Why It Matters: The White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WLWCA) spans over 71,000 acres and has long been considered one of the most important areas in North America for wintering waterfowl and an important destination for sportsmen and women. Over the years, the WLWCA has been without adequate funding to repair and maintain critical infrastructure, such as levee repairs, water control pumps, and more, which has taken a negative toll on habitat maintenance and overall user experience.
Highlights:
- On April 3, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) attended the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Conservation Roundtable where the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority presented on the need for significant funding to improve the WLWCA.
- On May 5, CSF signed onto a coalition letter to Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Jeff Landry advocating for increased funding to the WLWCA.
- On May 12, CSF attended a meeting hosted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as well as Governor Jeff Landry where he expressed his support of the revitalization of the WLCWA, citing its significant importance to the state’s waterfowling community.
Ensuring access to quality outdoor experiences, such as what the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area can provide, is critical to ensuring the continuation of our time-honored traditions. Governor Landry recognizes that need.
The Coalition letter to Governor Landry stated: “We are grateful that you are making WLWCA a priority for state investment. The need for restoration, enhancement, and protection of WLWCA’s natural resources are indeed great. Using state and available federal funds to address coastal erosion, water management, levee maintenance, and habitat enhancement will provide a major investment in southwest Louisiana’s efforts to provide stability to the area’s diverse habitats, while also equipping LDWF and their staff with the resources they need to effectively manage for abundant waterfowl populations in the future.”
Two of the primary projects in need of funding are the Northern White Lake Shoreline Stabilization Project and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Shoreline Stabilization Project. These two projects would repair over 40 miles of shoreline that protect vital freshwater marshes from flooding events that could erode them into the lake. Flooding would also affect rice fields and other private property where habitat is managed for waterfowl and other wading shore birds if these necessary repairs are not completed soon.
CSF will continue to work alongside our partners, the Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, the LDWF, and Governor Landry’s office to support the revitalization of the WLWCA.
