Office of Coastal Management
September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS
National Hunting and Fishing Day - Sept. 28
The 12th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day in Louisiana is scheduled to be held on September 28, from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. at Waddill Refuge located at 4142 Flannery Road in Baton Rouge. This site is the former Baton Rouge City Police Youth Camp where the event has taken place over the past few years. The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (DWF) and is free and open to the public.
Activities scheduled to take place include canoeing, muzzle loading, archery, a duck and goose calling clinic, boating education, and bait casting. Instructors will be present for all of these activities. A kids fishing contest is scheduled to be held from 9 a.m. until noon with all bait and limited poles furnished. The fishing contest is restricted to children 12 years old and younger. Other activities of the day will be demonstrations of fly casting and fly tying, archery hunting, and bait casting and jig fishing in a 5,000 gallon aquarium. Bobby the Robot Boat will also be featured. Along with the instruction activities and demonstrations, tasting booths will be set up to give attendees a chance to sample Louisiana-style seafood and game dishes. Attendees will also be able to purchase boat registrations, hunting and fishing licenses, cookbooks, and will be able to subscribe to the Louisiana Conservationist magazine. Refreshments will be provided.
A highlight of the day will be display booths set up to showcase educational materials and items of interest to the great outdoors' person. The Coastal Management Division (CMD) will be an exhibitor along with other state agencies, national organizations, and private groups. CMD staff will be on hand to answer questions about its responsibilities and the various wetlands issues. Questions regarding Louisiana National Hunting and Fishing Day can be directed to the DWF coordinator at (504) 765-2496 or (504) 765-2618.
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DENR Secretary Meets With Local Coastal Managers
Jack Caldwell, Secretary of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DNR) addressed a group of local coastal program managers at a special meeting called by DENR last month. The parishes in attendance were Calcasieu, Cameron, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Mary, St. Bernard, St. James, and Plaquemines.
The purpose of the meeting was to allow local coastal program representatives an opportunity to meet with Secretary Caldwell and discuss issues of importance to the parishes. The meeting featured an interactive forum between the parishes and Secretary Caldwell, the announcement of projects nominated to receive low cost construction grant monies, and a presentation on the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan.
During the interactive forum, the parish representatives and Secretary Caldwell discussed issues such as the beneficial use of dredged material, oil and gas activities, wetland mitigation, and other topics of concern to the local programs. Secretary Caldwell notified the attendees he intends to participate in meetings such as this one throughout the year.
Federal coastal zone legislation provides for granting of monies for small construction projects known as section 306A projects. Proposals for these projects are submitted by governmental entities to DENR. The Coastal Management Division (CMD) reviews and nominates projects to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that they feel best meet program criteria. If the nomination is approved by NOAA, monies will be granted to the parish for that project. The following parishes have proposed projects that are being submitted to NOAA for 1996-1997 funding: Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Bernard, Terrebonne, Cameron, and St. Mary. These important projects are aimed at facilitating increased access for everyone to the state's coastal resources. Projects aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for teachers to teach and students to learn about coastal zone resources also make excellent program choices for selection by NOAA. Also discussed at the meeting was the state's efforts to produce a Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan. The plan is authorized by P.L. 101-646 (Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act). The Department is presently seeking input on ways to stimulate public involvement in the development of the plan. Development of the Conservation Plan is crucial since it would provide a mechanism for "no net loss of wetlands in the coastal areas of Louisiana as a result of developmental activities," it could lower the states cost-sharing requirements for coastal restoration projects with federal agencies under the above-mentioned act, and it will increase public awareness of the value and functions of wetlands and the ongoing wetland restoration activities.
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Parish Coastal Management Contacts
ASSUMPTION PARISH
Assumption Parish Police Jury
Attn: Martin Triche, President
P.O. Box 518
Napoleonville, LA 70390
Phone: (504) 369-6168
Fax: (504) 369-2972
CALCASIEU PARISH ++
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
Office of Parish Planning and Development
Attn: Pam Sturrock, Planning Mgr.
P. O. Drawer 3287
Lake Charles, LA 70602
Phone: (318) 437-3511
Fax: (318) 437-3399
CAMERON PARISH ++
Cameron Parish Police Jury
Attn: Tina Horn or Miles Hebert
P. O. Box 366
Cameron, LA 70631
Phone: (318) 775-5718
Fax: (318) 775-5567
IBERIA PARISH
Iberia Parish Government
Emergency Management
Attn: Jim Anderson
Courthouse Bldg., Suite B-130
300 Iberia Street
New Iberia, LA 70560-4587
Phone: (318) 369-4427
Fax: (318) 369-9956
JEFFERSON PARISH ++
Jefferson Parish
Attn: Marnie Winter, Environmental Impact Officer or Gulser Wood
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd.,
Suite 703
Harahan, LA 70123
Phone: (504) 736-6440 (Winter)
Fax: (504) 736-6445 (Winter)
Phone: (504) 838-4230 (Wood)
Fax: (504) 838-4256 (Wood)
LAFOURCHE PARISH ++
Lafourche Parish Council
Attn: Cullen Curole, CZM Administrator, or
Brent Duet, field investigator
101 West 112th Street
Cut Off, LA 70345
Phone: (504) 632-4666
Fax: (504) 632-8653
LIVINGSTON PARISH
Alex Theriot & Assoc.
