelson Coal (Calcasieu) and
Rodemacher (Rapides). Federal Clean Air
Act regulations will ratchet down mercury
emissions by the year 2020, but it is predicted that Louisiana plants will have to
purchase mercury reduction credits from
plants in other states under the “cap and
trade” provisions of the federal mercury
rule in order to be in compliance since
anticipated emission reduction technology
applications here will not allow standards
to be met at the plant sites. That could
change based on new rules, cost factors
and/or the emergence of more thrifty and
effective technology, but in the meantime
wildlife continues to be exposed.
Poisoning Wildlife: The Reality of
Mercury Pollution is available at
http://www.nwf.org/news
Elmer’s Island: Continued from page 4
awaited return to Elmer’s Island,” said
Lanctot. “We are calling on sportsmen and
conservationists, Elmer’s Island advocates
from throughout the state, to contact 3rd
District Congressman Charlie Melancon, as
well as Senators Landrieu and Vitter and
urge them to keep Elmer’s Island “CELCP”
funding in the Commerce Appropriations
Bill.” Lanctot explained that Elmer’s Island
is located in Congressman Melancon’s district and he will have the most influence in
convincing House members to support the
funding. He advised however that, as a
courtesy and for additional clout, correspondence to Congressman Melancon should be
copied to each writer’s congressional representative, if other than Melancon.
Lanctot said that in addition to securing
the federal funds the state must be ready to
promptly provide its match so that the
acquisition can move forward without delay.
“We urge Governor Blanco’s administration to plan for the acquisition and management of Elmer’s Island as it develops the
state’s appropriations and capital outlay
requests for the upcoming regular session of
the Louisiana Legislature,” he said. “That
will expedite the ultimate goal of reopening
Elmer’s Island to the public, perhaps before
the end of next year.”
Contact information for Louisiana’s US
Senators and Representatives and Governor
Blanco is listed below. Messages should be
sent electronically via email or FAX, by
phone or personal contact. Paper mail has
become unreliable since 9/11.
The Honorable Mary Landrieu
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202/224-5824
Fax: 202/224-9735
Website: http://landrieu.senate.gov
The Honorable David Vitter
United States Senate
Phone: 202/224-4623
Fax: 202/228-2577
Website: http://vitter.senate.gov
The Honorable Charlie Melancon
U.S. House of Representatives
Phone: 202/225-4031
Fax: 202/226-3944
Website:http://www.house.gov/melancon
The Honorable Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Governor of Louisiana
P. O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004
Phone: 225/342-0991
Fax: 225/342-7099
Website: http://www.louisiana.gov
The Honorable Bobby Jindal
Phone: 202/225-3015
Fax: 202/226-0386
Mailto: [email protected]
The Honorable William Jefferson
Phone: 202/225-6636
Fax: 202/225-1988
The Honorable Jim McCrery
U. S. House of Representatives
Phone: 202/225-2777
Fax: 202/225-8039
The Honorable Rodney Alexander
Phone: 202/225-8490
Fax: 202/225-5639
Website:http://www.house.gov/alexander
The Honorable Richard H. Baker
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202/225-3901
Fax: 202/225-7313
Website:http://www.baker.kouse.gov
The Honorable Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
Phone: 202/225-2031
Fax: 202/225-5724
Website:http://www.house.gov/boustany
Orchid Restoration: Continued from page 7
KNF’s forest botanist, and described his
vision of orchid restoration. Nilles was
interested, and set out to secure the
resources needed to undertake the restoration. Nilles sought out the help of the
Central Louisiana Orchid Society
(CLOS), a group of local orchid growers
based in Alexandria. His goal was to see if
they would be interested in “growing-out”
the seedlings if they could be purchased.
Growing out the seedlings would require
sophisticated greenhouse facilities and
expert care for up to 18 months. Nilles
pitched his idea during a presentation at
the January 2006 monthly CLOS meeting.
The Central Louisiana Orchid Society
Although CLOS members usually
work with horticultural orchids of exotic
origins, CLOS enthusiastically agreed to
participate in the yellow lady slipper project, committing expertise and facilities
worth over $10,000. But that was not all.
Byron McGraw, CLOS founder, was aware
of a funding source from a regional orchid
organization: the Southwest Regional
Orchid Growers Association (SWROGA).
Providentially, this new grant challenged
local orchid societies to involve themselves
in native orchid conservation projects.
Nilles, Byron and Jim Barnett (a CLOS
member and retired USFS-Southern
Research Station director) wrote a grant
proposal and submitted it to SWROGA
on February 22, 2006. The response was
positive: CLOS was awarded the first ever
SWROGA grant in the amount of
$1390.00 — enough to buy 200 CYKE
seedlings. The final piece of the puzzle
had fallen into place.
Nilles took the shipment of seedlings
from Sprangle Labs on May 19th, and distributed them among 4 CLOS growers
and Kevin Allen (who is still involved with
the project). Results thus far are better
than anticipated. Over 95% of the
seedlings have successfully established
themselves and already grown to over 3” in
height. The final step will occur 18
months from now, when yellow lady slipper orchids are returned to the USFS lands
where they have grown for thousands of
years.
From the President: Continued from page 3
cial stability is also due to the fact that we
operate a very thrifty office on a modest budget. I would like to personally thank the
donors who responded to our mid-year
appeal, it was very successful. I have included a listing of those contributors, as well as
new LWF members following this column. I
would also like to thank the LWF members
who loyally renew their memberships, especially those who have been impacted by the
hurricanes of last year. We extended memberships of those in the areas impacted by the
hurricanes and did not solicit renewals until
recently, even then offering to extend membership to those who may be in dire straits. I
was overwhelmed by the response from the
hurricane stricken areas. It was one of our
most successful renewal campaigns. I know
that these areas have a long way to go in recovering from the storm and one year later many
folks are still dealing with the storms impacts
both physically and emotionally. My heart
goes out to them and also my thanks for your
support of LWF.
I visited the delta south of New Orleans
last fall and saw first hand the devastation of
hurricane Katrina. In more recent trips there
I see that the cleanup continues and rebuilding
is starting to take place, but the destruction
caused by the storm is still very much evident
and still cripples these communities. A full
recovery in this area will take years. Maybe
now we can get some serious consideration
from our nation and our leaders on the consequences of coastal erosion in Louisiana and
the need to restore our barrier islands and
coastal marshes, not just to enhance our
wildlife and fisheries resources but to protect
our cities, communities and ports that provide
the infrastructure for oil and gas exploration
and production in the Gulf of Mexico.
One of the Louisiana Wildlife
Federation’s very important functions is to recognize those who have made significant and
outstanding contributions toward the protection and wise use of the state’s natural
resources - its air, soil and minerals, its forests,
waters and wildlife. LWF’s Governor’s
Conservation Achievement Awards program is
in its fourth decade of honoring the outstanding conservationists of the state. There are 8
award categories for which nominations can
be made. Self nominations are completely
acceptable. I urge you to bring your accomplishments, or those of others, to the public’s
attention through this program. Awards will
be presented at a special Saturday evening
recognition banquet to be held in conjunction
with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s annual convention, March 3, 2007, at the Holiday
Inn in Gonzales, Louisiana. You can view
more details on the LWF website: www.lawildlifefed.org. Additional details and a nomination form are also included here on page17.
This fall LWF will conduct our District
At-large Director elections in Districts 1, 2, 4,
6, 7, and 8. Nominations are being solicited
for the November election for the 2007-08
term. Our At-large Directors represent their
fellow LWF members on the Federation Board
of Directors and add significantly to the capacity of our organization by staying abreast of
issues in their districts and bringing that
knowledge as well as their talents and skills to
the LWF. A more detailed explanation of this
opportunity and a sample nomination form is
on page 13.
