Over its eight decades as an organization, LWF has facilitated citizen action and engagement in natural resources management on behalf of our membership that has been comprised of hunters, anglers, paddlers, campers, boaters and birders who appreciate Louisiana’s abundance of wildlife and the heritage of outdoor recreation we enjoy. Our membership of more than 11,000 today prioritize coastal sustainability, comprehensive water management, and wildlife conservation as crucial for Louisiana’s economic and environmental stability.
LWF believes there is always room for improvement and modernization, and we commend the Governor, the Natural Resources Steering Commission (NRSC), and the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) for undertaking this exercise. LWF supports the Commission’s goals to increase transparency, efficiency, and coordination, utilize clear and intuitive governance, and ensure sustainability. In particular, we commend the Departmental Review for Innovation and Visionary Enhancement (DRIVE) initiative for its focus on fostering collaboration and information sharing across agencies. These efforts will improve decision-making and manage the state’s natural resources and associated infrastructure in a way that complements the state’s overall infrastructure needs.
LWF previously voiced our concerns over the possibility of moving the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority (CPRA) under the purview of DENR in our blog titled “LWF Comments on Governor Landry’s Executive Order to Reorganize CPRA.”
The focus of these comments are general observations concerning the overall reorganization of DENR and in response to the stated recommendations presented for the NRSC’s consideration. With the addition of specific recommendations the Steering Commission may consider, we look forward to the opportunity to provide further comments at the appropriate time.
Below is a summary of our recommendations for the DRIVE Initiative that we submitted in letter form to NRSC on July 9, 2024.
Water Resources
In the reorganization of DENR provided for by HB 810, LWF supports the creation of the Office of Land & Water that could facilitate a more comprehensive management of the state’s water resources. Currently, there is no Division of Water in DENR and management of surface water and groundwater is spread among different agencies and authorities. LWF supports the work that a groundwater authority for each of the aquafers in the state can provide in coordination for on servation management and usage unique to each. But Louisiana is behind in creating a water budget and effectively tracking withdrawals and usage of the water sources of the state. This Page 2 of 4 makes it difficult to prioritize uses or protect quality and quantity for future use in the state. Clean and potable water is vital for life. Water is also important for economic growth and this state perceives that water is in abundance and will continue to be so without management of use. But overuse, uses leading to poor quality, and threats from reduced flow are real challenges to long-term prosperity. Impact from predicted increases in flood and drought cycles point to coordinated management being prudent and necessary now.
Renewable Energy
LWF appreciates the recommendations related to renewable energy siting that include “partnering with the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to pursue programmatic and geospatial planning and stakeholder outreach for offshore wind development in state waters.”
CPRA
It is understandable that the DRIVE initiative is reviewing how the state is managing coastal restoration and flood protection. Having a Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities elevates the importance of our coastal resources and attendant land loss. It has been incredibly helpful to have CPRA created and function as it does today to integrate protection and restoration planning for the entire coastal zone. This work requires a broad focus that transcends more than one state and agency and draws interest from a large and diverse group of stakeholders. We, therefore, continue to advocate for maintaining CPRA as an independent agency as it is structured today.
Boards and Commissions
Executive Order JML 24-13 called for a review of all natural resources-related boards and commissions. The initial review report identified the overly large size of membership or overlapping purpose as reasons to consider trimming or eliminating a board or commission. Maintaining broad representation for input from diverse interests and providing a forum for public input and visible
decision making are very important purposes of commissions, advisory groups, and boards.
LWF respectfully asks: Are members not being appointed to these boards and commissions? Are meetings being called but appointed members are not attending? Merely because meetings are not being called does not mean there is no interest.
Read LWF’s Full Comments:
Comments on the Presentation to the Natural Resources Steering Commission Meeting of June 18, 2024