PRESS RELEASE Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Forestry
The preliminary assessment focuses on department-owned properties and is based on air and ground surveys conducted by LDWF Wildlife Division personnel between Sept. 5 and 10. The report includes waterfowl habitat assessments across the state’s coastal zone from the Texas state line to the mouth of the Mississippi River and aerial coverage of Catahoula Lake. Among the report findings, Attakapas Wildlife Management Area (WMA), within Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes, received heavy damage to black willow stands. Higher than normal water and localized flooding was noted in Maurepas Swamp WMA in St. John the Baptist Parish. Red River/Three Rivers WMAs in Concordia experienced low to moderate tree line damage on batture areas along the Mississippi River. Heavy flooding was noted on Russell Sage, Ouachita and Boeuf WMAs from rains that raised water levels in the Boeuf River and Bayou LaFourche. Those three WMAs include state-owned acres in Ouachita and Caldwell parishes. The complete report is available at www.wlf.louisiana.gov and can be accessed via the Hurricane Preparation and Response banner under the link titled “Preliminary Impacts to Wildlife Resources from Hurricane Gustav.” EDITORS: For more information, contact Kenny Ribbeck at 225-765-2346 or kribbeck@wlf.louisiana.gov.
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