National Hunting and Fishing Day - Sept.
28 DNR Secretary Meets
With Local Coastal Managers Parish Coastal
Management Contacts Assistant Secretary for
OCRM Appointed by Governor Coastal Staff
Profiles Cocodrie Wetlands
Workshop to be Held in October American Water
Resources Association Coastweeks '96
Coastal Wetlands
Conservation
Plan Public Meetings Subscription Info
The 12th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day in Louisiana is scheduled to be held
on September 28, from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. at Waddill Refuge located at 4142 Flannery
Road in Baton Rouge. This site is the former Baton Rouge City Police Youth Camp
where the event has taken place over the past few years. The event is sponsored by
the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (DWF) and is free and open to the
public.
Activities scheduled to take place include canoeing, muzzle loading, archery, a duck and goose calling clinic, boating education, and bait casting. Instructors will be present for all of these activities. A kids fishing contest is scheduled to be held from 9 a.m. until noon with all bait and limited poles furnished. The fishing contest is restricted to children 12 years old and younger. Other activities of the day will be demonstrations of fly casting and fly tying, archery hunting, and bait casting and jig fishing in a 5,000 gallon aquarium. Bobby the Robot Boat will also be featured. Along with the instruction activities and demonstrations, tasting booths will be set up to give attendees a chance to sample Louisiana-style seafood and game dishes. Attendees will also be able to purchase boat registrations, hunting and fishing licenses, cookbooks, and will be able to subscribe to the Louisiana Conservationist magazine. Refreshments will be provided.
A highlight of the day will be display booths set up to showcase educational materials and items of interest to the great outdoors' person. The Coastal Management Division (CMD) will be an exhibitor along with other state agencies, national organizations, and private groups. CMD staff will be on hand to answer questions about its responsibilities and the various wetlands issues. Questions regarding Louisiana National Hunting and Fishing Day can be directed to the DWF coordinator at (504) 765-2496 or (504) 765-2618.
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DNR Secretary Meets With Local Coastal Managers
Jack Caldwell, Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) addressed a group of local coastal program managers at a special meeting called by DNR last month. The parishes in attendance were Calcasieu, Cameron, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Mary, St. Bernard, St. James, and Plaquemines.
The purpose of the meeting was to allow local coastal program representatives an opportunity to meet with Secretary Caldwell and discuss issues of importance to the parishes. The meeting featured an interactive forum between the parishes and Secretary Caldwell, the announcement of projects nominated to receive low cost construction grant monies, and a presentation on the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan.
During the interactive forum, the parish representatives and Secretary Caldwell discussed issues such as the beneficial use of dredged material, oil and gas activities, wetland mitigation, and other topics of concern to the local programs. Secretary Caldwell notified the attendees he intends to participate in meetings such as this one throughout the year.
Federal coastal zone legislation provides for granting of monies for small construction projects known as section 306A projects. Proposals for these projects are submitted by governmental entities to DNR. The Coastal Management Division (CMD) reviews and nominates projects to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that they feel best meet program criteria. If the nomination is approved by NOAA, monies will be granted to the parish for that project. The following parishes have proposed projects that are being submitted to NOAA for 1996-1997 funding: Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Bernard, Terrebonne, Cameron, and St. Mary. These important projects are aimed at facilitating increased access for everyone to the state's coastal resources. Projects aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for teachers to teach and students to learn about coastal zone resources also make excellent program choices for selection by NOAA. Also discussed at the meeting was the state's efforts to produce a Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan. The plan is authorized by P.L. 101-646 (Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act). The Department is presently seeking input on ways to stimulate public involvement in the development of the plan. Development of the Conservation Plan is crucial since it would provide a mechanism for "no net loss of wetlands in the coastal areas of Louisiana as a result of developmental activities," it could lower the states cost-sharing requirements for coastal restoration projects with federal agencies under the above-mentioned act, and it will increase public awareness of the value and functions of wetlands and the ongoing wetland restoration activities.