Attn: Alex Theriot, Jr.
P. O. Box 879
Denham Springs, LA 70727-0879
Phone: (504) 665-5173
Fax: (504) 664-5283
ORLEANS PARISH ++
New Orleans City Planning Commission
Attn: Harvey Stern, Room 9W
9th Floor-City Hall Civic Center
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 565-7000
Fax: (504) 565-6143
PLAQUEMINES PARISH
Plaquemines Parish Government
Attn: Rodney Barthelemy
Permit Administrator
Permits Department
P. O. Box 829
Port Sulphur, LA 70083
Phone: (504) 392-6690
Fax: (504) 564-2761
ST. BERNARD PARISH ++
St. Bernard Parish Planning Commission
Attn: Mike Hunnicutt or Chris Andry
8201 West Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043
Phone: (504) 278-4303
Fax: (504) 278-4298
ST. CHARLES PARISH
St. Charles Parish Council
Attn: Earl Matherne
P. O. Box 302
Hahnville, LA 70057
Phone: (504) 783-5060
Fax: (504) 783-6447
ST. JAMES PARISH ++
St. James Parish Council
Attn: Jody Chenier
Courthouse
P. O. Box 106
Convent, LA 70723
Phone: (504) 562-7431
Fax: (504) 562-2279
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH
St. John The Baptist Parish
Attn: Patrick McTopy
Chief Administrative Officer
1801 West Airline Highway
LaPlace, LA 70068
Phone: (504) 652-9569
Fax: (504) 652-4131
ST. MARTIN PARISH
St. Martin Parish Council
Attn: Gerard Durand, Jr.
Parish Administrator
P. O. Box 9
St. Martinville, LA 70582
Phone: (318) 394-2200
Fax: (318) 394-2203
ST. MARY PARISH
St. Mary Parish Council
Attn: Carol Vinning
Director of Planning
5th Floor, Courthouse Building
Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: (318) 828-4100, ext. 508
Fax: (318) 828-4092
ST. TAMMANY PARISH ++
St. Tammany Parish
Department of Development
Attn: Brian Fortson
P. O. Box 628
Covington, LA 70434
Phone: (504) 898-2529
Fax: (504) 898-5237
TANGIPAHOA PARISH
Tangipahoa Parish
Attn: Jeff Schneider
23115 Zemurray Garden Drive
Loranger, LA 70446
Phone: (504) 386-2694
Fax: (504) 386-8593
TERREBONNE PARISH
Terrebonne Parish
Attn: Robert Jones
P. O. Box 2768
Houma, LA 70361
Phone: (504) 873-6720
Fax: (504) 873-6874
VERMILION PARISH
Vermilion Parish Police Jury
Attn: Michael Bertrand
P. O. Box 430
Abbeville, LA 70511-0430
Phone: (318) 898-4300
Fax: (318) 898-4309
++ indicates parish with approved program
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Assistant Secretary for OCRM Appointed by Governor
Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr. has chosen Katherine G. Vaughan to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Coastal Restoration and Management (OCRM). Department of Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Jack Caldwell, to whom Vaughan will report, said "Vaughan is knowledgeable and tough, a good friend, and a fighter and defender of our coast."
Vaughan, a partner in the law firm of Milling, Benson, Woodward, Hillyer, Pierson and Miller in New Orleans, will leave her law practice to become the first woman Assistant Secretary in the department's history. "I am extremely proud to serve in this capacity, the Foster administration, and the people of Louisiana." Vaughan noted.
Vaughan is a cum laude graduate of Tulane University School of Law. She has also studied Comparative Land and Natural Resources and International Law in Mexico City and Administrative Law and Procedure at the University of Exeter in England. She serves on the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar, is a past member of the Executive Committee of the New Orleans Bar Association, and is certified by the Louisiana Supreme Court as an attorney mediator.
She has worked throughout her career in the natural resources field, first with an oil and gas company and then in her legal practice. She has extensive knowledge of state and federal regulations relating to oil and gas and natural resources, having been an advisor on land use, state mineral law, environmental compliance, lease and operating rights, remediation and site restoration. In the course of her practice she has worked with senior management of major corporations, engineers, geologists, corporate planners, and accountants, as well as environmental specialists, biologists and federal and state environmental officials.
