SLS 11RS-487 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 18
BY SENATOR MORRISH
FISH/FISHING. Requests the office of coastal protection and restoration and the
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to jointly study shoreline protection, effects on marine
species diversity and habitat quality, and economic and other ecosystem service values of
the Sabine Reef.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the office of coastal protection and restoration and the Department of2
Wildlife and Fisheries to jointly study shoreline protection, effects on marine species3
diversity and habitat quality, and economic and other ecosystem service values of the4
Sabine Reef.5
WHEREAS, a joint study is needed to determine ecosystem service values associated6
with approximately fifteen hundred acres of vertical oyster reef structures known as the7
Sabine Reef in Sabine Lake; and8
WHEREAS, the coastal area has dramatically changed with twenty-three hundred9
square miles of documented land loss since the 1930's due to subsidence, changes in river10
management, and other natural causes and events that threaten the sustainability of the11
coastal ecosystem and dependent uses; and12
WHEREAS, oyster reefs provide shoreline protection, wave attenuation,13
improvements to water quality, and improved habitat diversity for wildlife populations,14
including oysters, shrimp, crabs, commercial and recreational fish species, and birds; and15
WHEREAS, the Sabine Reef is approximately fifteen hundred acres that have not16
been harvested since 1966 due to water quality problems in the area and may be the largest17
remaining vertical reef in North America; and18 SCR NO. 18
SLS 11RS-487 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, in March 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued1
a health clearance for the Sabine Reef from previous water quality issues and management2
decisions regarding the future of the reef; and3
WHEREAS, the commercial oyster industry is requesting that the Sabine Reef be4
opened to harvest, citing the challenges associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil leak5
incident and subsequent impacts to the commercial harvesting and processing of oysters; and6
WHEREAS, Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for Sustainable Coastal7
Ecosystems requires integration and consideration of all state coastal actions and policies;8
and9
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, in recognition of10
numerous stakeholders' interest and concerns regarding management of the Sabine Reef, has11
established an advisory committee to identify issues to be considered and make12
recommendations.13
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby14
urge and request that the office of coastal protection and restoration and the Department of15
Wildlife and Fisheries to jointly study shoreline protection, effects on marine species16
diversity and habitat quality, and economic and other ecosystem service values of the Sabine17
Reef located in Sabine Lake and report their findings and recommendations to the Senate18
Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and19
Environment by February 1, 2012.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the21
executive director of the office of coastal protection and restoration and the secretary of the22
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.23
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Michelle Broussard-Johnson
DIGEST
Morrish SCR No. 18
Requests the office of coastal protection and restoration and the Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries to jointly study shoreline protection, effects of marine species diversity and habitat
quality, and economic and other ecosystem service values of the Sabine Reef.