Office of Conservation
DNR'S CONSERVATION COMMISSIONER VISITS TURKMENISTAN
The state's Conservation Commissioner Philip Asprodites and several other oil and gas experts visited the Caspian Sea region in July to participate in talks focused on U.S. oil and gas regulatory programs. The trip coordinated by the United States Energy Association, provided Caspian oil and gas leaders with an information exchange and setup an environmental regulatory partnership with Turkmenistan, Asprodites said today.
DNR BEGINS LITTLE VERMILION BAY PROJECT TO PROTECT AND CREATE VALUABLE MARSHLAND
LITTLE VERMILION BAY -- At a site visit today, officials with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced work has begun on the Little Vermilion Bay Sediment Trapping Project that encompasses an area of 964 acres of marsh and open water.
VOTE BY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MAKES STABLE FUNDING STREAM FOR COAST CLOSER TO REALITY
Baton Rouge – A stable revenue source to fund the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Fund is one step closer to reality today with the unanimous vote of approval by members of the Louisiana House Appropriations Committee to free up annually two percent of the state’s net mineral income, plus $5 million, to be used for coastal restoration.
DNR Launches National Release of ‘Save LA Wetlands' PSAs to Increase Awareness
BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Jack Caldwell today announced the nationwide release of a series of broadcast public service announcements to "Save LA Wetlands", continuing the state's efforts to broaden public awareness of Louisiana's devastating coastal wetlands loss.
DNR’S COASTAL ADMINISTRATOR HONORED FOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND COAST 2050 PLAN
Dr. Bill Good, Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Restoration Administrator, was given the Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s Professional Conservationist of the Year award in February at ceremonies held in Lafayette. Good was honored for his leadership and dedication to the Coast 2050 initiative.
COMMISSIONER OF CONSERVATION MEETS WITH TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION
Commissioner Philip N. Asprodites met with his Texas counterpart, Charles Matthews, Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, in January to discuss the current status of the oil and gas industry. The Office of Conservation and the Texas Railroad Commission regulate the oil and gas industries in their respective states. Commissioner Asprodites and Chairman Matthews discussed possible severance tax relief on oil production when the price drops below a certain level. Commissioner Asprodites supports the proposal of the Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association that would redefine incapable wells as stripper wells when oil prices fall below fifteen dollars a barrel, thereby suspending the collection of severance taxes on incapable wells. The fiscal impact of such a freeze would be less than three million dollars to the state treasury.
Unprecedented Consensus: COAST 2050 PLAN APPROVED BY STATE WETLANDS AUTHORITY, CWPPRA TASK FORCE, 20 COASTAL PARISHES
BATON ROUGE – In an unprecedented joint meeting this week of the State Wetlands Authority and the CWPPRA (Coastal Wetlands Protection, Preservation and Restoration Act, or Breaux Act) Task Force, the Coast 2050 Plan strategies and habitat objectives were approved. The Coast 2050 strategies and the model of parish involvement used in the planning process have been unanimously approved by all 20 coastal Louisiana parishes.
ST. MARY AND VERMILION PARISH PROJECTS HELP PROTECT MARSH LAND IN COASTAL LOUISIANA — BREAUX ACT PROJECTS DEDICATED TODAY —
‘Reversing the Tide,' Louisiana's battle against coastal erosion, was demonstrated today in St. Mary Parish as the Cote Blanche Hydrologic project was dedicated and visited by federal, state and local officials, and the public. The Cote Blanche project and the Freshwater Bayou Bank Stabilization project in Vermilion Parish were constructed under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Breaux Act) sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the state Department of Natural Resources.
CONSERVATION FIELD AGENTS MEET FOR TRAINING SEMINAR
Commissioner of Conservation Philip N. Asprodites assembled Office of Conservation field agents to Baton Rouge for a training seminar last week to review the latest legal and environmental issues affecting site inspections of oil and gas wells in Louisiana. The Commissioner sees education and training of his staff as high priority in these highly technical times.
Plant Research May Help Save Louisiana Wetlands
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has teamed with the U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center and the University of Southwestern Louisiana to identify and duplicate exceptional native plants and then disperse them in the field to combat wetland loss.