2014 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries
RS 56:799.4 - White Lake Property Advisory Board

§799.4. White Lake Property Advisory Board

A. There is hereby created the White Lake Property Advisory Board within the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, which shall be domiciled in East Baton Rouge Parish.

B. The board shall be composed of members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, from nominations submitted as follows:

(1) Three members shall be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the following:

(a) Two nominees submitted by Ducks Unlimited.

(b) Two nominees submitted by Delta Waterfowl.

(c) Two nominees submitted by the Louisiana Nature Conservancy.

(d) Two nominees submitted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

(e) Two nominees submitted by the Louisiana Ornithological Society.

(f) Two nominees submitted by the Sierra Club.

(2) Three members shall be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the following:

(a) Two nominees submitted by the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

(b) Two nominees submitted by the Board of Supervisors of the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

(c) Two nominees submitted by the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System.

(3) One member appointed from a list of two nominees submitted by the Vermilion Parish Police Jury.

(4) Two members appointed from a list of four nominees submitted by the BP America Production Company.

(5) One member appointed from a list of two nominees, not members of the legislature, submitted by the speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

(6) One member appointed from a list of two nominees, not members of the legislature, submitted by the president of the Louisiana Senate.

(7) One member appointed at large.

(8) One member who shall be a resident of Ward 8 of Vermilion Parish.

(9) One member appointed from a list of two nominees submitted by the Vermilion Parish School Board.

C. Three members of the board shall at all times be residents of Vermilion Parish. All members appointed to the board shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Vacancies shall be appointed in the same manner as provided for the vacant member.

D. A minimum of seven of the members of the board shall have expertise in scientific disciplines pertinent to the management and conservation of the natural resources found on the White Lake Property.

E. The secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the board.

F. The board shall select from its members a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer. The board shall adopt rules, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, for the orderly transaction of business and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, and other business. A majority of the individuals appointed to the board shall constitute a quorum.

G. The members of the board shall serve without compensation, and shall not be eligible to engage in the taking of fish and game resources or other recreational activities on the White Lake Property at times and places when these activities are not also available to the general public.

H. Meetings of the board shall be held at a time and place as determined by the chairman or when requested by a majority of the board members, provided that the board shall meet no less than twice annually. Notices of all meetings of the board, together with an agenda of the business to come before the board, shall be provided to the public. The board shall be subject to the Open Meetings Law (R.S. 42:11 et seq.) and the Public Records Law (R.S. 44:1 et seq.).

I. The board may solicit and accept gifts and donations for the purposes set forth in R.S. 56:799.3(A)(4), to be deposited in and credited to the White Lake Property Fund.

J. The treasurer shall provide for full and accurate financial records to be maintained and the financial records of the board shall be subject to annual audit by the legislative auditor.

K. Concerning the White Lake Property, the board shall advise the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regarding:

(1) Administration, control, and management.

(2) Proper operation, management, and supervision of all activities consistent with the "conservation purposes" stated in the act of donation and subject to all of the other terms and conditions of the act of donation.

(3) Development and implementation of a conservation management plan consistent with the "conservation purposes" in the act of donation.

(4) Establishment and maintenance of a biodiversity wetlands center to be named the "BP Wetlands Center".

(5) Ensuring the protection of the natural resources.

(6) Preserving, protecting, and promoting the biological diversity.

(7) Undertaking land and water management projects that enhance or restore natural wetland and upland habitats.

(8) Promoting environmental education and research.

Acts 2004, No. 613, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2005, No. 106, §1; Acts 2008, No. 221, §1, eff. June 16, 2008.