In addition to the role of District At-large
Directors, LWF has a governance structure
based on the membership and participation of
affiliate organizations. For various reasons,
but mostly related to social and economic
demands of modern society on the amount of
time a person has to devote to participating in
a local conservation organization, many of the
traditional community-based sportsmen’s and
conservation organizations have diminished.
To maintain the tradition and strength of affiliate community-based governance, the
Louisiana Wildlife Federation is eager to
recruit and even assist in the establishment or
re-establishment of such organizations. That
includes organizations like fishing and hunting clubs, birding groups, garden and plant
societies, agriculture and forestry associations,
educational societies - any organization that is
committed to conservation, wise use and
proper management of natural resources as
part of its mission. If you belong to such a
group, or are aware of any club or organization
in your area that may be interested in affiliating with the LWF, please contact me or Randy
Lanctot our executive director. Please also
consider referring your friends and business
associates for invitation to join LWF. To facilitate that, your membership renewal has a
referral form included with it that you can fill
in and return with your dues payment.
Part of maintaining and building the
capacity of any organization is the functioning
of committees. As might be expected for a
large volunteer organization with a great heritage, LWF has plenty of opportunities for
helping through service on committees. LWF
has several active committees dealing with a
variety of resource issues. A list of committees
and brief description of their work is included
here. Please let us hear from you if you would
like more information on how you can serve
LWF and its conservation mission by participating on a committee.
Until next time, get out and enjoy our
state’s natural resources. Bring a kid along.
You’ll make memories for them that will last a
lifetime. Please remember that LWF is working everyday to conserve those natural
resources.
Yours in conservation,
Terry L. Melancon
President
LOUISIANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION
COMMITTEES
Standing Committees
established/required by the LWF By-Laws
Nominating Committee: Chair is LWF
President and members are the District VicePresidents. Purpose is to solicit and make
nominations for the executive offices of the
LWF (President, 1st VP, 2nd VP, Secretary,
Treasurer)
Statewide Membership: LWF 1st VP is
Chairman and District Vice-Presidents are
members. Purpose of the committee is to
identify and recruit organizations to affiliate
with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and to
serve as LWF’s liaison with affiliated organizations to maintain their vigor and success.
Goal is to have at least one active, vigorous
affiliate in each LWF District.
State Legislation: LWF 2nd VP and
Executive Director are Co-chairs. Purpose of
the committee is to monitor legislation related
to LWF’s interests (natural resource conservation and management; environmental quality;
outdoor recreation, etc.) during the sessions of
the Louisiana Legislature and advises the LWF
Executive Committee and Board of Directors
on appropriate action to be taken, including
organizing lobbying efforts as appropriate.
National Affairs: LWF Secretary is Chair,
assisted by the LWF Representative to the
National Wildlife Federation. Purpose of the
committee is to monitor and advise on national conservation issues and serve as liaison with
the NWF.
Finance: Chair is LWF Treasurer.
Purpose of the committee is to monitor the
finances of the LWF, report on the status of
such including recommending fund-rais-
ing/membership development strategies,
reviewing LWF expenditures and making recommendations for potential savings, examine
LWF’s accounting and financial records and
procedures, etc.
Conservation Education: Chair-Vacant.
Purpose of the committee is to develop and
implement ideas that will enhance the understanding of the importance of natural resource
conservation. Past activities have been the distribution of National Wildlife Week materials,
organizing exhibits at events such as Baton
Rouge Earth Day and National Hunting and
Fishing Day and expanding the LWF’s participation
in
such
opportunities;
promotion/development of educational outreach programs such as the National Wildlife
Federation’s Backyard and Schoolyard Wildlife
Habitat Programs.
Environmental Quality: Chair-Vacant.
Purpose of the committee is to investigate and
inform concerning sources of pollution and
make recommendations concerning pollution
abatement.
Charter & By-Laws: Chair-Vacant.
Purpose of the committee is to review proposed changes to the LWF Charter & ByLaws to ensure consistency with existing provisions and to familiarize LWF leaders with
provisions of the Charter & By-Laws.
Committees Established by the LWF
President - Organizational Committees
Conservation Awards: Chairman-Joe
Herring. Purpose of the committee is to
review all aspects of the LWF’s annual conservation awards program and make/implement
recommendations for improvement, including solicitation of nominees, judging and
awards banquet protocol and presentations.
Also makes recommendations to the LWF
Board of Directors regarding recognitions the
LWF should make for good conservation work
outside of the conservation awards program.
LWF Annual Convention: Purpose is to
serve as the steering committee in planning all
facets of the LWF’s annual meeting in coordination with the executive director and the
convention host affiliate.
Convention
Policy
Resolutions
Development and Review: Purpose is to develop concepts for prospective resolutions to be
submitted for consideration at the LWF’s
annual convention and to review and advise
on resolutions submitted by affiliates and
directors prior to the convention.
Development and Fundraising: Purpose
is to develop and implement ideas to grow the
LWF’s membership and financial resources.
Hospitality/Networking: Purpose is to
enhance opportunities for social interaction
among LWF members to promote an understanding of and support for LWF and its work;
ensures that all LWF members and guests at
the LWF Annual Convention, board meetings
and other LWF-sponsored functions feel welcome and encouraged to participate.
State Duck & Goose Calling Contest:
Purpose is to coordinate LWF’s role in conducting the annual State Duck & Goose
Calling Contest.
Committees Established by the LWF
President - Issue/Policy Committees
Deer Management: The Chairman is
Barney Callahan. Members include Ken
Dancak, Ray Bordelon, Jerry Haas, J. C.
Ashford, Jim Marsh, Russell Lantier, Dick
Myers, Vance Gordon. Purpose of the
Committee is to monitor deer management
and hunting issues and make recommendations to LWF pertaining thereto.
Fisheries Policy and Management: ChairKeith Saucier. Members include Mark Becker,
Bill Herke, Jerald Horst, Smitty Smith, Clint
Mouser, Robert Taylor, Dan Touchet, Paul
Whitehead. Purpose of the committee is to
review various proposals concerning fish and
fishing that are pertinent to the interests of the
LWF membership and develop recommendations for the consideration of the LWF Board
of Directors.
Coastal Protection & Restoration: ChairJimmy Johnston. Purpose is to monitor
coastal restoration issues and efforts and advise
LWF on appropriate action to take to encourage effective strategies to restore, conserve and
enhance coastal habitats.
Atchafalaya Basin: Purpose is to monitor
issues and efforts associated with the conservation, management and preservation of the
Atchafalaya Basin and advise LWF on appropriate action to take to encourage implementation of effective strategies to restore, conserve
and enhance the
Basin.
Waterfowl: Chair is David Boudreaux.
Purpose of the committee is to serve as liaison
with the Louisiana Waterfowl Alliance and to
recommend and promote strategies to preserve Louisiana’s waterfowling heritage.
••••••••••••
Recent New Members and
Mid-Year Appeal Donors
New Members ($100 and up)
CCI Pipeline Systems, Breaux Bridge
Matthew Doolittle, New Orleans
New Members ($50 to $99)
C. R. Dunbar, Denham Springs
- Urethane Technologies, Inc.
New Members (to $49)
Joseph C. Arnold, Dry Prong
Anthony Boone, Baton Rouge
- Kean Miller
Kenneth E. Bordelon, Rayne
Natalie Brassard, Baton Rouge
Lindsay Coldiron, Jonesville
Jack Cornett, Monroe
Carl H. Degel, Metairie
Patrick Huff, Jr., Baton Rouge
Justin Martin, Moreauville
Chuck Moore, Monroe
Raymond Self, West Monroe
- Shield Pack, Inc.
