Whereas, many changes in the hydrology of the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System have occurred because of modifications to historic water flow patterns by commercial operations under permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
Whereas, many of the above-mentioned modifications require periodic maintenance to prevent further damage to the pre-existing environment and subsequent water flow and quality degradations; and
Whereas, some permits have been issued without sufficient conditions requiring maintenance of the modified features; and
Whereas, permit conditions which were appropriately included have not been aggressively enforced by the responsible enforcement authorities.
Therefore be it resolved that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports the inclusion of conditions that require the continued maintenance of the modified area in all modification permits to prevent future degradation of wildlife habitat and/or ecosystem sustainability caused by intended or unintended changes to pre-existing conditions.
be it FURTHER resolved that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports aggressive enforcement of permit conditions for the protection of habitat and ecosystem sustainability.
be it FURTHER resolved that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports increased funding of regulatory and enforcement activities by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or its designees, in the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System.
be it FURTHER resolved that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation encourages the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to acquire and utilize remote sensing data and other technology to routinely monitor permit compliance statewide with a pilot effort to be conducted in the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in Convention Assembled, February 24, 2013 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is a statewide conservation education and advocacy organization with more than 8,500 members and 25 affiliate groups. Established in 1940, it is affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation and represents a broad constituency of conservationists including hunters, fishers, campers, birders, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.