Alexandria was the location for the Louisiana Wildlife Federation's 67th Annul Convention the weekend of March 3-5, 2006. The last time the Federation met in Alexandria was 2000. Host affiliate, Rapides Wildlife Association, did a great job of supporting the convention and making all feel welcome, including hosting a hospitality suite on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Spouses Tour and Luncheon on Saturday was organized by LWF outgoing 2nd Vice President Jay Huner and wife Judy. Participants visited the Tyrone Plantation, owned by Ninth US Judicial District Court Judge Rae Swent, where they enjoyed lunch, then rode over to Kent House for dessert featuring an authentic circa 1800 recipe cake with coffee.
Another of the several highlights of the meeting was the Board of Directors Luncheon where Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Dwight Landreneau presented a program on the role of the LDWF and its employees in search and rescue after the hurricanes. LWF President Smitty Smith praised the department and noted that the service of the department was a bright shining light in contrast to the incompetence and bickering that seemed to dominate the state and federal hurricane response efforts. Landreneau was given a standing ovation in appreciation of the department’s effort.
On Saturday afternoon, the LWF convention features interesting and topical presentations on aspects of conservation and environmental quality during the General Session. The first addressed offroading, a popular activity on the Kisatchie National Forest (KNF), but one that can affect wetlands and wildlife habitat, disturb or directly impact wildlife, erode soils, cause sedimentation, damage cultural resources, and spread invasive species. KNF Public Information Officer Jim Caldwell and Off-Highway Vehicle Project Coordinator Jackie Duncan explained the KNF's proposal to limit motor vehicles to designated roads and trails. The next talk was about the native prairie and grassland ecosystem that once covered millions of acres of Louisiana but that now is mostly relegated to narrow strips along railroad tracks and other small patches that have escaped the plow and human encroachment. Scott Edwards, Plant Materials Specialist and acting manager of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center described "Cajun Prairie Restoration Project" and other initiatives to bring this important component of Louisiana’s natural heritage back. Black Bear Conservation Committee Director Paul Davidson presented an update on the status of the bear recovery effort after 15 years of the BBCC's public outreach and education work, bear habitat gains and applied restoration techniques. And Cal Baker, Ecosystem Conservation Team Leader for the Kisatchie National Forest Free described how free-ranging dogs on the KNF can present forest management challenges and discussed a proposal for restricting the use of free-ranging dogs on the Kisatchie National Forest during Spring and Summer.
As is the custom at the Federation's convention, Saturday evening is reserved to honor outstanding conservation work at the Conservation Achievement Awards Recognition Banquet. Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Dwight Landreneau, represented Governor Blanco and presented the awards along with National Wildlife Federation Region 8 Director Dr. Earl Matthew. Both gentlemen addressed the 150 honorees and guests in attendance with cordial greetings and motivational words seasoned with good humor appropriate for the occasion. Once again, outdoor media personality Don Dubuc favored the LWF by serving as banquet Master of Ceremonies. The Governor's Conservation Awards and some of the other presentations made at the banquet are covered elsewhere in this issue of Louisiana WILDLIFE Federation magazine. To close the event, LWF outgoing president Smitty Smith presented the LWF President’s Cup to Edgar Veillon for his support during the year.
The major measure of productivity of LWF's convention are the resolutions adopted by the delegates. From these resolutions, the Federation takes direction for the months, and sometimes years, ahead. The following are the subjects and resolves of the 19 resolutions that were finally approved.
Resolve Portions of the Resolutions Adopted by the Delegates to the 67th Annual Convention of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, March 3-5, 2006 in Alexandria, LA.
Res. No. 2A -- PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED (WHEEL CHAIR BOUND) WATERFOWL HUNTING AREAS ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to review Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state for sites that could provide waterfowl hunting opportunities for physically challenged (wheel chair bound) hunters and to develop such sites within an overall plan/program to provide reasonable enhanced hunting opportunities on WMAs for physically challenged hunters on a regional basis within the state.
Res. No. 3A -- ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN HUNTING LAW VIOLATIONS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the consideration of enacting enhanced penalties for violations of the laws against hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting from a public road to improve the effectiveness of penalties in deterring these violations, including consideration of making violating the foregoing statutes a Class 4 violation.
Res. No. 4B -- PRESERVING THE SWAMP FOREST CHARACTER OF THE LOWER ATCHAFALAYA BASIN FLOODWAY
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges that the State of Louisiana in cooperation with her federal partners, particularly the US Army, Corps of Engineers, acquire the timber rights from private landowners in the Lower Atchafalaya Basin Floodway, on a willing seller basis, to insure that the scenic/aesthetic quality of the forested landscape of the Basin is preserved to the extent practicable under current and changing hydrologic regimes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the Atchafalaya Basin Program within the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to prioritize those stands of trees in the Basin that are of the highest quality and at greatest risk, identify the owners of the property, and begin discussions to determine the value of the property interest necessary to secure the preservation of the forest stands.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the Louisiana Congressional Delegation, the Louisiana Legislature, the US Army Corps of Engineers and private property owners in the Lower Atchafalaya Basin Floodway to support this effort.
Res. No. 5B -- RESTORING NATURAL FEATURES OF THE COAST TO ENHANCE HURRICANE PROTECTION IN THE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges Governor Blanco, the Louisiana Recovery Authority, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and other appropriate government agencies to integrate the Pontchartrain Coastal Lines of Defense plan into future coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts for coastal areas east of the Mississippi River.
Res. No. 6B -- COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES TO PREVENT POLLUTION AND SILTATION OF WATERWAYS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) urges the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Louisiana TIMED Managers and the Federal Highway Administration to rigorously comply with the Standard Specifications, Louisiana Constitution, state Scenic Streams permit requirements and the Clean Water Act.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that LWF urges the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to impose sufficient requirements to assure adequate protection of the various values of streams in the Louisiana Natural and Scenic River System, and to set adequate penalties for non-compliance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to take such actions as necessary to assure that Water Quality Certification standards are met during and after completion of road and bridge construction projects.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the Attorney General of Louisiana, the state Inspector General, and District Attorneys to aggressively investigate and prosecute any reports of violations of regulations and statutes that prohibit siltation and the impacts of highway construction on the state’s scenic streams.
Res. No. 7C -- RESTOCKING PROGRAM FOR THE TRIBUTARIES OF LAKE MAUREPAS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and supporting partners to undertake an extensive restocking program for the tributaries of Lake Maurepas.
Res. No. 8C -- SPOTTED SEATROUT FISHERY MANAGEMENT
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) urges the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) to conduct a statistically valid survey to determine the genuine preferences of Louisiana resident coastal anglers and guides on issues related to spotted seatrout management.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that since there is no urgent conservation need to take the proposed action to reduce the recreational limit for spotted seatrout, LWF urges the LWFC to suspend rulemaking on the proposal until the results of the survey are obtained and an accurate preference of management schemes by anglers in southwest Louisiana is determined.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that LWF urges the LWFC to refrain from imposing rules on all anglers across the coast for the sole purpose of having uniform regulations, or to address concerns of fishing guide businesses about competitive disadvantages.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if surveys indicate that a clear majority of resident licensed fishing guides prefer creel and/or size limits that are stricter than necessary for conservation purposes, and they are concerned that their business will be placed at a disadvantage by having different rules in different parts of the state, then LWF suggests that the LWFC consider the possibility of adopting separate harvest regulations which are specifically applicable to guides.
Res. No. 9D -- EXPANSION OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE BARATARIA PRESERVE UNIT OF THE JEAN LAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to actively work with Congressman Jindal to ensure the passage of the "Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Boundary Adjustment Act" (HR 1515).
Res. No. 10D -- JOINT APPLICATION OF COST-SHARE INCENTIVES FOR RESTORATION OF LONGLEAF AND OTHER FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Louisiana Legislature, in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry and the State Forester, to modify state law as necessary to allow the State Forester to share the costs of eligible tree planting practices with other organizations and agencies, including federal agencies, when doing so will not increase the cost to the state of its forestry incentive/tree planting programs.
Res. No. 11D -- LOUISIANA PRESCRIBED FIRE COUNCIL
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation strongly endorses the development of a Louisiana Prescribed Fire Council, comprised of representatives of all appropriate public and private stakeholders.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges that organizations and agencies be invited and encouraged to designate representatives to serve on the Louisiana Prescribed Fire Council, including but not limited to the Louisiana State Governor's Office, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana Office of State Parks, Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall, Louisiana Office of State Lands, Louisiana Forestry Association, Louisiana Landowners Association, Kisatchie National Forest, Department of Defense, Louisiana Army National Guard, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Louisiana Chapter of the Society of American Foresters, Louisiana Association of Professional Biologists, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Tech Forestry School, and the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.
Res. No. 12D -- LOUISIANA NATIVE PLANT INITIATIVE
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation strongly supports and recommends the expansion of the Louisiana Native Plant Initiative to provide Louisiana ecotypes of native plant materials for use in ecosystem restoration projects as well as for commercial agribusiness endeavors.
Res. No. 13D -- McELROY SWAMP RESTORATION
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Louisiana Department of Transportation to act jointly in leading an effort to restore the natural hydrology of the McElroy Swamp in the Maurepas Basin of Southeast Louisiana and to assume leadership in organizing the other state and federal agencies along with private landowners to conduct a drainage study and a develop a restoration plan restoration plan for the McElroy Swamp watershed area.
Res. No. 14D -- FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL CERTIFICATION
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges Weyerhaeuser Company and Plum Creek Timber Company and the Kisatchie National Forest to qualify and apply for Forest Stewardship Council certification.
Resolution No. 15E -- SUPPORT FOR INCREASED FUNDING OF THE COASTAL WETLANDS PLANNING PROTECTION AND RESTORATION ACT
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation strongly supports increasing the funding of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that LWF urges the Louisiana Congressional Delegation and the State of Louisiana (Governor; Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority; Governor's Executive Assistant for Coastal Activities; Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources; Governor's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation; Team Leader for the Comprehensive Plan for Coastal Protection and Restoration) to aggressively pursue an increase in funding of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act.
Res. No. 16E -- LIFETIME HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation requests the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Legislature and State Division of Administration to jointly study the financial needs of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries with respect to the feasibility of continuing the lifetime hunting and fishing license program.
Res. No. 17E -- EVALUATION OF THE SUITABILITY FOR INCLUSION OF DRAKE'S CREEK (VERNON PARISH) IN THE LOUISIANA NATURAL & SCENIC STREAMS SYSTEM
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation requests the Louisiana Legislature to direct the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries to evaluate Drake's Creek for inclusion in the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System and make a recommendation for suitability for designation at a subsequent Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.
Res. No. 18E -- PROTECTING THE THREATENED PEARLSHELL MUSSEL UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) urges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the agency with direct responsibility for protecting the threatened Louisiana Pearshell Mussel (LPM), to, in a prompt manner not to exceed 2 years: 1) update the Recovery Plan to include the Rigolette Bayou population; 2) update the Recovery Plan by developing criteria for delisting the species from endangered to threatened as required in the Recovery Plan; 3) do more than one complete survey on the Rigolette Bayou watershed and gather the required population and reproduction data; 4) designate critical habitat as required by the Endangered Species Act; 5) supervise the Forest Service sufficiently to keep ATVs out of LPM beds; 6) identify the host fish for the LPM so the species can be propagated under controlled conditions for restocking in suitable habitats.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the FWS to expedite the performance of range-wide surveys and the 5-year status review for the LPM and to subsequently revise the Recovery Plan to include the Rigolette Bayou population, establish stream-specific population goals to support delisting criteria for the LPM, and identify the LPM host fish.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the FWS to conduct population surveys every three years to establish population and recruitment trend data for the LPM and to work with the Kisatchie National Forest to ensure that forest use regulations and management practices are protective of the LPM.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges that sufficient funds be appropriated by the US Congress for the FWS to perform necessary population surveys, status reviews, revisions of the Recovery Plan and, as appropriate, critical habitat designations for those species listed under the authority of the Endangered Species Act.