Ashley L. Smith, Ruston
Mid-Year Appeal Donors
Chaplain James F. Adams, Pineville
Lonnie H. Albert, Thibodaux
Kent Anderson, Monroe
- McGowan Brake Club, Inc.
Pearl Arceneaux, Lafayette
Wesley & Patti Ardoin, Lafayette
Johnny & Karen Armstrong, Ruston
Walter Asseff, MD, Shreveport
Lindsey J. Aucoin, Eunice
Baker Machine Co., Inc., Shreveport
Dr. Alfred Bessell, Beaumont, TX
Donald J. Bishop, Jr., Jeanerette
William D. Blake, Lake Charles
- The Lacassane Company, Inc.
Keith M. Bourgeois, Ponchatoula
Scott Brame, Alexandria
Carl J. Breaux, DDS, Lafayette
Wood A. Breazeale, Jr., Lafayette
- Vince Wood Company
Charles C. Broussard, Sulphur
Bahia Brown, Lake Providence
James G. Brown, Marietta, GA
- Brown Construction Corp.
Joan H. Brown, Monroe
Leonard L. Brown, Slidell
- Cut-Rite, Inc.
Thompson J. Brown, Jr., Gonzales
Albert A. Bullock, Jr., MD, Shreveport
Joseph Tom Butler, Jr., Thibodaux
Sidney S. Callahan, Houma
Thomas Campanella, MD, Baton Rouge
W. F. Carnal, Jr., Lecompte
Paul A. Carroll, Baker
Ken P. Carstens, Woodworth
David E. Carter, Natalbany
Dr. Robert H. Chabreck, Baton Rouge
Louis Chaisson, Morgan City
John H. Chidlow, MD, Shreveport
Francis Clack, Rayville
Darryl Clark, Lafayette
CLECO Corporation, Pineville
Aaron L. Cluse, Branch
John B. Coast, Baton Rouge
- Coast Machinery, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Dudley W. Coates, Baton Rouge
J. W. Cocreham, Baton Rouge
Phillip A. Coll, Marksville
William M. Comegys, III, Shreveport
Pierre E. Conner, Jr., Baton Rouge
James E. Cooper, Patterson
Sally Cooper, Metairie
Nathan A. Cormie, Lake Charles
George B. Courtney, Center Harbor, NH
Donald R. Cox, New Iberia
- Iberia Rental Services
Juanita L. Crawford, Oakdale
Richard B. Crowell, Alexandria
- The Coastal Club, Inc.
Kermit C. Cummings, Huntsville, TX
Hon. William B. Daniel, IV,
Baton Rouge
Rex & Miriam Davey, Baton Rouge
Paul M. Davis, Jr., MD, Alexandria
Felix A. DeJean, III, Opelousas
- Attorney at Law
Percy R. Derouen, Lake Charles
Chester J. Diez, Jr., Gonzales
James W. Dimmick, Lake Charles
Stephen Dinino, Jr., Donaldsonville
Wayne F. Dugas, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
J. Preston Duhe, New Iberia
Daniel Edgar, Franklin
- St. Mary Seafood, Inc.
Mrs. Gaston M. England, Baton Rouge
ENT Medical Center, Baton Rouge
David B. Fontenot, Anacoco
Harold Fontenot, Opelousas
- St. Landry Homestead
Richard G. Fontenot, Youngsville
- Rossclaire Construction, Inc.
Wendell Foret, Cut Off
Larry Franklin, Jr., Shreveport
Nick & Elaine Fry, Schriever
Bobby G. Fulmer, MD, New Roads
Anna Jane B. Gaiennie, Lafayette
Carol Gautreau, Gonzales
S. P. Gibbens, Jr., Baton Rouge
- College Drive Mini-Storage
M. L. Godley, MD, Lecompte
John E. Gonce, Baton Rouge
William L. Goode, Lafayette
- The Goode Law Firm
Carroll J. Green, New Iberia
Ernest J. Gremillion, Larose
Gilbert B. Griffith, DVM, Prairieville
- Griffith Veterinary Clinic
Lane Grigsby, Baton Rouge
- Cajun Constructors
Aubrey Guidry, Scott
Jerome C. Haas, Jr., Sulphur
Fran V. Hagaman, MD, Shreveport
Jud Hale, Minden
Harry Hanks, Plaquemine
- Hanks Pontiac-GMC-Buick, Inc.
E. C. Hansen, Jr., MD, Thibodaux
Harry & Marie Hebert, Lafayette
I. Lawrence Hebert, Jennings
Cheryl S. Hedlund, Bueche
- H&M Veterinary Services
William H. Herke, PhD, Baton Rouge
Linda F. Hodgeson, Baton Rouge
Terrell & Sue Howes, Denham Springs
Mary & Frank Hughes, Shreveport
Jay V. Huner, PhD, Boyce
Earl L. Ittmann, Jr., Metairie
Wesley E. Jackson, Lake Charles
A. F. Jobe, MD, Shreveport
- Southside Children’s Clinic
Rene V. Joffrion, Thibodaux
Marian B. Jurisich, Eugene, OR
Richard Kater, Baton Rouge
- Richard’s Printing
Thomas K. Kirkpatrick, Baton Rouge
Godfrey Knight, Schriever
Vernon J. Krouse, Homer
Cliffe C. Laborde, Jr., MD, Lake Charles
Walter C. Laborde, Alexandria
Mrs. John P. Labouisse, Metairie
Loice K. Lacy, Magnolia, AR
Don L. Landry, II, Lafayette
- Don’s Seafood Hut
Whitney Langlois, Jr., Greenwell Springs
Edward H. Leatherman, MD, Shreveport
Dallas S. Lee, Natchitoches
Jim Lee, Baton Rouge
- Legiscon, Inc.
Jason Lee Legg, Shreveport
- Lagniappe Communications, LLC
Ron & Cindy Lewis, Lake Charles
Henry R. Liles, Lake Charles
Richard A. Lipsey, Baton Rouge
- Lipsey’s, Inc.
Palmer R. Long, Shreveport
M. W. Manny, Baton Rouge
Marvin Marmande, Houma
- M & L Industries, LLC
Jorge A. Martinez, MD, Metairie
Robert J. Martinson, Covington
Arvin C. May, Baton Rouge
Mrs. G. A. McCool, Sr., Gonzales
George W. McGrew, Jr., Bastrop
T. L. McNeely, MD, Crowley
Garrett Melliff, Destrehan
Leonce J. Millet, Jr., Gonzales
- Economy Brick Sales, Inc.
Robert L. Mimeles, MD, Metairie
Levere C. Montgomery, Jr., Covington
Suzanne M. Montgomery, Mandeville
Patrick C. Moore, Alexandria
- Landscape Architects
David S. Morton, Lake Charles
Dr. John C. Moser, Pineville
Clinton R. Mouser, Metairie
Anne G. Newton, Saint Francisville
Joseph D. Nicholas, Jr., Greenwell Springs
John O’Neal, Choudrant
Archie B. Osborn, MD, Elizabeth
Carl Rodney Ourso, Clinton
Gene Paillet, Opelousas
- Jeanine and Suzette, Inc.
George B. Parker, Ponchatoula
Brad A. Patrick, Galveston, TX
Marvin M. Patrick, Vinton
Gordon W. Peek, MD, Baton Rouge
Noel F. Pilie’, DDS, Metairie
Sal Piscitello, Baton Rouge
Elmer L. Poche, Jr., Charleston, SC
Ruby J. Porter, Pineville
Raymond G. Post, Jr., Baton Rouge
- Post Architects
Harris L. Pousson, Iowa
John Dale Powers, Baton Rouge
- Powers, Willard & Hightower, LLP
William S. Prescott, Baton Rouge
John W. Price, Jr., Alexandria
- Price Office Supply
John W. Pritchett, Baton Rouge
Brian W. Racca, Westlake
Gloria Rafferty, Kenner
Lynward F. Ransonet, New Iberia
- Regional Fabricators, Inc.
Paul J. Rhodes, Harvey
Dorothy K. Richardson, Shreveport
Kenneth L. Riche, APLC, Baton Rouge
Samuel Riggs, Orange, TX
Bill Robertson, Shreveport
Wilbur G. Robinson, Baton Rouge
Jack Ross, Lafayette
Free Discover Louisiana Hunting Program
Aims for New Hunters
Hunter Education Deferral
License also available
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries (LDWF) will again offer new
hunters the opportunity to participate during Discover Louisiana Hunting (DLH)
promotional hunting days set for
Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 24-26.
“We’re encouraging both Louisiana residents and non-residents, 16 years of age and
older, to experience recreational hunting for
the first time or enjoy the sport again with a
DLH permit,” said LDWF acting secretary
Janice Lansing.
Program participants must obtain a
DLH permit online through www.discoverlouisianahunting.com before Nov. 20. To
ensure a safe experience for DLH participants and fellow outdoorsmen, hunter education certification is required and participants must also partner with a licensed
Louisiana resident hunter who will serve as a
host hunter. DLH permit applicants can use
the on-line permit request system.
All interested participants who need to
obtain hunter education certification are
urged to sign up for a class in a location near
their home town. A list of courses around
the state is available on the DLH Web site
— www.discoverlouisianahunting.com. An
on-line version of the course is available
through the DLH Web site or a CD-ROM
version can be obtained by calling the
LDWF office nearest the participant.
Participants should have completed or be
enrolled in a hunter education class by Nov.
15. Hunter education courses are free and
certification obtained in another state will be
accepted.
New this year is a Hunter Education
Deferral License which is available to firsttime resident and nonresident hunters (who
have never before been a licensed hunter in
any state) who would otherwise be required
to have hunter safety education certification
in order to obtain a Louisiana hunting
license. It was approved this year by the
Louisiana Legislature with the intent to
remove deterrents to getting a-field for firsttime hunters. The cost of this license is $10
and allows a hunter to take all legal resident
game species, for 5 consecutive days from
date of issue for a nonresident, and for one
month from date of issue for a resident, provided the new hunter is accompanied by and
under the direct supervision of a person who
is 18 years of age or older who has a valid
hunting license or proof of certification
from a LDWF-approved hunter education
course.
During the Discover Louisiana
Hunting weekend, quail, rabbit, squirrel and
deer can be hunted by DLH-permitted
hunters. Waterfowl and other migratory
birds are not included. For daily bag and
possession limits, and deer zone restrictions,
refer to the 2006-07 Louisiana Hunting
Season and WMA Regulations Booklet or go
to www.discoverlouisianahunting.com and
click on “Regulations.”
The DLH permit offer is a once-in-alifetime opportunity. Once a participant
utilizes the no-cost weekend hunting option,
appropriate licenses and permits must be
obtained for all future hunting trips in
Louisiana.
Any interested participant without
Internet access can call any of the following
LDWF offices Monday through Friday,
from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for permit application assistance:
• Alexandria: 1995 Shreveport Hwy.,
Pineville, LA 71360; ph. 318-487-5885
• Baton Rouge: 2000 Quail Drive,
Baton Rouge, LA 70808; ph. 225-765-2346
• Ferriday: 261 Wildlife & Fishery Road,
Ferriday, LA 71334; ph. 318-757-4571
• Grand Chenier: 5476 Grand Chenier
Hwy., Grand Chenier, LA 70643; ph. 337538-2276
• Lake Charles: 1213 North Lakeshore Dr.,
Lake Charles, LA 70601; ph. 337-491-2575
• Minden: 1401 Talton Street, Minden,
LA 71055; ph. 318-371-3050
• Monroe: 368 Century Tel Drive,
Monroe, LA 71203; ph. 318-343-4044
• New Iberia: 2415 Darnall Road, New
Iberia, LA 70560; ph. 337-373-0032
• Opelousas: 5652 Highway 182,
Opelousas, LA 70570; ph. 337-948-0255
DLH Weekend supporting sponsors
and partners include: Academy Sports &
Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops/Bossier City,
Bayou State Bowhunters Association, Bowie
Outfitters, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks
Unlimited, Hunter’s Run Gun Club,
CONSERVATION
LINE
Conservation Line: Continued from page 15
the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area
(WMA) shooting range. Evidence suggested that a shotgun was used to cause severe
structural damage to the range. It was
determined that the damage had been done
on Aug. 22 in the evening and evidence at
the scene led to Patureau. LDWF provides
recreational shooting opportunities to the
public at a minimal cost through several
shooting ranges located across the state.
These ranges provide a safe environment for
those who wish to sharpen their shooting
skills or just enjoy the sport of recreational
target shooting. It is through the public’s
cooperation that these ranges are managed
and anyone witnessing acts of vandalism or
unsafe conduct are encouraged to contact
the nearest LDWF office. Criminal damage
to state property carries a fine of up to
$1,000, or imprisonment with or without
hard labor for up to two years or both.
••••••••••••
Tilyou Named Chief of LDWF
Inland Fisheries Division
Gary Tilyou has been promoted to
administrator of the Inland Fisheries
Division within the Office of Fisheries at
Fisheries (LDWF). An employee of the
department for 28 years, Tilyou most
recently served as the division’s assistant
administrator. Division responsibilities
include managing Louisiana’s freshwater
fish and habitat for the recreational and
commercial fishers, controlling nuisance
aquatic vegetation, and fish stocking programs for Louisiana’s public water bodies.
Current emphasis is on recovering the fisheries from the effects of last year’s hurricanes and extended drought in some areas
of the state. Tilyou, a graduate of Hahnville
High in St. Charles Parish, received his
bachelor degree in forestry and wildlife and
Master of Science degree in wildlife management (1979) from LSU. Tilyou replaces
Bennie Fontenot who retired after 40
years at LDWF.
Discover: Continued column left
Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation,
Louisiana Wildlife Federation, National
Wild Turkey Federation and Safari Club
International.
A Question of National Priorities
by Larry Schweiger
If Hurricane Katrina was the nation’s
wake up call to correct our penchant for
messing with Mother Nature, Congress
has been hitting the snooze button.
Hurricane Katrina was one of the
largest natural and human disasters in
our nation’s history. In the months that
followed, the country was further rocked
to learn that the levee failures of New
Orleans were the largest civil works disaster as well. Never before has a natural
Larry Schweiger is president and CEO of the National
Wildlife Federation, headquartered in Reston, Va.
disaster of this magnitude affected such a
large swath of American homeland,
painfully demonstrating the need to fundamentally change the way we deal with
our water resources. The agency responsible for the failure of New Orleans’ levees, the Army Corps of Engineers, has
operated without sufficient review of its
work for too long. It must be reformed.
In July the Senate set the marker for
what true reform should look like.
Independent review of Corps projects to
ensure we don’t have another New
Orleans-style disaster, an update of the
20-year old playbook that guides Corps
planning, and mitigation for environmental damage were all adopted by the
Senate as it passed its version of the
Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA).
