Breaux Act Newsflash - Coastal Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Announcements (CWPPRA)
***********************************************************************Coastal Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Announcements (CWPPRA)
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Invasive Species Alert
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries' Aquatic Nuisance Species
Coordinator, Brac Salyers, and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary
Program (BTNEP) Invasive Species Coordinator, Michael Massimi, are
tracking the recent spread of apple snails in the Barataria and Terrebonne
estuaries. Genetically identified as pomacea insularum, or the island
apple snail, these very large freshwater mollusks are being reported in
two distinct locations: Gretna and Belle Chasse regions of the Barataria
system, and in the Houma/Schriever/Chacahoula/Bayou Black area of the
Terrebonne system. The snails are usually submerged, but crawl out of the
water to lay bright pink egg clusters above the waterline. The egg
clusters are highly visible, and are often the first sign of the snails'
presence. Anyone observing the snails or their eggs outside of the two
known areas of infestation is asked to report the sighting to Brac Salyers
at 225 765-2641.
http://www.wwltv.com/video/?z=y&nvid=241314
For BTNEP information on the newest invaders, click on
http://invasive.btnep.org/default.asp?id=130
For NWRC information on invasive species, click on
http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/invasive_species/nwrc_research.htm
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Meeting and Event Announcements
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National Audubon to Recognize Atchafalaya Basin as an Important Bird Area
May 10, 2008
The National Audubon Society of Louisiana will recognize the Atchafalaya
Basin as an Important Bird Area (IBA) on May 10, 2008, International
Migratory Bird Day. This will be the first such recognition for any IBA
in the state of Louisiana. The ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. at
the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area headquarters on Whiskey Bay Road
during Step Outside Day, and it is open to the public.
The largest remaining tract of bottomland hardwood forest in the United
States, the Atchafalaya Basin is gaining recognition as an IBA due to its
vital importance for breeding populations of Northern Parula, Kentucky,
Prothonotary, Swainson's and Yellow-throated Warblers, as well as
Swallow-tailed Kites and the colorful and near-threatened Painted Bunting.
It is also a migratory stopover site for globally important
concentrations of up to 2,000 Wood Storks in the fall. The site is
visited by hundreds of birders annually, as well as numerous hunters and
anglers.
For an introduction to the birds for which the Atchafalaya Basin has been
identified as an IBA, attend the Neotropical Songbird Tour. To follow the
tour stops on your own, assemble between 7 and 8 a.m. at the intersection
of I10 and LA 975. Or, gather at 6:30 a.m. at Coffee Call (I10 and
College Drive in Baton Rouge) to join the tour led by Richard Gibbons of
the Baton Rouge Audubon Society.
At the IBA recognition ceremony, Paul Kemp, Vice-President of Louisiana's
Gulf Coast Initiative, will speak about the importance of the site to
birds. Representatives of the major public landowners in the Atchafalaya
Basin will also speak briefly about the site. These individuals include
Neil Lalonde of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Danny Breaux of the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, and Michael Seymour, of the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
"It's with great pleasure that I announce today that the Atchafalaya Basin
will be the first site in Louisiana officially recognized as an Important
Bird Area under National Audubon's Louisiana IBA program," said Melanie
Driscoll, Louisiana's Important Bird Areas Coordinator. Driscoll added,
"National Audubon looks forward to working in partnership with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other interested
organizations and private landowners, in promoting sound bird conservation
practices on the site for years to come."
National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas program identifies
significant bird habitat across Louisiana based on data reviewed by a
technical committee of 18 experts using peer-reviewed scientific criteria.
The IBA Program is a voluntary effort to help willing private and public
land managers provide the best stewardship practices for bird conservation
on their property. It is a non-regulatory program providing sound
scientific information to help build conservation partnerships.
STEP OUTSIDE is a national program administered by the National Shooting
Sports Foundation to increase participation in outdoor sports. This year's
event runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will include fishing, archery,
boating, target and trap shooting, wood crafts construction, nature
photography, raptors, bird watching and decoy painting. Step Outside Day
is open to all children and adults, but is targeted to those with special
needs.
