Elmer

3/6/2010

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) passed a declaration of emergency on March 4 to amend the notice of intent, modifying a proposed rule regarding visitor access to Elmer?s Island Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson Parish.

The change to the proposed rules waives the requirement for a Wild Louisiana Stamp on Elmer?s Island. This change will supersede the declaration of emergency enacted on Nov. 20, 2009.

Effective immediately, the following regulations will be enforced by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries? Enforcement Division at Elmer?s Island:

1. Use of the refuge will be permitted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. This includes any land access routes to the refuge. No person or vehicle shall remain on the Elmer?s Island Wildlife Refuge or any land access routes during the period from 30 minutes after official sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

2. No person shall possess any glass bottles, glass drink containers or other glass products on Elmer?s Island Wildlife Refuge.

3. The Secretary of the Department may restrict access to the refuge whenever circumstances exist such that restrictions are necessary to protect the public from harm. No person shall enter onto or be on the grounds of Elmer?s Island Wildlife Refuge during a restricted access period; or alternatively shall do so only in accordance with restrictions set forth by the Secretary.

4. No person shall discharge or fire any firearms including muzzleloaders, or bows and arrows or crossbows on Elmer?s Island.

5. No person shall commercially fish, conduct any guiding service, hunt, pursue, kill, molest or intentionally disturb any type of wildlife on the refuge, except for the legal recreational harvest of living aquatic resources.

6. No person shall be in areas marked as restricted by signs posted by the department.

7. No person shall operate any vehicles in a restricted area. No person shall operate a vehicle in an unsafe or careless manner as to endanger life or property or at any speed in excess of five miles per hour.

8. The requirement of a Wild Louisiana Stamp on Elmer?s Island Wildlife Refuge is herby waived.

There is no permit required for Elmer's Island access by anyone 15 years of age or younger. Those wishing to utilize the island for recreational purposes, ages 16 and above, must possess one of the following: a valid Wild Louisiana Stamp, a valid Louisiana fishing license or a valid Louisiana hunting license.

For more information, contact Ashley Wethey at 225-765-5113 or awethey@wlf.la.gov.

6-25-09

The road Elmer's Island will be opened from 1 half hour before sunrise starting Friday July 3, 2009

Till 1 half hour after sunset on Sunday July 5, 2009 for visitors to access the beach. The island was re-opened back in December but was only accessible by boat. The weekend of the 4th of July and every weekend thereafter until further

notice people will be able to drive on the road to the island.

Visitors are reminded that the road is still like it was before Hurricane Katrina with winding curves and should drive with caution.

The road will be closed a locked each night during the weekend from half hour after sunset till half hour before sunrise.

Visitors going to the island are also asked to please remove any items and trash brought with them when they leave.

Those wishing to utilize the island for recreational purposes, ages 16 and above, must possess one of the following: a valid Wild Louisiana Stamp, a valid Louisiana fishing license or a valid Louisiana hunting license.

This is a list of rules:

No nighttime activities.
No hunting.
No littering. Trash must be removed from the island by user(s).
No camping, fishing or recreational items may be left on the island overnight.
Vehicle parking is allowed on the beach for day-use activities.
Vehicle speed limit is 5 mph on the access road from LA 1 and on the beach.
The island will open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

12-15-08

Gov. Bobby Jindal announced Dec. 15 2008 that Elmer’s Island, a once popular destination for fishermen and campers, is open again to the public. The state is opening 250 acres of Elmer’s Island for public use after title research found that this portion of the island was recently formed from sediment and is therefore property of Louisiana.

The section that has been opened is currently accessible only by boat.

“Louisiana is Sportsman’s Paradise, and Elmer’s Island is certainly one of our state’s jewels, and we are excited to announce that it is now open to the public,” Jindal said at a press conference. “The state will keep this area as a recreation spot and a wildlife sanctuary, while also allowing fishing and bird watching. Louisiana is committed to making sure the beaches and marshes of Elmer’s Island and surrounding areas are restored and enhanced.”

For a small daily fee, Elmer’s Island was available to fishermen, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts who were allowed access to the beach on a narrow road through marsh from Highway 1. However, that access was closed following the death of, Jay Elmer, the owner of the land in which the access road was on.

The state has made efforts over the past years to purchase Elmer’s Island to allow for public fishing and recreation with no success. The state will continue working with representatives of the Elmer family to acquire the other 1400 plus acres for coastal restoration efforts and recreational use.

In addition to opening Elmer’s Island for recreational use, the Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration is working to restore the beach and wetlands in the area to repair damages caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and Gustav and Ike in the 2008 hurricane season by dedicating $71 million over the next two years to a large-scale restoration effort for the area.