Roby Fulkerson
Manager

Contact
Information

phone (225) 342-6089
   FAX  (225) 342-2584

PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Office of Conservation
Engineering Division
LaSalle Building, 9th Floor
617 N. Third Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70802

MAILING ADDRESS
Office of Conservation
Engineering Division
Post Office Box 94275
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70804-9275

Report an INCIDENT 

 
None at this time.

None at this time.

The Louisiana Underwater Obstruction Removal Program (Program) was created by Act 666 of the 1997 Regular Session to address the growing problem of natural and manmade underwater obstructions in the navigable waters of the State.  The Program was intended to supplement the existing Fisherman's Gear Compensation Fund Program (FGCF) which allowed the mitigation of financial losses caused by underwater obstructions, but did not provide a long-term solution to the problem.  The specific focus of the Program is to verify and remove underwater obstructions which pose an impediment to normal navigation and commercial fishing in navigable State waters.

The current source of Program funding is via a $250,000 annual transfer from the FGCF.  This funding source was authorized by Act 599 of 1999 and utilizes unused funds that would not affect payments for claims.  These funds are deposited to the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund which is dedicated by statute to fund the operation of the Program.  No tax-payer dollars are utilized. 

Project selection and oversight is handled by multi-purpose Office of Conservation engineering staff while all other obstruction verification and removal tasks are contracted to approved contractors.  Project bids are solicited in accordance with the State bid law and projects are awarded to the lowest qualified bidder.

Project bids are solicited in accordance with the State bid law and projects are awarded to the lowest qualified bidder.

To bid on assessment or removal projects, contractors must be on the approved contractor list prior to the deadline referenced in the bid.  To become an approved contractor, a completed contractor application (MS Word) must be filed.

• List of Currently Approved Contractors for Assessment Projects
  (as of 11/2/11)
• List of Currently Approved Contractors for Removal Projects  
  (as of 11/2/11)

Hang points that have been reported through the Fisherman's Gear Compensation Fund can be viewed using the SONRIS - Geographic Information System.   The layer is entitled "Fisherman's Gear Hang Points" and is found within the "Reference Layers" category.

The hang points shown in this layer were compiled using information reported by citizens or contractors to the Fisherman's Gear Compensation Fund and/or the Underwater Obstruction Removal Program. As a result, there may be numerous existing hang points and/or obstructions which are not depicted in this layer. Users should also note that hang points associated with older reports may be less reliable due to changing conditions. This layer is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered authoritative for navigational, engineering, other site-specific uses, or any other uses. The information is unverified, and the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DNR) does not warrant or guarantee its accuracy, nor does DENR assume any responsibility or liability for any reliance thereon.

• LAC 43:XI.315 through 331  - Underwater Obstructions

None at this time.

• Fisherman's Gear Compensation Fund
• DENR Purchasing & Property Control