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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 136
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
LEGIS POWERS/FUNCTIONS. Reactivates the Ancient Mounds Heritage Area and Trails
Advisory Commission.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the public policy of the state of Louisiana to provide for the protection of the2
mounds, ridges, and other features associated with the Monumental Earthworks of3
Poverty Point; to protect the agricultural setting, which enhances the education,4
inspiration, and enrichment of all who visit the Poverty Point Historic Site; and to5
reactivate the Ancient Mounds Heritage Area and Trails Advisory Commission to6
provide a framework for this protection.7
WHEREAS, the Poverty Point earthworks, located in Epps, Louisiana, were8
constructed approximately 3,400 years ago by a complex society of Native Americans; and9
WHEREAS, the Poverty Point earthworks have significantly shaped understanding10
of Native American cultural development and heritage in North America; and11
WHEREAS, the Poverty Point earthworks include mounds, concentric C-shaped12
ridges, and a massive plaza that contained circles of large wooden posts; and13
WHEREAS, Poverty Point, which is owned by the state of Louisiana and is managed14
by the Louisiana Office of State Parks as a state historic site, is currently listed as a National15
Historic Landmark and a National Monument; and16
WHEREAS, Poverty Point State Historic Site has been nominated to the UNESCO17
World Heritage List as a unique and exceptional testimony to a past cultural tradition; and18 SCR NO. 136
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WHEREAS, the designation as a World Heritage Site will attract domestic and1
international tourists to the Poverty Point State Historic Site and to the region, and will2
distinguish Louisiana both nationally and internationally; and3
WHEREAS, the largely open natural and agricultural landscape surrounding Poverty4
Point State Historic Site contributes to the understanding of the site; and5
WHEREAS, the setting of Poverty Point State Historic Site is treated by the6
Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office as an area of special consideration when7
advising federal agencies; and8
WHEREAS, the Ancient Mounds Trail initiative, led by the Ancient Mounds9
Heritage Area and Trails Advisory Commission, successfully worked with private10
landowners to mark and interpret thirty-nine mound sites in northeast and central Louisiana;11
and12
WHEREAS, the Heritage Management Plan for Poverty Point State Historic Site,13
National Monument & National Historic Landmark lists as a key management objective to14
nurture working relationships with other agencies, organizations, interested stakeholders,15
descendent groups, and neighbors to enhance site protection, management, presentation, and16
promotion; and17
WHEREAS, the Ancient Mounds Heritage Area and Trails Advisory Commission18
was established in 1997 as a private-public initiative to help preserve Louisiana's prehistoric19
patrimony and to better understand the state's heritage.20
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby21
reactivate the Ancient Mounds Heritage Area and Trails Advisory Commission, which shall22
be composed of four members appointed by the lieutenant governor who are domiciled in23
northeast or central Louisiana (at least two of which are domiciled in West Carroll or East24
Carroll parishes); four members from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor/Louisiana25
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; the Poverty Point Station Archaeologist;26
and two members representing federally recognized Indian tribes.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the Ancient Mounds Heritage Area28
and Trails Advisory Commission shall receive no compensation for their service on the29
commission.30 SCR NO. 136
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ancient Heritage Area and Trails Advisory1
Commission will establish diverse strategies for maintaining protection of the setting2
surrounding Poverty Point State Historic Site; will facilitate communication among3
stakeholders; will encourage archaeological study of the area; and will provide for cultural4
enhancement, educational opportunities, and tourism development. The commission shall5
advise the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism about preservation and6
safety measures regarding Poverty Point State Historic Site and its setting.7
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Dawn Romero Watson.
DIGEST
Thompson SCR No. 136
Reactivates the Ancient Mounds Heritage Area and Trails Advisory Commission.