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Parish Coastal Management Contacts
ASSUMPTION PARISH Assumption Parish Police Jury Attn: Martin Triche, President P.O. Box 518 Napoleonville, LA 70390 Phone: (504) 369-6168 Fax: (504) 369-2972 CALCASIEU PARISH ++ Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Office of Parish Planning and Development Attn: Pam Sturrock, Planning Mgr. P. O. Drawer 3287 Lake Charles, LA 70602 Phone: (318) 437-3511 Fax: (318) 437-3399 CAMERON PARISH ++ Cameron Parish Police Jury Attn: Tina Horn or Miles Hebert P. O. Box 366 Cameron, LA 70631 Phone: (318) 775-5718 Fax: (318) 775-5567 IBERIA PARISH Iberia Parish Government Emergency Management Attn: Jim Anderson Courthouse Bldg., Suite B-130 300 Iberia Street New Iberia, LA 70560-4587 Phone: (318) 369-4427 Fax: (318) 369-9956 JEFFERSON PARISH ++ Jefferson Parish Attn: Marnie Winter, Environmental Impact Officer or Gulser Wood 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 703 Harahan, LA 70123 Phone: (504) 736-6440 (Winter) Fax: (504) 736-6445 (Winter) Phone: (504) 838-4230 (Wood) Fax: (504) 838-4256 (Wood) LAFOURCHE PARISH ++ Lafourche Parish Council Attn: Cullen Curole, CZM Administrator, or Brent Duet, field investigator 101 West 112th Street Cut Off, LA 70345 Phone: (504) 632-4666 Fax: (504) 632-8653 LIVINGSTON PARISH Alex Theriot & Assoc. Attn: Alex Theriot, Jr. P. O. Box 879 Denham Springs, LA 70727-0879 Phone: (504) 665-5173 Fax: (504) 664-5283 ORLEANS PARISH ++ New Orleans City Planning Commission Attn: Harvey Stern, Room 9W 9th Floor-City Hall Civic Center 1300 Perdido Street New Orleans, LA 70112 Phone: (504) 565-7000 Fax: (504) 565-6143 PLAQUEMINES PARISH Plaquemines Parish Government Attn: Rodney Barthelemy Permit Administrator Permits Department P. O. Box 829 Port Sulphur, LA 70083 Phone: (504) 392-6690 Fax: (504) 564-2761 ST. BERNARD PARISH ++ St. Bernard Parish Planning Commission Attn: Mike Hunnicutt or Chris Andry 8201 West Judge Perez Drive Chalmette, LA 70043 Phone: (504) 278-4303 Fax: (504) 278-4298 ST. CHARLES PARISH St. Charles Parish Council Attn: Earl Matherne P. O. Box 302 Hahnville, LA 70057 Phone: (504) 783-5060 Fax: (504) 783-6447 ST. JAMES PARISH ++ St. James Parish Council Attn: Jody Chenier Courthouse P. O. Box 106 Convent, LA 70723 Phone: (504) 562-7431 Fax: (504) 562-2279 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH St. John The Baptist Parish Attn: Patrick McTopy Chief Administrative Officer 1801 West Airline Highway LaPlace, LA 70068 Phone: (504) 652-9569 Fax: (504) 652-4131 ST. MARTIN PARISH St. Martin Parish Council Attn: Gerard Durand, Jr. Parish Administrator P. O. Box 9 St. Martinville, LA 70582 Phone: (318) 394-2200 Fax: (318) 394-2203 ST. MARY PARISH St. Mary Parish Council Attn: Carol Vinning Director of Planning 5th Floor, Courthouse Building Franklin, LA 70538 Phone: (318) 828-4100, ext. 508 Fax: (318) 828-4092 ST. TAMMANY PARISH ++ St. Tammany Parish Department of Development Attn: Brian Fortson P. O. Box 628 Covington, LA 70434 Phone: (504) 898-2529 Fax: (504) 898-5237 TANGIPAHOA PARISH Tangipahoa Parish Attn: Jeff Schneider 23115 Zemurray Garden Drive Loranger, LA 70446 Phone: (504) 386-2694 Fax: (504) 386-8593 TERREBONNE PARISH Terrebonne Parish Attn: Robert Jones P. O. Box 2768 Houma, LA 70361 Phone: (504) 873-6720 Fax: (504) 873-6874 VERMILION PARISH Vermilion Parish Police Jury Attn: Michael Bertrand P. O. Box 430 Abbeville, LA 70511-0430 Phone: (318) 898-4300 Fax: (318) 898-4309 ++ indicates parish with approved program
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Assistant Secretary for OCRM Appointed by Governor
Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr. has chosen Katherine G. Vaughan to serve as
Assistant Secretary of the Office of Coastal Restoration and Management (OCRM).
Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jack Caldwell, to whom Vaughan will
report, said "Vaughan is knowledgeable and tough, a good friend, and a fighter and
defender of our coast."
Vaughan, a partner in the law firm of Milling, Benson, Woodward, Hillyer, Pierson and Miller in New Orleans, will leave her law practice to become the first woman Assistant Secretary in the department's history. "I am extremely proud to serve in this capacity, the Foster administration, and the people of Louisiana." Vaughan noted.
Vaughan is a cum laude graduate of Tulane University School of Law. She has also studied Comparative Land and Natural Resources and International Law in Mexico City and Administrative Law and Procedure at the University of Exeter in England. She serves on the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar, is a past member of the Executive Committee of the New Orleans Bar Association, and is certified by the Louisiana Supreme Court as an attorney mediator.
