U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge

Contacts:
Bradley Bordelon, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, (318) 336-7119 x12

A draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Concordia Parish is available for public review on Feb 14, 2007.  The comment period will extend until March 14, 2007.

The plan describes two alternatives for hunting on the refuge: (1) the no action alternative would continue the hunting program that is currently in place and (2) the proposed action would open an additional 1,500 acres of hunting on the Hoover Slough Unit of the refuge and conduct a nuisance animal control feral hog hunt.  Under the proposed action, hunting of deer, rabbits, squirrels, coyote, hogs, beaver, and migratory birds such as waterfowl and woodcock would occur on the additional acreage.  Hunting would be carried out in accordance with Federal and State of Louisiana regulations, and refuge-specific regulations. 

Copies of the plan can be requested from the refuge and copies are available for review at the following libraries: Concordia Parish Library, 1609 South Third Street, Ferriday, Louisiana 71334, and Concordia Parish Library, 405 Carter Street, Vidalia, Louisiana 71373.
                                   
Written comments, requests for the plan, or questions can be directed to Bradley Bordelon, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, at P.O. Box 1772, Ferriday, LA  71334; (318) 336-7119 x 12.  Email comments can be provided to the following address: bradley_bordelon@fws.gov.

The Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge is currently 14,668 acres and is located in Concordia Parish of Louisiana.  Hunting opportunities are available, along with fishing, wildlife observation, photography, and environmental education. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.  The Service manages the 94 million acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas.  It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations.  The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts.  It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.