WHEREAS, the Vermilion/Cote Blanche Bay system plays a vital role in the economy of the state of Louisiana as well as the Acadiana area, generating more than $500 million in revenues through commercial and recreational fishing and boating, and
WHEREAS, due to the removal of the Wax Lake Outlet Control Structure in 1994, sediment and fresh water flow into the bay system increased from a 70/30 Atchafalaya River/Wax Lake Outlet flow split to a 60/40 split, and
WHEREAS, the increased outflow of river water eventually is transported by the predominant tidal circulation and wind patterns westward to Cote Blanche Bay and Vermilion Bay threatening large acreage of seed oyster beds and other fisheries resources, and
WHEREAS, the Coast 2050 restoration plans include reducing sedimentation in, and maintaining the brackish condition of the bays, and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is presently studying what mitigation, if any will be implemented for this area.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) through its Lower Atchafalaya River Re-evaluation Study, or the Corps and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources through the Coast 2050 Feasibility Study, to achieve the Coast 2050 plan to manage Atchafalaya River influence, a key feature of which is the restoration of the Point Chevreuil Reef.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in convention assembled, 62nd Annual Meeting, March 4, 2001 in Many, Louisiana.