ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 55
BY REPRESENTATIVE ZERINGUE AND SENATORS AL LAIN AND FESI
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To create the Outdoor Conservation Study Group, to study and make recommendations
regarding conservation funding mechanisms as well as conservation programs that
could be generated from such funding.
WHEREAS, Louisiana is blessed with abundant fish and wildlife species and
globally important lands and waters which provide important habitats, improve the quality
of drinking water, and support commercial and recreational activities; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's agricultural industry includes working lands and forests that
are essential to sustainable habitats and economic productivity; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana is known as "Sportsman's Paradise" because its lands and
waters offer exceptional opportunities for both commercial and recreational activities that
inject billions of dollars into our economy annually; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, visitation to outdoor areas increased
dramatically and the mental and physical health benefits of access to such areas have been
documented; and
WHEREAS, conservation and preservation of these important lands and waters will
ensure that the value they provide is available to future generations; and
WHEREAS, many of Louisiana's important habitats are diminishing with inadequate
funding and resources to conserve them; and
WHEREAS, many of our neighboring states have increased investments in
conservation funding in order to leverage other funding opportunities for important habitats
in their state; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana is missing opportunities for matching funds available through
public and private sources that could be used to conserve important lands and waters in
urban and rural areas throughout our state; and
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WHEREAS, many states in the Southeast region have determined that establishing
a dedicated source of conservation funding has allowed them to greatly leverage their
investment in conserving important habitats and thirty-eight states have similarly dedicated
funding; and
WHEREAS, states have utilized different mechanisms to increase investments in
conservation funding, resulting in both conservation of important habitats as well as
increasing revenues to the state's economy; and
WHEREAS, the identification of financial opportunities and structures that would
provide sustained funding for enhanced conservation efforts is critical to the preservation
of fish and wildlife species and habitats, the improvement of drinking water, and the
continued support of commercial and recreational outdoor activities; and
WHEREAS, establishing dedicated sources of funding and investment mechanisms
based on a comprehensive study of potential solutions could generate tens of millions of
dollars for conservation in Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
create the Outdoor Conservation Study Group, whose duties shall be to study and make
recommendations regarding conservation funding and provides that, at a minimum, the study
shall include the following:
(1)Potential mechanisms to increase conservation funding for the state of
Louisiana.
(2)Potential programs for which such funds could serve as match.
(3)The purpose for which the conservation funds may be used.
(4)An administrative structure for the funds, including criteria for project
selection and method of disbursement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall be composed of the
following members:
(1)The governor or his designee.
(2)The executive assistant for the Governor's Office of Coastal Activities or his
designee.
(3)The commissioner of administration or his designee.
(4)The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or his designee.
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(5)The secretary of the Department of Natural Resources or his designee.
(6)The commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry or his
designee.
(7)The lieutenant governor or his designee.
(8)One member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
(9)One member appointed by the president of the Senate.
(10)The chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment or his designee.
(11)The chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources or his designee.
(12)Three members selected by the governor from nonprofit conservation
organizations having offices in Louisiana and engaged in conservation efforts
in the state.
(13)One member from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(14)One member from the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resource Conservation Service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members from the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service and the United States Department of Agriculture shall be nonvoting
members.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the member appointed by the speaker of the
House of Representatives shall call the first meeting of the study group at which meeting the
study group shall select a chair and other officers it deems necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana office of The Nature Conservancy
is hereby requested to provide any necessary staff support to the study group.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall submit a report with its
recommendations to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the
Senate Committee on Natural Resources by February 1, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
governor of the state of Louisiana, the executive assistant for the Governor's Office of
Coastal Activities, the commissioner of administration, the secretary of the Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries, the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, the Louisiana
office of The Nature Conservancy, the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and
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Forestry, the lieutenant governor, the principal deputy director of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, and the acting chief of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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