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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 82
BY REPRESENTATIVE ST. GERMAIN
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Harold Schoeffler in recognition of his advocacy to
promote and enhance the Atchafalaya Basin for Louisiana citizens
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend Harold Schoeffler for his tireless advocacy to promote and enhance the2
Atchafalaya Basin for Louisiana citizens.3
WHEREAS, the Atchafalaya Basin is the nation's largest and most productive river4
swamp, spanning eight parishes and covering more than eight hundred thousand acres; and5
WHEREAS, the Atchafalaya Basin's bottomland hardwoods, swamps, bayous, and6
backwater lakes are home to over two hundred fifty species of birds and more than one7
hundred species of fish that attracts thousands of anglers, boaters, campers, hunters,8
bicyclists, and bird-watchers each year; and9
WHEREAS, Harold Schoeffler has been active in the fight for conservation of10
Louisiana's coastal and wetland habitat, chief among them, the Atchafalaya Basin; and11
WHEREAS, Harold Schoeffler has served in leadership roles in several groups12
committed to these causes, including the Sierra Club, the Louisiana Coastal Coalition, and13
as a cofounder of Save Our Coast; and14
WHEREAS, Harold Schoeffler has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the Boy15
Scouts of America, first as a youth member and in adulthood as a decorated scouter serving16
as scoutmaster of Troop 405, having distinguished himself amongst his scouting peers by17
being nominated for, and presented with numerous awards in recognition of his work with18
scouting youth, including the Saint George Award, the Bronze Pelican, and the prestigious19
Silver Beaver Award; and20 HLS 14RS-2542 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 82
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WHEREAS, through Harold Schoeffler's decades of commitment to passing along1
the ideals of the Boy Scouts, and sharing his passion for preserving and experiencing the2
Atchafalaya Basin to younger generations, has made him uniquely qualified to identify the3
needs of user groups for undeveloped primitive lands for exploring, observing nature, and4
for camping; his committed leadership has led him to discover available, undeveloped state-5
owned land resources to meet these needs; and6
WHEREAS, the Atchafalaya Basin Program in the Department of Natural Resources,7
is the designated agency to coordinate state efforts in the Atchafalaya Basin with those of8
the federal government; and9
WHEREAS, the Atchafalaya Basin Program has a history of promoting public use10
of the basin including working to implement recreation projects in the Atchafalaya Basin;11
and12
WHEREAS, Harold Schoeffler nominated a project for increased use of the13
Atchafalaya Basin to the Atchafalaya Basin Program with minimal cost that involved the14
development of primitive camping areas on state-owned lands, and to facilitate this proposal,15
he provided the design and location of what has become thirty separate primitive campsites16
located on state-owned land in the Atchafalaya Basin available for all Louisianians to use,17
free of charge; and18
WHEREAS, the Atchafalaya Basin Program adopted the primitive campsite project19
nominated by Harold Schoeffler and the Louisiana Legislature approved the 2013 Basin20
Annual Plan including demarcation and publication of map coordinates for primitive21
campsites identified and designed by Harold Schoeffler; and22
WHEREAS, today and for generations to come, there are now thirty primitive23
campsites for all to enjoy, free of charge, in the Atchafalaya Basin.24
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby25
commend Harold Schoeffler for his advocacy for and promotion of access to, and increased26
use of public lands in the Atchafalaya Basin, does hereby express to him enduring27
appreciation for his distinguished service to the citizens of the state of Louisiana, and does28
hereby recognize and record his vital contributions and tireless dedication to the cause of29
promotion and preservation of the Atchafalaya Basin.30 HLS 14RS-2542 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 82
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted1
to Harold Schoeffler.2
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)]
St. Germain HCR No. 82
Commends Harold Schoeffler for his tireless advocacy to promote and enhance the
Atchafalaya Basin for Louisiana citizens.