White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area: An Asset for Louisiana

The White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area is a unique combination of freshwater marsh and crop land located in the southwest portion of Vermilion Parish. The area encompasses more than 70,000 acres including approximately 18,000 acres of reclaimed marshland suitable for rice and crawfish production as well as pasture for cattle. The remainder of the area is marshland under various levels of water management and control.

The conservation area is owned by the state of Louisiana and under the direct control of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The area was given to the state by BP Amoco, which had used it as a hunting preserve. The White Lake area has the well-deserved reputation as one of the best overall hunting spots for waterfowl in North America. Massive numbers of ducks, geese and other non-game waterfowl species overwinter in the area, which is a haven for these birds because of the high level of land and water management.

One of the most important components of the management scheme is the 10,000-acre refuge on the southwest part of the property just north of White Lake. The refuge is surrounded by protection levees and has three large pumps that allow the refuge to be drained or flooded as needed. The refuge is de-watered each spring to allow for germination and growth of a number of grass species, which produce good forage for waterfowl throughout the summer. As the fall approaches, the refuge is flooded, and the depth is maintained to allow waterfowl access to this vegetation throughout the winter. Also, this area is never hunted. This combination of no hunting pressure, abundant feed and optimum water depth has led to tremendous numbers of birds using the refuge during the winter.

The crop land also provides great value to the area as a waterfowl habitat. Rice fields reflooded in the fall provide excellent habitat for waterfowl. The residual rice grain remaining on the ground after harvest as well as any unharvested ratoon crop grain provide an outstanding food source for ducks and geese.

When the area was turned over to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries within the past year, an Advisory Board was established to provide input to the department on how best to manage the area to serve the citizens of this state. The board includes 14 individuals representing various areas of expertise and interest. They are appointed by the governor and serve with no remuneration. The function of this board is to provide guidance to the department on how best to utilize, maintain and finance the operation of the conservation area. I currently serve as the chair of this group.

Utilization of the White Lake area is a critical issue. Overuse would definitely be detrimental, but providing access is of prime importance. Plans are under development to allow more public access for fishing as well as non-consumptive activities such as birding and sightseeing. One factor that leads to the uniqueness of the property is that it is only accessible by boat. However, this also leads to some difficulty in making the property more accessible to the public.

Providing adequate funding to maintain and improve the area is also of major importance. The budget for the property is made up primarily of self-generated funds from farming leases, private and lottery hunts, trapping, alligator trapping and egg collection, etc. BP Amoco also provides $250,000 annually.

There are a number of major issues that will need to be addressed. Hurricane Rita caused massive damage to many of the protection levees as well as one of the pumping stations. An early estimate is that it will cost more than $200,000 to repair the damages. Also, because of the current unfavorable economic situation facing south Louisiana rice producers, many are considering cutting back on rice acreage, which is critical to the area’s productivity as a haven for waterfowl. Therefore, the board and department are trying to help the rice producers weather the current economic situation to assure the area will continue to have rice production.

Another major project is the construction of a boat launch and parking area near the area to facilitate public accessibility. Long-term plans include a visitor’s center that will also serve as an education and outreach facility. The White Lake area can provide an excellent venue for educating our youth on the importance of our coastal marshes to the environmental, economic, and cultural viability of southwest Louisiana.

The White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area is a unique and important asset to Louisiana and while it presents numerous issues that must be addressed, it will provide a great source of enjoyment and education for many generations of Louisiana citizens.