Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA Water Control Structure Damage Advisory in Louisiana

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries 11.01.12

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is advising the public that the western water control structure on the Montegut marsh management unit within Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area presents a navigation hazard for boaters due to Hurricane Isaac damage.

The water control structure, just south of the town of Montegut on the north side of Wonder Lake in Terrebonne Parish, is the first of two water control structures boaters will observe when traveling east from the Humble Canal. The structure was washed out by storm surge from the hurricane. The public is advised that crossing the breach created by the washout is prohibited and fishing near it is hazardous.

During high tide events, the current through the levee breach is extremely dangerous. There is also submerged debris present that could damage and capsize boats, and injure passengers. LDWF is working with the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Terrebonne Levee District to expedite repairs.

Additionally, the Montegut marsh management unit is a “Limited Access Area” (LAA) and the use of watercraft with internal combustion engines from Sept. 1 through Jan. 31 is prohibited within that unit.

For more information, contact Shane Granier at 504-284-5264 or sgranier@wlf.la.gov.

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries – Enforcement Division(LDWF) is the fish & game regulatory agency of Louisiana. It has jurisdictionanywhere in the state, and in state territorial waters. The agency enforces both state and federal laws dealing with hunting, fishing, and boating safety. The agency also enforces criminal laws in rural areas including DWI enforcement both on highways and waterways. Most of the Department’s Wildlife Agents also carry Federal law enforcement commissions issued from the United States Department of the Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and United States Department of Commerce - U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These federal commissions allow these state officers to enforce federal migratory waterfowl laws and federal marine fisheries laws in state and federal waters off the coast of Louisiana. Besides their traditional role as a “game warden”, Louisiana Wildlife Enforcement Agents also have a number of other responsibilities, including conducting board of health inspections on some portions of the state’s commercial fishing industry. Agents are trained in and conduct numerous search and rescue operations, both in remote land areas and on the state’s waterways. Agents ensure that hunters, anglers, boaters, dealers, breeders, farmers, and transporters are in compliance with regulations governing equipment, quotas, licenses, and registrations. Agents also assist other State departments and law enforcement agencies in the coordination of educational and professional endeavors, as well as national and state emergency alerts by the Federal Office of Emergency Preparedness. In addition, agents perform search and rescue missions alone or in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies.