One of the biggest public funded good ol boy refuges ever.

Do you ever read any of the minutes from the meetings?

May 2009

Mr. Bob Love reported to the Board of the possibility of bringing whooping cranes back to White Lake and that the Department is committed to doing this. Mr. Love said that we may be able to obtain two display whooping cranes. Mr. Love stated the area required to build a display facility for the two whooping cranes will need to be approximately 150 yards by 150 yards and the cost is approximately $500,000. Mr. Love said the purpose of these two birds is promotion and public acceptance of the concept of re-introducing whooping cranes back to southwest Louisiana marsh and rice country. Mr. Love stated the birds must have their own lagoon with an amphitheater,

Mr. Sweeney stated there is a new tenant who leased the property to the east of the Florence Canal. Mr. Sweeney said the man is one of the owners of Louisiana Crane and believes he will be an excellent tenant. Mr. Sweeney reported the new lessee bid $50,500 on that lease and the lease is for five years and the lessee will have three (3) five year options to renew. Mr. Sweeney believes there will be some improvements made to that property. Mr. Sweeney said we had been receiving $22,000 from the prior lessee, so this is a significant increase to the budget. (you think?)

There was discussion amongst the board members regarding activities on the property that are prohibited/permitted by board members and their immediate family members. It was requested by the members to Ms. Guidry that she send them via email the statutory definition of “immediate family”. (yeh, Id like to know what they get to do out there that we can't too)

April 2009

Department Financial Report

Board members were provided a copy of the financial report. Mr. Wayne Sweeney addressed the Board and discussed the remaining budget and the expenditures. Chairman Linscombe requested Mr. Sweeney briefly go through and explain the various income sources to the new board members. Mr. Sweeney stated that the hunt trip fees are fees that are charged for group hunts. He informed them that we have been charging $25,000 for a two day group hunt activity which is a completely outfitted hunt and that 14 group hunts were sold during this past waterfowl season. Mr. Sweeney reported to them that the Board approved to increase that fee to $30,000 which was approved so that is what will be charged next season.

Mr. Sweeney reported there are five agricultural leases on the property that generate roughly $200,000 annually. He explained that we bill half of the lease payment in March and the other half of the lease payment in November. Mr. Sweeney stated that the farmers are waiting to see what happens with the saltwater from the levees that are still broken as to whether or not they will plant rice. He said they have all applied for the insurance. Mr. Sweeney stated that Kenneth and Kim who lease the farm on the south side of the Intracoastal have indicated they are going to plant 500 – 600 acres. Mr. Sweeney said he spoke to Glen Ray this morning regarding whether he was going to plant and he indicated it depends on the water situation. Mr. Sweeney reported that Kersey and Larry said the same thing.

Mr. Sweeney reported the lease east of the Florence Canal is currently up for bid and advertisements were placed this past Sunday. He stated that bids will be accepted through the end of this month and the bid opening is April 28. Mr. Sweeney said the minimum bid for this lease is $50,000 and it does include hunting rights. Mr. Sweeney stated this lease contains approximately 2,800 acres, which includes the east side marsh and the lessee will be able to put up blinds in that marsh.

Mr. Sweeney reported that the property contains 23 hunting leases which generate approximately $100,000 in revenue.

Mr. Sweeney stated that the alligator egg collection was recently bid out, but no bids were received. He reported there was a minimum bid price of $18 per egg. Mr. Sweeney said he believes the alligator farmers have been asked by the hide buyers/tanners not to collect the eggs this year because there is an oversupply of alligators. Mr. Sweeney stated a decision will have to be made as to whether or not we will lower the minimum bid and re-bid the egg collection, but he feels even if that occurs the State will still probably not receive any bids. Mr. Sweeney reported this will more than likely cause $120,000 - $150,000 of revenues to be lost. Chairman Linscombe stated from what he has been hearing, he doesn’t believe any bids will be submitted either.


Mr. Sweeney explained that the lottery hunt fees are the fees charged for the rice field and marsh hunts. He stated it is just a minimum fee to recoup our costs and is roughly $40,000 annually. He reported that there were 23 rice field hunts and 8 marsh lottery hunts this past hunting season. Mr. Sweeney informed them the fees for these hunts will be increased by $25 per hunt beginning next hunting season.

Mr. Sweeney explained that there was no income received from crawfish last year but he believes some will be received this year, but feels it will be a minimal amount.

Unbelievable.

I need to get me a spot on that board! Where is White Lake and whats the background on it?

This is a 70,000 + acre tract donated by BP to the state and run by the LA W&F. It's located NW of Pecan Island and S of Guydan. He'll, it's even a lottery fishing deal.

I don't have all the figures and facts right in front of me, but it went a little something like this. It was a crooked deal from the beginning. BP owed the state something like $25 million in fines and penalties for environmental issues. Instead of paying the fines, they worked out a deal with then gov. Mike Foster to donate the 70,000+ acres of prime waterfowl hunting land to the state, which would then be managed by a board that was headed by none other than the afore mentioned Governor. Pretty sweet deal for Foster and friends.

There was some public outcry and I think things have changed a little, but from what I've heard and read, it's still just a playground for the guys with big money and connections to the higher-ups.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you have to put up like $100 to get in the loterry and then if you get picked, you pay an additional couple hundred. IMO if you're gonna go thru all that crap just go get a guided hunt.

Typical Louisiana politics.

No doubt BP did it to relieve financial problems, not out the goodness of their hearts. I bet BP still holds oil and gas rights out there. Foster did the citizens of this state wrong on many levels. The whole place should either be open to the public like other WMAs or state lands. And yes, most I'd not all of that property could be prime waterfowl habitat. Ala Missouri.....

I apologize. I did a little internet research. I had a few facts and figures wrong. Here is the story the way it was described in The Times of Acadiana.

http://www.reesefuller.com/content/what ... white-lake

Rebeer said "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you have to put up like $100 to get in the loterry and then if you get picked, you pay an additional couple hundred. IMO if you're gonna go thru all that crap just go get a guided hunt."

I checked into it last year for shits and giggles just to see what it costs and it was somehting like what Reb said. But also you have to remember, there is NO lodging included. So if your coming from out of town it is really too far to drive-in for the morning, so your still going to have to find a hotel to put you closer, so chalk up another $100.

For what they want to charge, you are much better off paying same price and getting a fully guided hunt with lodge on premises. I bet you even get a bisuit with some gravy somewshere else.