HLS 12RS-1635 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 49
BY REPRESENTATIVE ORTEGO
WATERWAYS/SCENI C RIVERS: Requests the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to study
Bayou Teche for possible inclusion into the Historic and Scenic Rivers program
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study Bayou Teche for2
possible inclusion into the Historic and Scenic Rivers program.3
WHEREAS, Bayou Teche is a one-hundred-thirty-five mile long waterway of great4
cultural and historic significance in south central Louisiana where it was the main course of5
the Mississippi River at one time and where the river caused a delta to develop sometime6
between three thousand and five thousand years ago; and7
WHEREAS, Bayou Teche begins in Port Barre as it draws water from Bayou8
Courtableau and then flows southward to meet the Lower Atchafalaya River near Morgan9
City, flowing through the parishes of St. Landry, St. Martin, Iberia, and St. Mary; and10
WHEREAS, the name "Teche" is a Chitimacha Indian word meaning "snake", which11
aptly describes the bayou's twists and turns which resemble a snake's movement as the water12
flows towards the Gulf of Mexico; and13
WHEREAS, Bayou Teche was the primary waterway that brought exiled Acadians14
from present day Nova Scotia to South Louisiana, was a focus of conflict during the15
American Civil War, and up until construction of the levees along the Atchafalaya River in16
the 1930's, served as an important route of commerce in southeast Louisiana; and17
WHEREAS, Bayou Teche has served as a vital link between thriving communities18
of south central Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, a link that has been used by everyone19
from Native Americans and French explorers to nineteenth century steamboat captains and20 HLS 12RS-1635 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 49
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twentieth century loggers and fishermen and was a major waterway through much of south1
central Louisiana's history; and2
WHEREAS, inclusion in the Louisiana Historic and Scenic Rivers system would3
greatly increase acknowledgment of Bayou Teche for its historic and cultural value and4
would help to increase recreation and tourism on the bayou and in communities along the5
bayou.6
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby7
urge and request the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study Bayou Teche for possible8
inclusion into the Historic and Scenic Rivers program.9
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the10
secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.11
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Ortego HCR No. 49
Requests the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to study Bayou Teche for possible inclusion
into the Historic and Scenic Rivers program.