For further information on the National Audubon Society of Louisiana's
Important Bird Areas program contact Melanie Driscoll, Important Bird
Areas Program Coordinator, Louisiana Bird Resource Center, c/o LSU Museum
of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; (225)
938-7209.
Contact: Melanie Driscoll
Louisiana Important Bird Areas Coordinator
225/938-7209
mdriscoll@audubon.org
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Plaquemines CZM
When: May 21, 2008 6:30:00 PM
Description: 6:30 P.M. at the Plaquemines Parish Government building 8056
HWY 23 Belle Chasse La. 70037 in the EOC Conference Room 3rd floor May
21,2008
Affiliation: Plaquemines Parish Government
Location: Government building 8056 HWY 23 Belle Chasse La. 70037 in the
EOC Conference Room 3rd floor
Contact Info: "Albertine Kimble" <albertine_kimble@plaqueminesparish.com>
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BTNEP 44th MC
When: June 5, 2008 9:00:00 AM
Description: Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program 44th Management
Conference June 5th, 2008 9 am
Affiliation: BTNEP & BTNEF
Location: Plantation Room Nicholls State University Student Union
Thibodaux, La
Contact Info: www.btnep.org or 1-800-259-0869
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SAVE THE DATE
4th Presidents' Forum on Meeting Coastal Challenges
Insurability of the Coast
June 16, 2008
New Orleans, LA
Meeting location and lodging information forthcoming
Register Online @
www.laseagrant.org/forum/june08.htm
4th Presidents' Forum on Meeting Coastal Challenges: Insurability of the
Coast.
In collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Insurance and the
America's Wetland Foundation, the Forum will take place on Monday, June
16, 2008, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in New Orleans, LA (meeting location
forthcoming). During this fourth forum, experts in insurance, flood
insurance, floodplain management, and mitigation planning will discuss
insurance issues facing coastal communities. The day also will include a
vibrant, solution-oriented panel discussion featuring coastal state
insurance commissioners.
Like the previous Forums, there is no cost to attend, however seating is
limited and registration is requested by June 2, 2008. Lodging will be
available at the meeting location at the participant's expense. For
information please contact Katie Lea at (225) 578-6445 or klea@lsu.edu or
visit our Web site at www.laseagrant.org/forum/june08.htm
For those of you unable to attend, plans are to Webcast the Forum live and
also make it available for viewing online.
Dr. Charles "Chuck" Wilson
Director, Louisiana Sea Grant College Program
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Volunteer, Awards and More....
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Volunteers needed for projects in May with National Wildlife Federation's
Coastal Louisiana Habitat Restoration Initiative. To register, contact
Rebecca Triche or Jenny Reeverts at 225-346-6945 or
LouisianaProject@nwf.org or visit www.nwf.org/louisiana
Remove invasive species at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego (near New
Orleans) on Tuesday, May 13 through Friday, May 16, 9am to 3pm. Volunteers
will remove invasive species - Chinese Tallow - using a variety of
techniques from simple to labor intensive. Hurricane Katrina brought down
more than half of the mature trees in Bayou Segnette State Park and the
open canopy has allowed the spread of Chinese Tallow, inhibiting the
regrowth of native trees.
Build Wood Duck Nest Boxes at La Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton
Rouge, on Saturday, May 17, 9am to noon. Volunteers will construct wood
duck boxes from cypress pieces already cut by members of East Ascension
Sportsman's League and donated in memory of Terry Melancon. Also,
volunteers will weatherize wood duck boxes built with pine that were
donated by volunteers at the McLean County Fair in Illinois to install in
Louisiana.
Remove invasive species and/or maintain a new trail at Brechtel Memorial
Park on the Westbank of New Orleans on Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20,
9am to 3pm. Volunteers will remove invasive species Cats Claw vine or
Chinese Tallow, using a variety of techniques - simple to labor intensive;
and help maintain a walking trail recently cut in the park to allow access
in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Plant marsh grass at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge in New Orleans
East on Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22, 9am to 3pm. Volunteers
will plant marsh in an area of the refuge scoured by a barge pushed into
the area during Hurricane Katrina. (This project may also continue on
Friday, May 23.) Project partnered with the City of New Orleans.