Congress adjourned last month
before the House-Senate conference committee completed drafting the final legislation. When the conferees return after
the November elections, quick action will
be necessary or this long-awaited public
works authorization, which includes
major ecosystem restoration projects for
the Everglades and coastal Louisiana, will
languish until the next session of
Congress.
In July 2005, before Katrina, the
White House budget office wrote that the
fiscal burden of the Corps’ $58 billion
worth of backlogged projects “has grown
at an unmanageable rate.” The budget
office also argued for “independent peer
review of proposed projects.”
In the year since Katrina, Congress
has not enacted one single reform of
national water policy. Nothing. In that
time the Corps has acknowledged its own
flawed design and construction were
responsible for the New Orleans’ levee
failures. But Congress has done nothing.
Now, there is a chance to apply some
of Katrina’s lessons to how the Corps
operates in the future, but only if the
Senate reforms are included in the final
bill sent to the President.
Defeat of those reforms would be a
triumph of cynicism.
Enacting them will be a sign we’re
not consigning ourselves to repeating the
human mistakes that amplified Katrina’s
natural rage.ine:
President: Continued from page 22
Sidney D. Roy, Baton Rouge
Frank Sadler, Baton Rouge
Stephen B. Salter, Erwinville
Keith & Cindy Saucier, Gonzales
Charles E. Schwing, Baton Rouge
Tim Scully, Ponchatoula
Edward J. Searcy, Port Allen
Jeffrey J. Seiler, DDS, Alexandria
Murphy Sellers, Abbeville
Duke Shackelford, Bonita
Michael R. Sharp, Springfield
Curtis C. Sorrells, Kenner
Dr. A. John Tassin, Jr., Ville Platte
Bud Taulli, Marrero
- C. “Bud” Taulli Construction
Robert W. Taylor, Jr., Prairieville
Ronald Thibodeaux, Baton Rouge
- Thibodeaux Plumbing Co., Inc.
Rose M. Thibodaux, Lafayette
C. Cabell Tutwiler, New Iberia
Orchid Restoration: Continued from page 19
Time will tell if, working together, a
student, a local orchid society, and the
U.S. Forest Service, can restore a spectacular part of Louisiana’s natural heritage.
Citations:
Kisatchie National Forest Sensitive
and Conservation Species List found at:
FEIS/Revised LRMP/KNF/3-23 to 325
Louisiana Natural Heritage Program
(LNHP) yellow lady slipper profile at:
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/experience/naturalheritage/rareplant/cypripedium%20kentuckiense.pdf
Reed, C.F. 1981. Cypripedium kentuckiense Reed, a new species of orchid in
Kentucky. Pytologia 48: 426-428.
Region 8 Forester’s Sensitive Species
List,
2005
found
at:
http://fsweb.r8.fs.usnr/fwr/PETS_FSWEB
/ref/fs.080701_rfss.fsweb.xls
Medley, M.E. 1985. Status Report on
Cypripedium kentuckiense C.F. Reed.
Unpublished report to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
NatureServie. 2001. NatureServe
Explorer: on Online Encyclopedia of Life.
http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/
USDA, Forest Service. 1999. Revised
Land and Resource Management Plan for
the Kisatchie National Forest. Pineville,
LA: USDA Forest Service, Kisatchie
National Forest.
USDA, Forest Service. 1998 revised
2002. Nationally Listed (by U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service) Endangered, Threatened,
Proposed Species and Regional Forester’s
Sensitive Species: Subset of Species with
known or expected occurrence on the
Kisatchie National Forest.
Reservoir Construction and
Renovation Issues in Louisiana
Story and photos by Jay V. Huner, Ph.D.
Construction of new reservoirs and
renovation of existing ones have become
contentious issues in Louisiana. Reservoirs
hyacinths, and giant salvinia. Not only is
there a potential problem from the water
column being filled with plants, rafts of
floating plants can also suffocate the water
column by cutting off life giving sunlight
to oxygen-producing algaes and rooted
plants and severely impair the mobility of
watercraft.
I recently looked into the issues of
reservoir construction and renovation and
found some interesting information to
share.
Reservoir Construction Considerations
Reservoirs flood creek and river bottoms to store water
for multiple purposes.
can provide additional public recreational
opportunities for fishing and boating, and
are available for birding, and in some cases,
hunting for waterfowl. Although some
reservoirs are built primarily for recreational benefits and spin-off shoreline and associated local economic development, all
reservoirs store water and usually have
multiple related purposes such as flood
retention, water for irrigation and industrial/public supply uses, and power generation in the case of Louisiana’s largest reservoir, Toledo Bend. Reservoirs also flood
landscapes, especially precious bottomlands and unique riparian habitat zones,
thus dramatically altering the habitat and
the fish and wildlife species that can live
there. They also can displace residents and
inundate sites of cultural importance.
Once constructed, reservoirs begin a
planned “life cycle” with various phases of
productivity and maturity. If sediments
and nutrients from their watersheds accumulate at too high a rate, they can be
enriched to the point of “disease,” diminishing in depth and size faster than
planned. Nutrients associated with runoff
into reservoirs can accelerate development
of aquatic plant communities, especially
exotic plants such as hydrilla, water
Every reservoir has a planned life and
sedimentation is one of the factors taken
into consideration in determining a reservoir’s life expectancy. For each reservoir
the capacity of the sediment storage pool
located behind the dam is based on its 25,
50, 100, etc. year design life. Once the
planned sediment pool is full, the sediment
starts encroaching on the water storage
allocated to the reservoir’s authorized purposes. At some point, as the reservoir fills
with sediment, more and more of it
becomes marsh and swamp. Without
intervention it could eventually become
bottomland hardwood forest.
Can this be prevented? Sediment
Recreation for water-based activities like fishing, boating,
and swimming is often one of the attractions of reservoirs.
removal is one option. It can be dredged
to construct islands or shoreline features
like peninsulas, or hauled from the site.
But sediment removal is not the only con-
sideration in reservoir renovation. The
dam and its features are planned for the
same life as the sediment pool. Therefore,
if the sedimentation rate has been within
reservoir design specs, restoration of a silted-up reservoir will require more than simply removing or rearranging the accumulated sediment. The entire structure will
likely have to be restored to original design
capacity. Although mineral soils should
have an indeterminate life, the dam structure and its appurtenant features are subject to erosion, weakening by tree roots and
animal burrows, and normal deterioration
of the principal spillway (usually a concrete
and/or metal structure). Changed land use
downstream such as housing developments
may justify the restoration of old dams and
reservoirs. Homes and other buildings
could come under serious jeopardy in the
event of a dam failure. Alternatively,
planned demolition is preferable to risking
an unexpected dam failure that may
destroy property and cause loss of life.
Diligent maintenance will maximize the
useful life of a reservoir and reduce the risk
of losses from catastrophic dam failures.
Reservoir restoration all comes down
to economics. It’s expensive and involves
dewatering, alteration of habitat (reconverting the evolved wetlands to open
water), clearing and debris and sediment
disposal. Sediment removal or redistribution within the reservoir can also contaminate the environment by exposing anew
chemicals such as DDT that accumulated
in the sediment during earlier times.
Renovation can be done but each case has
to be studied on its own merits and as a
rule, unless the restored capacity has an
extremely high economic value, sediment
removal is not usually the least-cost alternative or economically justifiable.
As an aging reservoir system matures
and transitions from open water to shallow
water and vegetated wetlands, it provides
different societal services than those originally planned. But this wetland character
will also continue evolving to a dryer condition unless the reservoir is managed to
maintain it. In the case of a dam breach,
the sediment stored in a reservoir will
begin to erode and affect the water quality
in the stream system below until the stream
system returns to its pre-reservoir-construction functionality, if not quality.
