Delta Waterfowl Applauds Commitment to Restore Critical Duck Habitat in Louisiana

Delta Waterfowl is celebrating a major win for ducks and duck hunters in Southwest Louisiana.

Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Jeff Landry, critical funding has been secured through the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Master Plan to support waterfowl habitat projects across the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area. The proposal allocates $29 million for levee restoration to prevent saltwater intrusion, improve flood protection, and preserve key marsh habitat for wintering waterfowl.

“As an avid hunter and conservationist, I know that the better we operate our state-owned conservation areas, the better the hunting opportunity,” Landry said. “White Lake is a priority, and I have the utmost faith in this administration, Royal Engineering, and CPRA to see this plan through.”

The White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area, which spans 71,905 acres in Vermilion Parish, has historically provided key wintering waterfowl habitat and important access for waterfowl hunters. In recent decades, hurricanes have battered the property, greatly decreasing its value to waterfowl, wildlife, and hunters.

“Delta Waterfowl applauds Gov. Landry and his administration, members of the legislature, and leadership at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for their commitment to funding these vital projects across the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area,” said Cyrus Baird, senior director of government affairs for Delta Waterfowl. “This funding and future work will be critical to ensuring White Lake remains an important destination for wintering waterfowl and duck hunters alike in southwest Louisiana.”

The first phase of project calls for construction of 20 miles of rip rap along the Great Intercoastal Waterway to keep saltwater out and prevent erosion.

“This work represents the culmination of years of hard work and conversations between Delta Waterfowl, our volunteers and leadership from LDWF,” Baird said. “Seeing it realized will mean fulfilling a promise to Delta Waterfowl volunteer Brandon Broussard, who was the driving force behind this effort before he passed away.”

Broussard was a “super volunteer” from Abbeville who served as chairman of Delta’s Vermilion Chapter and the Louisiana State Committee. He relentlessly championed the revitalization of White Lake until his death in June 2023.