Res. No. 19D -- COMPREHENSIVE HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports the conservation goals of the Comprehensive Habitat Management Plan for the Pontchartrain Basin and urges state and federal governments as well as Basin stakeholders to work together to achieve these goals.
Res. No. 20A – BOBCAT CONSERVATION AND HARVEST REGULATIONS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation respectfully urges the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to withdraw its recommendation to expand the bobcat hunting season to year round as proposed in its Notice of Intent for the 2006/‘07 Resident Game Hunting Seasons.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to review its "experimental design" for determining the status of the bobcat population in the state and to revise and enhance it as necessary to achieve the confidence needed to advise the LWFC on appropriate management and harvest strategies for the species.
Thanks to the generosity of many sponsors, donors and supporters, the convention fundraising auction and the convention itself helped to raise sufficient funds to cover all expenses and raise additional dollars to support the LWF's programs. These generous individuals, organizations and businesses are gratefully acknowledged below.
Sponsors and Donors
Special thanks go to the following persons, organizations and businesses for supporting this convention with their generous donations.
Corporate Eagle
Shell Oil Company
Bald Eagles
Rapides Wildlife Association
Ron & Jackie Bartels
Ken & Cindy Dancak
Earl & Lonnie Matthew
Red River Waterway Commission
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Avoyelles Wildlife Federation
East Ascension Sportsman's League
Terry & Lisa Melancon
Warren, Jodie & Joelle Singer
Edgar F. Veillon
White-tailed Deer
Acadiana Sportsman's League
Boise Cascade, LLC
Virginia & Don Burkett
Tom & June Butler
Jerry & Sybil Haas
Randy Paul Lanctot
Keith & Cindy Saucier
Largemouth Bass
Jim & Barbara Dodds
Joe & Rosalie Herring
Jay V. Huner
Jimmy & Sherri Johnston
Green-winged Teal
R. O. Chadwick, MD
Juanita Crawford
Lenny Hensgens
Bill Herke
Judy Huner
Clint & Virginia Mouser
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10th Annual Acadiana Great Outdoors Expo; Anacoco Hill Nursery; Association of Louisiana Bass Clubs; Alexandria-Pineville Convention & Visitors Bureau; Audio Video Innovators; Baker Manufacturing Co.; Ron & Jackie Bartels; Bill Lewis Lures; David Boudreaux; Rick Bryan; Virginia Burkett; Cajun Injector; Nancy Camel; Chastant Feed Store; Ronald Coco; City of Crowley; Delorme Mapping; DOA Lures; Barbara Dodds; Vance Gordon; Joe & Rosalie Herring; Hoppe Farms; Jay & Judy Huner; Innovation Event Management; International Rice Festival Association; Jimmy & Sherri Johnston; Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation; Randy Lanctot; Louisiana Wildlife Federation; Lisa Madry; Andrea Mattison; Joe McPherson; Terry & Lisa Melancon; Sharon & Johnnie Miller; PetSmart; Rapides Wildlife Association; Riviana Foods, Inc.; Keith & Cindy Saucier; Security Sporting Goods; Shell Pipeline Company; Smitty Smith; Sprint PCS; Doug Stannard; Stansel Rice Co.; Larry Thompson; USGS National Wetlands Research Center; WalMart-Alexandria; Wild Birds Unlimited; Wright & McGill Co./Eagle Claw
