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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 18
BY SENATOR MORRISH
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request 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.
WHEREAS, a joint study is needed to determine ecosystem service values associated
with approximately fifteen hundred acres of vertical oyster reef structures known as the
Sabine Reef in Sabine Lake; and
WHEREAS, the coastal area has dramatically changed with twenty-three hundred
square miles of documented land loss since the 1930's due to subsidence, changes in river
management, and other natural causes and events that threaten the sustainability of the
coastal ecosystem and dependent uses; and
WHEREAS, oyster reefs provide shoreline protection, wave attenuation,
improvements to water quality, and improved habitat diversity for wildlife populations,
including oysters, shrimp, crabs, commercial and recreational fish species, and birds; and
WHEREAS, the Sabine Reef is approximately fifteen hundred acres that have not
been harvested since 1966 due to water quality problems in the area and may be the largest
remaining vertical reef in North America; and
WHEREAS, in March 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued
a health clearance for the Sabine Reef from previous water quality issues and management
decisions regarding the future of the reef; and
WHEREAS, the commercial oyster industry is requesting that the Sabine Reef be
opened to harvest, citing the challenges associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil leak
incident and subsequent impacts to the commercial harvesting and processing of oysters; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for Sustainable Coastal
Ecosystems requires integration and consideration of all state coastal actions and policies;
and SCR NO. 18 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, in recognition of
numerous stakeholders' interest and concerns regarding management of the Sabine Reef, has
established an advisory committee to identify issues to be considered and make
recommendations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request that 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 located in Sabine Lake and report their findings and recommendations to the Senate
Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment by February 1, 2012.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive director of the office of coastal protection and restoration and the secretary of the
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES