SLS 14RS-240 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 2 Regular Session, 2014 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 181 BY SENATOR NEVERS WATER/WATERWAYS. Requests the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to build an artificial reef on Lake Maurepas. A RESOLUTION1 To urge and request the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to build an artificial reef in2 Lake Maurepas.3 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has been endowed with natural beauty that draws4 countless sportsmen and tourists every year and should expend the necessary resources to5 preserve its most important sanctuaries; and6 WHEREAS, Lake Maurepas is regarded as central to the Louisiana outdoor and7 fishing experience; and8 WHEREAS, the lake is a treasured ecosystem and home to a variety of fish and9 wildlife, and is surrounded by camping and recreations facilities and the Maurepas Swamp10 Wildlife Management Area; and11 WHEREAS, the lake is home to abundant largemouth bass, smallmouth bass,12 crappie, catfish, and striped bass and efforts should be made to protect the populations of13 fish so that they may be enjoyed for future generations of fisherman who come to enjoy Lake14 Maurepas's waters; and15 WHEREAS, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries coordinates and manages the16 Artificial Reef Program in which sustainable habitats are created to help preserve and protect17 healthy populations of fish; and18 SR NO. 181 SLS 14RS-240 ORIGINAL Page 2 of 2 WHEREAS, because it is a vital part of the ecosystem of southeastern Louisiana and1 an important spot for recreational fisherman, an artificial reef in Lake Maurepas is necessary2 to help preserve its fish population.3 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana4 does hereby urge and request the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to build an artificial5 reef in Lake Maurepas.6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the7 secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.8 The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee. DIGEST Nevers SR No. 181 Requests DWF to build an artificial reef in Lake Maurepas.