ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 3
BY REPRESENTATIVES BEAULLIEU AND BOURRIAQUE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To amend the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rule, LAC 76:III.111(B), which
provides that a self-clearing permit is required for all activities on department-
administered land, including wildlife refuges.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has historically
required all persons utilizing Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) to complete a self-
clearing permit providing information about their activities on the property; and
WHEREAS, self-clearing permits are a valuable tool used by the Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries to manage WMAs, leverage federal grants, and to provide the best
services and opportunities for the WMA users; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, office of wildlife
has recently undergone a reorganization to place management of all department managed
properties including WMAs, refuges, and conservation areas under the same section for the
purpose of establishing a more uniform and cohesive management of the department's
properties; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the reorganization, in June of 2022 the Louisiana Wildlife
and Fisheries Commission promulgated a final rule to extend the requirement for self-
clearing permits to users of all department-administered lands, including wildlife refuges and
wildlife conservation areas in addition to WMAs; and
WHEREAS, wildlife refuges provide critical habitat designed for the preservation
and protection of wildlife and aquatic life and recreational activities are generally limited to
fishing, and non-consumptive uses; and
WHEREAS, the self-clearing permit requirement on the department-administered
lands of the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge and the Marsh Island Refuge is found to place a
burden on recreational users of the land that exceeds the data collection and management
benefits that the permits provide to the department.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HCR NO. 3 ENROLLED
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of Louisiana that LAC
76:III.111(B) is hereby amended to read as follows:
ยง111. Access and Permits
* * *
B. Self-Clearing Permits. A self-clearing permit is required for all activities
(hunting, fishing, hiking, bird watching, sightseeing, etc.) on department-
administered lands including wildlife refuges, except for the Rockefeller Wildlife
Refuge and the Marsh Island Wildlife Refuge, and wildlife management and habitat
conservation areas. The self-clearing permit will consist of two portions: check in,
check out. All persons must either check in/check out electronically through the
department WMA/public land self-clearing permit app/Internet Web Portal or obtain
a self-clearing permit from an information station. Users may check in one day in
advance of use. Users that check in by electronic means are required to possess
proof of check in and must check out within 24 hours. If utilizing paper self-clearing
permits from an information station, check in portion must be completed and put in
a permit box before each day's activity. The check out portion must be carried by
each person while on the properties and must be completed and put in a permit box
immediately upon exiting the properties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
office of the state register and to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the office of the state register is hereby directed
to have the amendments to LAC 76:III:111(B) printed and incorporated into the Louisiana
Administrative Code.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.