General DNR News
Water flow may be raised for crawfish crop
Baton Rouge---Just in case the long-range weather forecast fails, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prepared to help nature's course — a little. The Old River Control Structure usually diverts 30 percent of the water from the Mississippi River down the Atchafalaya River but 32 percent may be the magic number to help boost the state's crawfish crop this season.
Oyster Leases in Barataria Renewed
Secretary Jack Caldwell of the Department of Natural Resources requested today that his counterpart at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, James "Jimmy" Jenkins, Jr., reinstate the oyster leases located within the Davis Pond Cumulative Impact Area due to the overwhelming success of the Davis Pond relocation program. As of the deadline on Thursday, 60 of 64 oyster lessees had been heard from, either by phone or in writing, who had agreed to participate in the program. The vast majority of these were opting for the purchase option, while a much smaller group were planning to select the relocation option.
NOAA/Louisiana DNR Award Three Contracts Totaling $632,000 to Plant Marsh and Dune Vegetation on Barrier Islands
Three contracts have been awarded to two local companies to install nearly 140,000 native dune and marsh plants on three key barrier islands along Louisiana’s coast. The awards, totaling $632,000, were announced today by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries. The planted vegetation will reduce erosion on 600 acres, increasing the life span of East Timbalier Island, Grand Terre Island and the Chandeleur Islands
German engineer returns home after working with Conservation office
Ulf Larres never appeared to be out of place as he reported to work each day for three months at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources' building. From November 1st to January 31st, he happily showed up at 8 am to begin his work as an inspector with the Injection and Mining division of the Office of Conservation. With a master's degree in mining engineering from the Technical University of Aachen in Germany in addition to his special training from his own workplace –Oberbergamt Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Larres worked quite comfortably with co-workers in charge of approving permits, inspecting oil and gas facilities and other related environmental programs of the agency.
TWO PARISHES RECEIVE PERMITTING AUTHORITY
Plaquemines and Terrebonne parishes have recently received approval to begin operating local coastal programs. The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the federal government have granted the parishes the authority to issue permits for local concern projects in their communities as part of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP).
MINERAL BOARD RELEASES JANUARY FIGURES
The State Mineral Board conducted a Lease Sale January 10, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. in the Mineral Board Hearing Room located in the State Land and Natural Resources Building in Baton Rouge. Below are the preliminary results of the Lease Sale and 2000-2001 Fiscal Year totals. State Mineral Board Secretary Gus Rodemacher noted that January's lease sale figures are subject to change. He said that any changes made after the release date will be posted at www.dnr.state.la.us
DNR SECRETARY TO SIT ON FEDERAL COMMITTEE TO ASSESS ROLE OF OCS IN NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION
Jack Caldwell, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, has been asked by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department of Interior to serve with a group that will assess the role the Outer Continental Shelf will play in meeting the demand for the nation's future natural gas supply.
MINERAL BOARD RELEASES DECEMBER FIGURES
The State Mineral Board conducted a Lease Sale December 13, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. in the Mineral Board Hearing Room located in the State Land and Natural Resources Building in Baton Rouge. Below are the preliminary results of the Lease Sale and 2000-2001 Fiscal Year totals.
Coming Soon to a Library Near You Educational video on Nonpoint Source Pollution
An educational video on the topic of Nonpoint Source Pollution has been produced by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Nonpoint Source Pollution poses a serious environmental problem for coastal waters and other waterbodies in our state.
Caldwell Receives Award for National Policy Work
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jack Caldwell recently received special recognition from the national Coastal States Organization (CSO) for his work on federal legislation (CARA) that would have increased revenues to coastal states. CARA (Conservation and Reinvestment Act) was fully supported by the CSO, backed by all 50 states' governors, passed by a wide margin the U.S. House, but fell short of passage in the Senate.