All reservoirs have a planned life expectancy based on
predicted sedimentation rate. Often that rate exceeds
expectations as a watershed is developed. The open water
gradually fills in from the original shoreline, creating
wetlands and shallow water habitat that is favored by
wading birds and waterfowl.
Eutrophication and Aquatic Plants
Eutrophication
literally
means
“enrichment.” All reservoirs begin to be
enriched with plant nutrients as soon as
they are constructed. Even if the first exotic aquatic plant never finds its way into a
reservoir, native aquatic plants will begin
to thrive there. Water lilies and lotus will
emerge in the shallowest waters at the ends
of the reservoir and rooted plants like
cabomba, coontail, wigeon grass, and pond
weed will take root in the shallows and
move outward around the perimeters of
the shores. Superimpose floating water
hyacinths and giant salvinia with native
duck weeds and water ferns, and add the
aggressive rooted exotic aquatic hydrilla,
and a real mess can ensue, especially in
reservoirs that are shallow and located in a
very fertile watershed. Change the nature
of the watershed to intensively farmed with
tons of fertilizer applied to crops and rapid
runoff and the reservoir life expectancy as
originally planned can be shortened dramatically. [Note: A major problem associated with aggressive exotic plants like
hydrilla is that even a “young,” relatively
infertile reservoir like Caney Lake can be
quickly choked with weeds.]
Most recreational anglers, commercial
fishermen, and boaters immediately notice
encroachment of aquatic vegetation in
their favorite reservoirs. Aquatic weed
beds - emergent or rooted - are important
nurseries for forage, game, and commercial
fishes. But, when the densities of these
plants reach a certain point, they literally
clog the waters. This problem is exacerbated in nutrient rich systems associated with
agricultural activities in the watershed. In
other words, the effective life of a productive, open water reservoir and its anticipated benefits are decreased!
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries (LDWF) has a very competent and well staffed unit that addresses
aquatic “weed” problems. The professional biologists can evaluate aquatic weed
infestations and implement effective controls if provided the funding and authorization to do the work.
LDWF’s aquatic plant control program receives funds from three primary
sources. The first is Sportfish Restoration
Funds which are federal funds received
from excise taxes on reels, rods, tackle,
fishing electronics and motorboat fuel.
The second is from the Aquatic Plant
Control Fund, a state revenue source funded by fees collected on boat trailer registrations. The third source of funds is conservation funds, LDWF’s operating fund
funded through the sale of various sport
and commercial licenses, permits, severance taxes, mineral revenue on some
department property and an assortment of
other LDWF fees.
Funding from each source for aquatic
plant control in the 2005/2006 fiscal year
is approximately:
• Sportfish Restoration Funds: $700,000
• Aquatic Plant Control Funds: $500,000
• Conservation Funds: $1,000,000
LDWF has to prioritize each complaint. New infestations of exotic “weeds”
are given top priority. Funds are provided
for weed problems in all public water bodies - natural and constructed. Reservoirs
do not receive special consideration.
Unless the state legislature appropriates
additional “operational expenditures”
moneys for aquatic weed control, LDWF
has to work within the constraints of its
existing funding sources. Every complaint
is evaluated and placed in the “queue.” A
complaint may be placed Number One but
be constantly bumped backwards because
more immediate problems “pop up.” To
put this into perspective, herbicide application to Henderson Lake in the Atchafalaya
Basin cost $ 850,000 and was effective for
only one year. These moneys came from
the state’s Atchafalaya Basin Program in
the Department of Natural Resources and
did not subtract from LDWF’s aquatic
plant control program moneys.
Some Advice
Local or state government entities and
possibly the Federal government agency
that either built the reservoir or assisted
with the construction should have plans
and funding to provide for continuing
maintenance and future repairs that will be
needed. Usually these entities have signs at
Shoreline becomes mudflat as a reservoir ages.
the dam site crediting those involved.
Chances are good that the reason why
nothing is being done about evident problems is simple - no funds, local, state or
federal (assuming that there is a realistic
solution to the problem). It is clear that
folks who live on a reservoir that is nearing
the end of its “planned” lifetime will not
enjoy the same outdoor activities that were
available to their parents!
In the case of planning and authorizing new reservoirs, the responsible agencies
must have the funding capability to maintain the project through its planned life,
implement and administer land use and
other regulations necessary for proper
operation and maintenance, and to safely
decommission or do the necessary work to
re-commission the old reservoir and dam.
Acknowledgments: The author greatly
appreciates the assistance of Wildon Fontenot,
a retired federal conservationist, and staff of
the Inland Fish Division of the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for contributing information used in this article.
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in Louisiana
by Jay V. Huner, Ph. D
Most birders and duck hunters know it’s
spring in southwest Louisiana when they hear
the odd squeal-like whistle of Fulvous
Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna bicolor) arriving from Mexico to the area’s agricultural wetland complex to nest. Few hunters ever shoot
what was once known as the Fulvous Tree
Duck or “Mexican Squealer” because the birds
arrive well after the hunting season ends and
nesting in the local area as well as birds moving south from bottom-land nesting areas as
far to the north as Oklahoma, Arkansas, and
Tennessee.
Both species of whistling-ducks exhibit
strong flight with slow wing beats. The feet
project beyond the tail and both head and feet
droop below the body line. There is little
organization to flocks. Although these ducks
were once called “tree” ducks, the Fulvous
Whistling-Duck nests on the ground while
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is expanding its range in Louisiana. Photo courtesy of Mike Musumeche.
leave well before it begins the following fall.
However, a close relative, the Black-bellied
Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
has been present in very large numbers in the
past two winters in southwestern Louisiana
during the duck season.
Birders and waterfowl biologists first
noted a breeding presence of Black-bellied
Whistling-Ducks in lower Vermilion and
Cameron Parishes in the late 1980s. By the
end of the 1990s, flocks of several hundred
birds were wintering in the City Park area of
New Orleans with reports of nesting across
western Louisiana into Arkansas. By 2005,
the black-bellies had expanded their range
across Louisiana into other southern states.
Duck hunters in the Klondike region of
southwestern Louisiana were taking good
numbers of the black-bellies and they were
regularly recorded in bags from Sabine
National Wildlife Refuge. Winter congregations of black-bellies are made up of birds
the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck nests in
trees and often in cavities like Wood Ducks.
However, both species are large and somewhat
resemble small geese when standing. So, the
black-bellies nest in cavities with larger
entrances than those commonly used by
Wood Ducks. They readily nest in Wood
Duck boxes where they can get through the
entrance holes.
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are very
striking birds with red, yellow, and blue bills
and pink feet and “black” bellies in adults.
Immature black-bellies are paler than mature
birds but both birds have large white areas on
the wings. The chest and back of adults is a
rich reddish brown. Black-bellies also have
grayish heads. In contrast, Fulvous WhistlingDucks are a deep tawny overall color, feet have
a dull, bluish tone, and bills are dark. Check
as well for the white rump and white side
markings to differentiate them from black-bellies.
Executive Director: Continued from page 9
and general “joie de vive” have stood me
in good stead all these years with most
native Louisianans, from Cocodrie to
Shongaloo. Despite being playfully victimized by the late Senator Leonard
Chabert who routinely queried,
“Where’re you from, Boy” when I presented the LWF’s position before his
committee at the state capital, LWF has
maintained the respect of the Louisiana
Legislature for its reasoned and positive
advocacy on conservation and environmental issues. I am especially proud of
LWF’s successful efforts to secure from
misappropriation, through a constitutional amendment, the Conservation
Fund that supports the work of the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries, and the more recent CA to
guarantee the right of all Louisiana citizens to hunt, fish and trap. In the days
ahead, with your continued support, we
hope to achieve the state’s acquisition and
reopening of Elmer’s Island for public
enjoyment and fish and wildlife conservation. See Page 19 for how to help.
