Contact: Noel Gerson (202) 208-6444 Cell:(202) 262-0289 Office of the Deputy Secretary
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUDGET PROTECTS LOUISIANA'S NATURAL AREAS
St. Francisville, Louisiana - Acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior today announced that the Department is undertaking a new regional initiative that will include land purchases and other resource investments to protect regionally significant natural areas and quality of life in Louisiana and the Lower Mississippi Valley.
A highlight of this commitment, announced today with Senator John Breaux and Senator Mary Landrieu, is a 2001 budget request for Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, LA. The proposed $4,000,000 Fish & Wildlife Service land acquisition request will help preserve one of the last remaining tracts in the Lower Mississippi Valley that is still unleveed.
"Louisiana and the greater Lower Mississippi Valley is a priority for the Department of the Interior. Preserving natural resources in the entire region is critical to the quality of life here", said Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes. "The Department's 2001 budget targets key land acquisition in Louisiana, as well as funding for natural areas management, restoration, historic preservation, education and recreation throughout the region," he said.
Deputy Secretary Hayes said that various Interior officials will be meeting with community leaders over the next few months to discuss how the Department's resources can be used to maintain the character of communities, improve economic opportunities, and preserve natural resources.
Interior's 2001 budget request protects natural resource and provides opportunities for recreation and tourism in Louisiana and throughout the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Overall request is approximately $53,000,000 million for land purchase, natural areas management, restoration, historic preservation, education and recreation throughout the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Other highlights include:
Bayou Teche, LA - The proposed $1,000,000 request will protect some of the last remaining bottomland forests and wetlands in Louisiana, providing habitat for the Louisiana Black Bear.
The U.S. Geological Survey has requested $5 million for biologic, geologic, and water research. This is an increase of $1.4 million to continue and accelerate research into coastal wetland erosion and land loss, improved methods for bottomland hardwood restoration, and causes of and mitigation for the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
The U.S. Geological Survey has requested $2 million to improve flood forecasting and provide for flood hazard mitigation to better protect lives and livelihoods in the Lower Mississippi Delta.
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance provides technical assistance and organizational support throughout the country for locally led conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives. RTCA will expand its extensive work in Louisiana based on the interests and requests of the community. Most notable is a new urban initiative that will include projects in Baton Rouge & New Orleans among others.
"Cat Island and Bayou Teche are both treasures of nature for Louisiana and the nation," said Sen. Breaux. "I commend the Department of Interior and the Nature Conservancy of Louisiana on working together to recognize the significance of this old-growth cypress tupelo forest and the need to preserve it as one of America's national treasures."
"Preserving and protecting our natural resources and treasures is not only important, it is our obligation to do so for future generations. These budget requests go a long way toward accomplishing this goal. Cat Island is a national treasure and this action will ensure that it is protected for the enjoyment of generations to come" Sen. Landrieu said. "I commend the Interior Department for recognizing the importance of Cat Island and the entire Mississippi Valley Region, not only to Louisiana but to the entire country. I also applaud the work of The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana, which has worked to preserve many sites in Louisiana."