She has worked throughout her career in the natural resources field, first with an oil and gas company and then in her legal practice. She has extensive knowledge of state and federal regulations relating to oil and gas and natural resources, having been an advisor on land use, state mineral law, environmental compliance, lease and operating rights, remediation and site restoration. In the course of her practice she has worked with senior management of major corporations, engineers, geologists, corporate planners, and accountants, as well as environmental specialists, biologists and federal and state environmental officials.
Governor Foster said, "this administration has begun to demonstrate its commitment to coastal restoration by obtaining legislative appropriation of $7.8 million to obtain more than $20 million of federal coastal restoration funds. I am confident that Ms. Vaughan and Secretary Caldwell, working with all authorized agencies, will continue this commitment."
DNR's Office of Coastal Restoration and Management is responsible for the state's wetlands resources, implements Louisiana's Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Plan, and has regulatory authority over coastal resources through the implementation of the State and Local Coastal Resources Program.
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Coastlines will feature personnel of the CMD and CRD divisions in its upcoming editions. In December, look for profiles on CMD's Permits/Mitigation Branch and on CRD's Federal Assistance Section.
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Cocodrie Wetlands Workshop to be Held in October
Do you wonder what's currently being done to restore barrier islands hit hard by Hurricane Andrew? Do you want more information about using Mississippi River water to build new wetlands? If we continue to lose Louisiana's wetlands, do you wonder how this will affect your home, family, job, and community? You can get the answers to these and other questions at the Eighth Annual Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Workshop in Cocodrie on October 19 & 20, 1996. See the extensive wetlands of the Terrebonne Basin and become a part of a force working to solve wetland loss problems before it's too late.
In this year's wetlands workshop, you'll go by boat to nearby marshes and remote barrier islands. You will see things that the average person rarely sees, such as barrier slands that are being reconstructed, marsh being restored in the Falgout Wetlands, endangered oyster reefs, ancient river channels, and wetland vegetation that supports a world class fishery. Local residents and guest speakers will tell you about efforts underway to restore fragile wetlands. These leaders will show you the value of Terrebonne's wetlands as fish nurseries, bird sanctuaries, storm buffers, and a place called home to thousands of people. You'll learn why the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary is recognized as the most productive estuary in the nation.
All of the workshop activities will begin at Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), a research and education facility that lies on the edge of salt marsh adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. The workshop is a program of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and is made possible by a grant from the Barataria/Terrebonne National Estuary Program. The cost to participate is $95 for the weekend and includes accomodations (two nights), five meals (seafood boil included), lectures, two field trips by boat, and local entertainment. The cost for one day's activities is $45. Attendance is open to all interested adults on a first-paid basis. If you are interested, please register early since workshop space is limited. Scholorships are also available. For further information, call University of New Orleans (UNO) Conference Services at (504) 280-6680.
Additional supporters of this event are the Audubon Institute, FINA LaTerre, Houma-Terrebonne Tourist Commission, T.L. James & Co., Inc., La. Department of Natural Resources, LUMCON, Nicholls State University, Orleans Audubon Society, South Lafourche Levee District, and T. Baker Smith.
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American Water Resources Association
This year the American Water Resources Association will hold their Fall Symposium, entitled "Protecting Louisiana's Waters 96" on October 9, 1996 at the Holiday Inn in Gonzales, LA. The symposium is being held in conjunction with the American Institute of Professional Geologist's Fall Technical Conference.
Some of the technical sessions will include presentations on the state's Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, coastal restoration activities, floodplain management issues, groundwater and wastewater, mineral resources and water-related issues, and geographic information systems and their effective application.
The conference will begin registration at 8 a.m. followed by an introduction and welcome at 8:30 a.m. and a plenary session at 8:45 a.m. Technical sessions will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and will be followed by a social from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Registration fees are $45 if paid by October 1 and $55 if paid after that date. Student registration is $20, and the fee for exhibitors is $100. If interested in obtaining more information on this symposium please contact Ann Burruss, Symposium Chairperson, at (504) 344-6555.
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The kickoff for Coastweeks '96 will again be on the third Saturday
in September. This date is also the date of the Louisiana beach cleanup.
Governor Mike Foster has issued a proclamation declaring September 16
through October 7 to be Coastweeks in Louisiana.
NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management has released
a Public Service Announcement on Coastweeks and has distributed it
to many television stations across Louisiana.
It is hoped that all persons will take this time to "celebrate, educate, and
participate" by focusing on pollution, habitat topics, and wildlife
issues. Coastweeks should also remind us to act as good stewards of
the environment every day of the year.
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Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan Public Meetings
Four public meetings will be held during October to assist the Department of Natural Resources in the development of a Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan for Louisiana. They are as follows:
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This public document was published by the Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box
44487,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA 70804, to inform the public about Coastal Zone
Management
under authority of 16 U.S.C. 1451, et seq., and La. R.S. 49:214.21 et seq.
To subscribe to the paper version of this newsletter, please send your request to
webmaster@dnr.state.la.us.
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