Most would concede that I have
earned my gumbo, and enough credential
to at least be worthy of a listen, if not
agreement. So, after more than a year of
post-hurricane stress and pain for our
state and her citizens, suffering through
endless whining, blaming and political
one-ups-man-ship and meeting after
planning meeting to figure out how to
reinvent and restructure how we will live
on the Gulf Coast, I cannot deny the
thought of the fundamentals of survival
in this flood-prone and hurricane-vulnerable part of the world that is so rich in
natural resources: “JUMP BACK; JUMP
UP,” at least figuratively. If action is
informed by that instinct, our state will
recover and thrive, and be respected and
supported by the rest of the nation.
I hope that all the planners, politicians and policy wonks beat me to it. But
if not, maybe next time I’ll expound a little on applying these fundamental survival instincts to reestablishing our society in a way that respects and preserves
our heritage and sense of home and values. Thanks for your confidence and
support.
Record Farm-released Alligator Harvested
Story Courtesy of the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
notches on the alligators, which indicate the
year of release.”
LDWF has managed the state’s
American alligator population since the
1960s. Over the years, carefully designed
research projects have led to successful “sus-
dozens of farm-released gators in the 10-foot
size class, and several in the 11-foot size class;
but the Tensas Parish alligator is the first to
Glenn Capdepon now holds the
attain 12 feet in length.
Louisiana record for the largest “farm
The survival of young alligators that are
released” alligator ever captured after hauling
collected as eggs, hatched and grown to
in a 12 and a half footer on Sept.
release size by the alligator farmer
10 in Tensas Parish. Capdepon, of
far exceeds the rate of survival in
Youngsville, noticed a notch in the
the wild where they are subject to
tail scutes following the harvest.
nest flooding, desiccation and
Louisiana Department of Wildlife
predation. The percentage of
and Fisheries (LDWF) personnel
young gators that must be
had notched the tail and inserted a
released back into the wild is
tag between the alligator’s toes on
based on the LDWF’s extensive
Aug. 28, 1993 at an alligator farm.
research indicating that 14 perThe male alligator was just 44
cent of alligator eggs actually
inches long at the time. The farm
produce young alligators that
was participating in the departsurvive to the release size, or in
ment’s alligator management proother words, that the department
gram that allows licensed alligator
estimates would have survived
farmers to collect eggs from the
on their own had the eggs not
nests of wild alligators and hatch
been collected. Thus, the alligaand grow them out under contor farmer may keep 86 percent
trolled conditions. A percentage of
of the hatchlings obtained from
the young gators hatched by the
collected eggs, grow these to harfarmer must be released back into
vestable size and sell the valuable
the wild to insure that the wild
hides and meat. The other 14
population remains robust.
percent must be released back to
“Often in larger alligators, the
the wetlands from which the eggs
small web tags placed between the
were collected within two years
alligator’s toes on the hind feet can
of collection, when the alligators
be lost with time,” said LDWF
are around 4 or 5 feet in length.
Alligator Biologist Ruth Elsey.
In addition to citizens who par“This alligator, however, retained
ticipate in the harvest programs,
the tag, providing valuable data for
many non-consumptive users
the program.”
benefit from the wild alligator
LDWF biologists said the alliresource. The mystique and aesgator grew over eight inches a year Glenn Capdepon (right) and Brandon Jackson with two large alligators taken in Louisiana’s thetic value of seeing a large wild
in the 13 years between release and 2006 fall harvest. The alligator on the left measured 12 feet, 6 inches, and had been alligator is of value to locals and
released to the wild at 44 inches in August, 1993 as part of the state’s egg “ranching”
recapture. It was released about program. Photo by Jeff Thomas (courtesy of Glenn Capdepon).
visitors to our state. Many
eight miles north of where it was
tourists and photographers travel
later harvested.
long distances for the opportuniIn most years, LDWF marks some tained use” harvest programs that benefit ty to get a glimpse of this unique species in
40,000 to 50,000 juvenile alligators at farms many Louisiana citizens, including private the wild.
around the state that are later released in wet- landowners, alligator trappers, alligator farmThe LDWF alligator program has
land areas. Like duck bands recovered by ers, alligator buyers, dealers and their employ- evolved from the first small, very limited, wild
duck hunters, the web tags reported by alliga- ees. In 2005, the value of alligator hides and harvest back in 1972, to the highly regulated
tor trappers help department biologists mon- meat was approximately $40 million. Despite multi-million dollar industry it is now. Ruth
itor alligator growth, survival and dispersal.
the devastating hurricanes of 2005, the M. Elsey is a Biologist Manager in the Office
“We encourage all trappers to report any resilient alligator remains a valuable resource of Wildlife, Fur and Refuge Division. An
marked alligators they harvest,” said Elsey. for the state. Conservative harvest quotas LDWF employee since 1991, she works in
“Even if the foot/web tag has fallen out with were set for the 2006 season after careful the department’s alligator management and
growth of the alligator, it is still helpful to the review of survey data.
research programs.
department to receive information on the tail
Louisiana alligator trappers have caught
Campbell Wins 2006 State
Duck Calling Title
With a consistent performance through
three rounds of competition, Jason Wayne
Campbell of Iowa, Louisiana topped a field
of 17 callers Sunday (Aug. 27) to win the
2006 State Duck Calling Championship.
The Senior Duck Calling Competition was
In the Intermediate (14-16 years of age)
duck calling division, Charles “Slade”
Norfleet of Luling placed 1st for the second
year in a row, followed by Matthew Laprarie
of Deville in 2nd and Thomas Roy of
Lafayette in 3rd . Norfleet was the Junior
Top finishers in the Senior Division of the State Duck Calling Contest for 2006, L-R: Kearney Hanks of Kaplan, 3rd Place;
Phil Green, II of New Iberia, 2nd Place; Jason Campbell of Iowa, 1st Place.
the premier event at the 38th Annual State
Duck and Goose Calling Contest hosted by
the Gueydan Duck Festival Association in
cooperation with the Louisiana Wildlife
Federation.
The victory was especially satisfying to
Campbell who finished second in last year’s
state competition, and third in 2004. His
persistence and practice paid off as he bested
defending state champ Phil T. Green II of
New Iberia. Green won the contest in 2005
and 2004 but finished second this go-round.
As state champ, Campbell is eligible to represent Louisiana in the World Duck Calling
Contest, Nov. 24-26 in Stuttgart, Arkansas.
Kearney Hanks of Rayne finished in
third place in a contest that saw many outstanding performances. Only a minor
“squeak” or glitch in cadence kept at least a
half dozen of the competitors from a place in
the winner’s circle.
Division Champ in 2004 and 2003.
Austin Hebert of Lafayette won the
Junior Division (under 14) competition in a
callback round to break a tie with Kennon
Menard, also of Lafayette, who took 2nd
place. Bo Bourque of Gueydan took 3rd in
the Junior competition.
Both Norfleet and Hebert are eligible to
represent Louisiana in their respective divisions at the World Duck Calling Contest.
In the goose calling competition, Tom
Fulkerson of Kaplan took first in the Senior
Division of the Blue/Snow category followed
by Cody Vincent of Gueydan in 2nd place
and James Meyers of Sulphur in 3rd. The
Junior Blue/Snow division (under 17 years
of age) was won by Chris Daniels of Lake
Charles followed by Austin Hebert in 2nd
and Thomas Roy in 3rd.