Build Wood Duck Nest Boxes & Predator Guards at Southeast La Refuge
Complex in Lacombe (near Slidell) on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May
28, 9am to 3pm. Volunteers will construct wood duck boxes from cypress
pieces already cut, using drills. Volunteers will also construct predator
guards from sheet metal to protect the boxes once they are installed. To
be installed at national wildlife refuges in coastal Louisiana at a later
date.
Remove invasive species and maintain a new trail at Brechtel Memorial Park
on the Westbank of New Orleans on Thursday, May 29, 9am to 3pm. Volunteers
will remove invasive species Cats Claw vine or Chinese Tallow, using a
variety of techniques - simple to labor intensive; and help maintain a
walking trail recently cut in the park to allow access in areas impacted
by Hurricane Katrina.
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COALITION TO RESTORE COASTAL LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES COASTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD
WINNERS
May 9, 2008
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana will recognize seven award
recipients as outstanding stewards of Louisiana's coast at the thirteenth
annual Coastal Stewardship Awards Banquet to be held on Friday, May 9 at
the LSU Faculty Club in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Mike Poirrier,
Professor Emeritus, will receive the Coalition's Lifetime Achievement
Award following his 39 year career at the University of New Orleans.
Recipients of Coastal Stewardship Awards also include Dr. Joe Suhayda for
his work on hurricane storm surge modeling, Mr. John Giambrone for his
work with the Coastal Roots Program, Mr. Gregory M. Grandy for his work as
Senior Project Manager with the Coastal Engineering Division of the
Department of Natural Resources, Mrs. Marietta Greene for her work in
facilitating restoration and protection projects, America's WETLAND
Conservation Corps for engaging hundreds of volunteers in hands-on coastal
restoration and recovery activities and the National Wildlife Federation's
Coastal Louisiana Habitat Restoration Initiative for assisting wildlife
and citizens recovering from the impacts of hurricanes Katrina and Rita
The Coastal Stewardship Awards program is sponsored by the Coalition to
Restore Coastal Louisiana to recognize significant contributions by an
individual or group in the effort to save Louisiana's coast. This year's
recipients have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the preservation
and restoration of Louisiana's fragile coast and we congratulate them for
their outstanding accomplishments. The Governor's Executive Assistant on
Coastal Activities, Mr. Garret Graves, will be the keynote speaker for the
banquet. Reservations can be made by visiting www.crcl.org or by calling
the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana at (888)LACOAST.
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National Water Research Institute
NANCY RABALAIS, EXPERT ON MARINE HYPOXIA, TO RECEIVE THE 2008 CLARKE PRIZE
The National Water Research Institute (NWRI) announced today that aquatic
scientist Nancy N. Rabalais, Ph.D., will be the fifteenth recipient of the
NWRI Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize for excellence in water
research. Rabalais is Executive Director and Professor of the Louisiana
Universities Marine Consortium in Chauvin, Louisiana, which provides
coastal laboratory facilities to Louisiana universities and conducts
research and educational programs in the marine sciences.
The 2008 Clarke Prize will be presented to Rabalais on Thursday, July 10,
2008, at the Fifteenth Annual Clarke Prize Lecture and Award Ceremony, to
be held at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach,
California. NWRI established the Clarke Prize in 1993 to recognize
outstanding research scientists who have demonstrated excellence in
water-science research and technology. The prize, which includes a gold
medallion and $50,000 award, is presented annually.
For over 25 years, Rabalais has dedicated her career to understanding and
mitigating the effects of human-induced changes in water quality,
particularly the long-term environmental impacts of excess nutrients and
petroleum contamination on marine ecosystems. She has successfully
advocated major national legislation and policy changes to protect marine
environments.
