UNDERWATER OBSTRUCTION

REMOVAL PROGRAM

____________Revised January 2003_______________

The Underwater Obstruction Removal Program was created to locate, identify
and remove obstructions that are a hazard to commercial fishing and navigation
along the coastal waters of Louisiana. The Program is administered by the Louisiana
Department of Natural Resource's Office of Conservation.

2003 Hang Book

In January of 1998, a "Pilot" program began an effort to determine the long term
economic feasibility of removing nearly all obstructions. Funding has come from NOAA
( the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the Coastal Impact
Assistance Program and the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund. These funds totaled about $2,500,000. At the
present time, all that remains is an annual contribution by the Fishermen's Gear
Compensation Fund in the amount of $250,000. In five years, approximately 5000 tons
of obstruction debris has been removed.

Underwater obstructions are serious threats to human life, boats, and equipment.
They are also very expensive as evidenced by payments made by the
Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund for those damages caused by contact with
obstructions. It is the general belief that most obstructions are caused by oil and
gas companies. Therefore, it was legislated that oil and gas companies should fund
a program that would pay for damages. They are assessed large amounts by the
Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund to pay eligible commercial fishermen.
The last assessment made was in 2006 to 344 pipeline companies and 186
lease companies for $3,228,000. Since the fund began in 1980, nearly $20,000,000
has been paid out.

To file a claim with the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund call Taquita Wright at 225-342-0122
or you can go here to obtain a blank claim form, as well as the detailed instructions.
If assistance is needed, please contact the Fishermen's Gear Office at 225-342-0122.

Locating obstructions under water is not an easy matter. Various methods
have been tried in an attempt to find the one that has least cost and highest productivity.
At present, the preferred method is to go into an area and discuss with commercial
fishermen where they believe obstructions are located, obtain their positions and then
survey an area in all directions from that point out 300 yards using a high frequency side
scan sonar. Divers identify each obstruction.

Once a number of obstructions are located and identified, a contract for their removal
is put out for bid. Tugs, barges and cranes are the typical removal materials.
Obstructions can and are every conceivable item imaginable, but most include
sunken boats, pipes, tanks and flow lines.

CURRENT BIDS

To contact the Underwater Obstruction Removal Program you may call 225-219-9860 or
write:
Office of Conservation
Underwater Obstruction Removal Program
P.O. Box 94275
Baton Rouge, LA 70804