The Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) has repeated its call for the state to acquire and manage Elmer's Island for wildlife conservation and compatible public use.  The call came in the wake of the release of an economic and user preference study of Elmer's Island by the LSU Center for Natural Resource Economics and Policy (CNREP).  The CNREP report indicates a strong desire by outdoor recreation seekers to restore access to the fishing, camping, birding and beachcombing that Elmer's Island afforded the public for over 30 years.  It also suggests that there would be substantial fee-generated income and economic activity associated with reopening the area.

Access to the 1700 acre barrier beachfront on the Gulf of Mexico across Caminada Pass from Grand Isle, about 50 miles south of New Orleans, was gated two years ago and the property is up for sale.

"This new report highlights the value of Elmer's Island to the people and the economy of Louisiana," said LWF executive director Randy Lanctot.  "The Federation believes that purchasing the property is a wise investment of state dollars, and that belief is confirmed by the findings of the CNREP report."

The LWF initiated its Elmer's Island acquisition campaign in the Spring of 2002. Federation past president and Grand Isle camp owner, Keith Saucier, discovered the locked gate and "for sale" sign when stopping by on his way home from a weekend at his camp.  Disturbed by the loss of this wonderful family fishing and camping area, now closed after 30 years of public use, he brought the matter before the delegates to the LWF's annual convention.  Through the Federation's resolutions process it adopted a position that called for acquisition and reopening of Elmer's Island as a public recreation and wildlife conservation area.  The LWF developed a proposal and solicited the support of Governor Foster and other key public officials.  The effort was joined early on by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program.

Saucier assembled a team of Elmer's Island advocates to organize grassroots support for the idea.  As a result, thousands of individuals have signed petitions and hundreds of letters have been sent to the Governor's Office urging the state to acquire Elmer's Island.  Newspapers and outdoor writers and broadcasters have editorialized in support, and dozens of organizations have endorsed state acquisition, including parish and local governments and the Louisiana Legislature.  A list of these organizations is posted on the website, www.elmersisland.org.  The Legislature approved funds for acquisition during the 2003 legislative session.

"This report gives new life to the Elmer's Island acquisition campaign," said LWF's Saucier.  "Acquiring Elmer's Island for the people of the state is a great opportunity to leave a legacy that will be much appreciated and long remembered by those of us who cherish the simple pleasures of the great outdoors in Louisiana."

For more information about the Louisiana Wildlife Federation's proposal for Elmer's Island contact LWF at lwf@lawildlifefed.org.  The LSU CNREP report on the "Elmer's Island Coastal Preference Survey" is available at http://www.seagrantfish.lsu.edu/pdfs/Elmers_report.pdf.