Jason Campbell bested the field of 15
specklebelly callers to take 1st place in the
Senior Division and achieve the rare accomplishment of being both the state duck calling and speckled-belly goose calling champ.
James Meyers took 2nd and Nathan Lopez
3rd. The Junior speck competition was won
by Chris Daniels with Thomas Roy taking
2nd place and Taylor Robideaux of Lafayette
taking 3rd. Daniels had finished second in
this competition the previous 2 years.
The top 3 finishers in each division
received plaques and the winners will receive
state champion jackets. All registered contestants were eligible for drawings for numerous prizes donated by contest sponsors and
supporters, including 2 beautiful Baretta
Ambassador Xtra automatic shotguns in 12
and 20 gauge. Shotgun winners were
Kennon Menard (20 gauge) and Chris Mire
of Sulphur won the 12 gauge.
The event was supported by numerous
volunteers led by contest chairman Phil
McDaniel of Gueydan. Contest judges were:
James (Rusty) Bullock. Stuttgart, AR; Eli
Haydel, Shreveport; Kelly Haydel, Bossier
City; Mike Smith, St. Bernard; David
Pruett, Conroe, TX. Louisiana State Senator
Nick Gautreaux of Meaux once again served
as scorekeeper and Louisiana Wildlife
Federation executive director Randy Lanctot
was contest announcer. The contest was
videotaped by TV personality Gary Rispone
for later broadcast on “Paradise Louisiana.”
The contest was held at the Gueydan Civic
Center in conjunction with the 30th Annual
Gueydan Duck Festival.
Thanks to the following sponsors and
donors for supporting the contest with their
products, services and financial contributions: G & H Seed; Farm Bureau; Bell
South; Louisiana Fish Fry Products; Avery
Outdoors; Budweiser; Cajun Audits; Dave
Smith Decoys; Edward Jones-Robert
Hackett; Flow Petroleum Services, Inc.;
Tule’ Hunting Club; Paradise Louisiana;
Acadiana Ford; B & S Flyers; Florance
Farms; Chien Caille Calls; Cajun Way
Hunting Lodge; Coteau Meche; Atchafalaya
Measurement; Marceaux’s Superette;
Lombard Securities.
TIBBY
Ole Tibby
Bon Jour, Mes Amis
Well, the reports regarding waterfowl
from the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission have been good and the fishing
reports from Paradise Louisiana are also getting better. Watching the fishing and hunting
on TV is as much fishing and hunting as I can
do at 89 years of age and taking a few prescriptions to boot. The TV shows are my
limit, now. Enjoy your times out-of-doors
while you can.
I was able to get out to attend the 38th
Annual State Duck & Goose Calling Contest
in Gueydan at the end of August. My son,
Jay and grandaughter Jaime took me. It was
nice to see and talk with so many old friends
and duck hunters. Congratulations to Jason
Campbell of Iowa, LA, the winner of the
duck calling title in the senior division and
god luck to him representing Louisiana at the
World Duck Calling Championship competition in Stuttgart Arkansas next month. Also
congratulations to the winners in the other
categories and divisions of duck and goose
calling. The contest had a good turnout of
contestants and was well organized by chairman Phil McDaniel.
It’s wonderful for Erna and me to have
our granddaughter Jaime back in town. She
had been working with the Kentucky
Conservation Department but came to Baton
Rouge to work with the Black Bear
Conservation Committee. She has a degree
in wildlife conservation from the University
of Wisconsin and even plays ice hockey. She
likes her new job a lot, meeting new people
and helping landowners and hunters understand how they can help restore Louisiana’s
native bear population. She hopes to do some
waterfowl hunting this season. I have been
sorting through all my old conservation stuff
- maps, photos; anything regarding conservaPage 30 Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Fall 2006
SEZ
tion and pollution abatement to give to her.
I saw LWF executive director Randy
Lanctot on the Paradise Louisiana outdoor
TV show doing a “show and tell” with the
contents of his grandfather’s old J. C. Higgins
tackle box at the Baton Rouge National
Hunting & Fishing Day event at the LDWF’s
Wadill Wildlife Refuge. The box was full of
old-timey lures that his Paw Paw used on fishing trips to Canada, Wisconsin, Minnesota
and Florida. He had baits like the River Runt
that we used to use on False River. And there
were some big pikey minnows and dardevle
spoons that were definitely “yankee” baits that
wouldn’t do so well in the south with all of
our tree tops and aquatic vegetation to get
hung up on. Some of the baits were still in
the box and looked brand new. I could tell
from listening to Randy that there were a lot
of memories in that old box. Fishing is a great
thing even if you can’t go anymore. Thanks
Randy and to Joe Macaluso and Gary
Rispone for putting that on their show.
I know that many of you are busy making plans for the upcoming hunting seasons.
Please keep safety foremost in your preparations. Take a hunter education course if you
have not done so already, and help pass on
our outdoor heritage to the youngsters. With
so many distractions today, many kids never
get to experience the outdoors the way hunting and fishing allows. Like the old saying
goes, a person cares about what he/she knows
about. I would hate to see the next generation be the last generation of to carry on the
outdoor traditions that have been so much a
part of our Louisiana culture and heritage.
I really appreciate the invites to go hunting and fishing that I have gotten from Stan
Blouin and Richard Dugas, former owners of
the Spillway Sportsman outdoor shop, and
Sonny Ourso, but as I noted, all my hunting
and fishing is confined to a seat in front of the
television screen. I don’t want to be a burden
to anyone as I surely would be on a hunting
or fishing trip at my age. Thanks, my friends.
Please continue to drop by the house to tell
me your hunting and fishing stories. That is
better than the television, for sure.
Bonne Chase et Bonne Peche
Ole Tibby
A F F I L I AT E
CLUBS
DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
Clio Sportsman’s League
Jefferson Rod and Gun Club
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
DISTRICT 3
Iberia Rod and Gun Club
DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
Friends of Black Bayou
DISTRICT 6
American Sportsmen Against Poachers
Citizens For A Clean Environment
East Ascension Sportsmen’s League
Triangle “T” Sportsmen’s League
DISTRICT 7
Acadiana Sportsmen’s League
Southwest Louisiana Wildlife Association
DISTRICT 8
Avoyelles Wildlife Federation
Bayou Bassmasters of Alexandria
Hunters for Hardwoods
Rapides Wildlife Association
DISTRICT 9
Louisiana Toledo Bend Lake Association
South Toledo Bend Civic Association
Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
STATEWIDE
Association of Louisiana Bass Clubs
Bayou State Bowhunters Association
Louisiana Association of Professional
Biologists
La. Chapter, National Wild Turkey
Federation
La. Chapter, Safari Club International
Louisiana Trappers and Alligator Hunters
Association
LOUISIANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION
Your investment in “Conserving our natural resources
and the right to enjoy them.”
Please enroll me as a member of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation
Visit our web site at www.lawildlifefed.org where you can join online.
Name:______________________ Email Addres___________________________________
Address:________________________________________(City)_____________________(State)_______(Zip)__________
Phone: Home__________________Work__________________
Check preferred member category below, attach your payment, and mail to:
LWF, P.O. Box 65239 Audubon Station, Baton Rouge, LA 70896-5239.
Sustaining – $35 (LWF lapel pin or logo license plate)
Sponsor – $100 (sponsor plaque)
Business – $50 (LWF logo T-shirt; M - L - XL)
Corporate – $1,000 (framed, limited edition s/n wildlife print)
Basic/Student – $15
Payment enclosed but don’t send me anything but Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine.
Please send information about your
individual or
corporate life membership.
All levels of membership include a subscription to Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine.

Fall 2006 Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine

Transcription

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