Governor Foster said, "this administration has begun to demonstrate its commitment to coastal restoration by obtaining legislative appropriation of $7.8 million to obtain more than $20 million of federal coastal restoration funds. I am confident that Ms. Vaughan and Secretary Caldwell, working with all authorized agencies, will continue this commitment."
DNR's Office of Coastal Restoration and Management is responsible for the state's wetlands resources, implements Louisiana's Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Plan, and has regulatory authority over coastal resources through the implementation of the State and Local Coastal Resources Program.
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Coastlines will feature personnel of the CMD and CRD divisions in its upcoming editions. In December, look for profiles on CMD's Permits/Mitigation Branch and on CRD's Federal Assistance Section.
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Cocodrie Wetlands Workshop to be Held in October
Do you wonder what's currently being done to restore barrier islands hit hard by Hurricane Andrew? Do you want more information about using Mississippi River water to build new wetlands? If we continue to lose Louisiana's wetlands, do you wonder how this will affect your home, family, job, and community? You can get the answers to these and other questions at the Eighth Annual Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Workshop in Cocodrie on October 19 & 20, 1996. See the extensive wetlands of the Terrebonne Basin and become a part of a force working to solve wetland loss problems before it's too late.
In this year's wetlands workshop, you'll go by boat to nearby marshes and remote barrier islands. You will see things that the average person rarely sees, such as barrier slands that are being reconstructed, marsh being restored in the Falgout Wetlands, endangered oyster reefs, ancient river channels, and wetland vegetation that supports a world class fishery. Local residents and guest speakers will tell you about efforts underway to restore fragile wetlands. These leaders will show you the value of Terrebonne's wetlands as fish nurseries, bird sanctuaries, storm buffers, and a place called home to thousands of people. You'll learn why the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary is recognized as the most productive estuary in the nation.
All of the workshop activities will begin at Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), a research and education facility that lies on the edge of salt marsh adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. The workshop is a program of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and is made possible by a grant from the Barataria/Terrebonne National Estuary Program. The cost to participate is $95 for the weekend and includes accomodations (two nights), five meals (seafood boil included), lectures, two field trips by boat, and local entertainment. The cost for one day's activities is $45. Attendance is open to all interested adults on a first-paid basis. If you are interested, please register early since workshop space is limited. Scholorships are also available. For further information, call University of New Orleans (UNO) Conference Services at (504) 280-6680.
Additional supporters of this event are the Audubon Institute, FINA LaTerre, Houma-Terrebonne Tourist Commission, T.L. James & Co., Inc., La. Department of Energy and Natural Resources, LUMCON, Nicholls State University, Orleans Audubon Society, South Lafourche Levee District, and T. Baker Smith.
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American Water Resources Association
This year the American Water Resources Association will hold their Fall Symposium, entitled "Protecting Louisiana's Waters 96" on October 9, 1996 at the Holiday Inn in Gonzales, LA. The symposium is being held in conjunction with the American Institute of Professional Geologist's Fall Technical Conference.
Some of the technical sessions will include presentations on the state's Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, coastal restoration activities, floodplain management issues, groundwater and wastewater, mineral resources and water-related issues, and geographic information systems and their effective application.
The conference will begin registration at 8 a.m. followed by an introduction and welcome at 8:30 a.m. and a plenary session at 8:45 a.m. Technical sessions will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and will be followed by a social from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Registration fees are $45 if paid by October 1 and $55 if paid after that date. Student registration is $20, and the fee for exhibitors is $100. If interested in obtaining more information on this symposium please contact Ann Burruss, Symposium Chairperson, at (504) 344-6555.
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The kickoff for Coastweeks '96 will again be on the third Saturday in September. This date is also the date of the Louisiana beach cleanup. Governor Mike Foster has issued a proclamation declaring September 16 through October 7 to be Coastweeks in Louisiana. NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management has released a Public Service Announcement on Coastweeks and has distributed it to many television stations across Louisiana. It is hoped that all persons will take this time to "celebrate, educate, and participate" by focusing on pollution, habitat topics, and wildlife issues. Coastweeks should also remind us to act as good stewards of the environment every day of the year.
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Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan Public Meetings
Four public meetings will be held during October to assist the Department of Energy and Natural Resources in the development of a Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan for Louisiana. They are as follows:
- October 17 - Lake Charles
- October 21 - Metairie
- October 22 - Lafayette
- October 23 - Houma
Five additional meetings will be held following these in Alexandria, Monroe, Shreveport, Covington, and Baton Rouge (Dates not available yet). For information on the upcoming meetings call (504) 342-7308. If you would like information on the latter five meetings call (504) 342-7591.
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This public document was published by the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 44487, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA 70804, to inform the public about Coastal Zone Management under authority of 16 U.S.C. 1451, et seq., and La. R.S. 49:214.21 et seq.
To subscribe to the paper version of this newsletter, please send your request to webmaster@dnr.state.la.us.
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