2/19/2007

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

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on the Compatibility Determination for Hunting at Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge

A Compatibility Determination for Hunting on Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Concordia Parish is available for a 14-day public review beginning February 14, 2007. The comment period will end February 28, 2007.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is in the process of opening newly acquired land on Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) to hunting. Prior to opening new lands for hunting on the Refuge, Federal law requires that the Service first determine that these uses are compatible with Refuge purposes. A compatible use is any use of a National Wildlife Refuge that, based on sound professional judgment, will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System mission or the purposes for establishing the Refuge. The Service develops a compatibility determination to facilitate evaluation of proposed refuge uses, including anticipated impacts and stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility. A draft compatibility determination has been crafted for the proposed uses and is currently available for public review.

Copies of the Compatibility Determination 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 document, or questions can be directed to Bradley Bordelon, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, at P.O. Box 1772, Ferriday, LA. 71334; (318) 336-7119 x12. 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.