Rabalais is renowned for her seminal research on understanding and
characterizing hypoxia, or severe oxygen depletion, in water resources,
bringing this crucial issue to the forefront of water science. Hypoxia is
an extensive and persistent phenomenon that is caused by increased
nutrients in water. Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, can lead
to excessive growth of algae, which in turn can damage marine habitats and
harm marine organisms due to lack of oxygen in the water. These "dead
zones" significantly impact commercial and recreational fisheries and the
health of coastal environments. At present, there are 400 dead zones
along the world's coasts, many of which are located near the mouths of
river systems.
Since the mid-1980s, Rabalais has been the driving force behind
identifying and characterizing the dynamics of the large hypoxic region in
the Gulf of Mexico, which receives excess nutrients from the Mississippi
River. For instance, her team recognized that much of the nutrients in
the Mississippi River originated from agricultural runoff caused by
increased fertilizer application and artificial soil drainage. Such
efforts have delineated the relationship between a large, nutrient-rich
river, its watershed, the nutrients in the discharge, and the coastal
ecosystem, and have resulted in national and international interest, such
as an Action Plan endorsed by states, federal agencies, and tribes to
reduce hypoxia through improved nutrient management in the Mississippi
River watershed and coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
From providing congressional testimony to working with local elementary
schools, Rabalais consistently keeps the hypoxia issue before the
scientific community, policy makers, and general public. She continues to
conduct critical fundamental work in the area, and serves on numerous
boards and panels, such as the Scientific Steering Committee of the
Land-Ocean Interactions of the Coastal Zone of the International
Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, the National Research Council Committee on
the Mississippi River and the Clean Water Act, and the National Science
Foundation Advisory Committee to the Environmental Research and Education
directorate. She is considered one of the most prolific researchers
focused on marine water quality.
Established in honor of NWRI's co-founder, the late Athalie Richardson
Irvine Clarke, the Clarke Prize is awarded to outstanding research
scientists who are currently active in the water and wastewater fields. It
is one of only a dozen water prizes awarded worldwide and has been
distinguished by the International Congress of Distinguished Awards as one
of the most prestigious awards in the world.
Recent past recipients of the Clarke Prize include: environmental engineer
James L. Barnard, Ph.D., P.E., of Black & Veatch Corporation (2007);
water-quality engineer Philip C. Singer, Ph.D., P.E., of the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2006); water-quality engineer Menachem
Elimelech, Ph.D., of Yale University (2005); water-quality engineer Vernon
L. Snoeyink, Ph.D., of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
(2004); wastewater engineer George Tchobanoglous, Ph.D., P.E., of the
University of California, Davis (2003); and microbiologist Harry F.
Ridgway, Ph.D., of AquaMem Consultants (2002).
More information about the Clarke Prize can be found at
www.nwri-usa.org/ClarkePrize.
For more information, please contact:
Gina Melin Vartanian, NWRI (714) 378-3278
Jeff Mosher, NWRI (714) 378-3278
www.nwri-usa.org
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12th Annual Save Our Lake & Coast Fishing Rodeo
The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation's 12th Annual Save Our Lake
Fishing Rodeo is casting off soon. Grab your rod and reel for 2 days of
fishing and family fun on Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th, 2008.
Participants are welcome to fish anywhere in the Pontchartrain Basin. If
you think you've caught a winner, you can weigh in at our weigh station,
Seabrook Harbor.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic snacks and join Chairman,
Dwight Montz (Seabrook Harbor) and Honorary Chairman Kevin Houser (New
Orleans Saints) at our Awards Picnic at Seabrook Harbor. Participants
will enjoy fantastic food provided by Outback Steakhouse and beverages.
Master of Ceremonies, Don Dubuc will be on hand to present awards to the
winners. We'll have lots of great door prizes!
Tickets are only $25 for adults and $10 for children under 16. Each
ticket includes one entry into the rodeo and awards picnic, a rodeo
t-shirt, a one-year membership to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
and two tickets to the Back to the Beach Festival on May 30, May 31 and
June 1!
All proceeds from the rodeo will benefit the LPBF. For more information
on how to join in the rodeo or become a sponsor, please call (504)
836-2205 or visit or website at
http://www.saveourlake.org/back_to_lake.htm.
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If you have moved, please send a current address to
lacoast@condor.nwrc.gov
WaterMarks will not be forwarded by the post office.
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