General DNR News

NATURAL RESOURCES’ SECRETARY SPEAKS TO OIL GROUPS

The first day at the office, but the second day began out in the field, so it was for the new state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Scott A. Angelle. Having resigned his local government presidency in St. Martin Parish on Monday, Secretary Angelle hit the ground running on Tuesday and moved into Governor Blanco’s regime, officially taking the reign at the State Capitol Park Complex/LaSalle Office Building at DNR.

On Wednesday, Angelle was working with oil executives and participating in the administration’s Economic Development Summit at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center in Baton Rouge. “My marching orders are to speak out everywhere I go that Louisiana is open for business and economic development is everybody’s business,” Angelle said. “I also have pledged to join the other natural resources trustees, the secretaries of the departments of Environmental Quality and Wildlife and Fisheries in all matters of interagency cooperation. Lines of communications are open and concrete partnerships are welcome,” he said.

In the spirit of teamwork, the three secretaries are also planning on moving from behind their desks and traveling together for speaking engagements in Lafayette and Lake Charles on next Tuesday (March 30th), the day following the start of the Regular Legislative Session. “We will be talking about our vision of a cleaner, better, working Louisiana,” Angelle explained.

Secretary Angelle spoke briefly to the Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association (LIOGA), backing up Gov. Blanco’s earlier remarks to the group that streamlining government permitting processes had to continue and must be a priority. Angelle said he was confident and motivated to make effective changes at DNR. Angelle and several of his immediate staff were on a panel discussion at the LIOGA conference. Commissioner of Conservation Jim Welsh, Acting Assistant Secretary of Coastal Restoration and Management Gerry Duszynski and Assistant Secretary of Mineral Resources Gus Rodemacher shared in a question and answer exchange with oil company members.

Today, Secretary Angelle and Commissioner Welsh also spoke to members of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association at LSU’s new Energy, Coast and Environment Center. The Mid-Continent organization represents all sectors of the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico including Exxon Mobil and ChevronTexaco.

Angelle plans to address the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Restoration and Conservation on Friday, March 26th at their monthly meeting. DNR Secretary Angelle said he wants the commissioners to know he is ready to listen, learn and direct the fight for saving coastal Louisiana. Angelle will tell the commission that he has already begun promoting the America’s Wetlands campaign by sending St. Martin Parish officials and all the 64 parishes, America’s Wetlands bumper stickers for their fleet of government vehicles.

Editors: For more information, contact DNR Public Information Director Phyllis F. Darensbourg at 225-342-8955.