At its meeting on Tuesday, the Lafayette city-parish council adopted a resolution in support state Constitutional Amendment No. 4 on the Nov. 4 ballot. The amendment raises the amount of severance taxes the state is required to share with parishes in which the severance taxes are generated. The state constitution currently requires the state to share 20 percent of oil and gas tax revenue with parishes, but the max each parish can receive is capped at $850,000. Amendment No. 4 would increase that cap to $1.85 million for fiscal year 2009 and $2.85 million thereafter. Each year after 2010, the cap would be adjusted upward for inflation. The amendment also would dedicate 50 percent of the additional severance tax revenue parishes receive after July 1, 2009, to transportation projects eligible to receive funds from the Parish Transportation Fund. The amendment is obviously drawing widespread support from local governments in oil-producing parishes, who argue they should be allowed to keep and re-invest more of these tax dollars locally.
Another portion of the amendment, which has some local environmentalists and crawfishermen opposing the change, creates the Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund. The amendment dedicates 50 percent of severance tax revenue collected on state lands - up to $10 million annually - to the fund, which would go toward Atchafalaya Basin Program projects. The Atchafalaya Basin Program has come under some fire in recent years, due to controversy surrounding its lone major water quality project at Bayou Postillion. Read more about the Bayou Postillion project here .
Executive Director, Louisiana Wildlife Federation written by Randy Lanctot , October 30, 2008 - 07:25 pm
The following conservation/environmental/sportsmen's organizations have endorsed Proposition # 4: Louisiana Wildlife Federation (Barney Callahan, President); National Wildlife Federation (Maura Wood, Senior Louisiana Coastal Program Manager); National Audubon Society (G. Paul Kemp, Ph D, Vice President Gulf Coast Initiative); Louisiana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy (Karen Gautreaux, Government Relations Director); Ducks Unlimited (Jennifer Grand ââ?¬â?? Louisiana Public Affairs Director) Black Bear Conservation Committee (Paul Davidson, Executive Director); Association of Louisiana Bass Clubs (Dan Touchet, President); Louisiana B.A.S.S Federation Nation (Will Courtney and Barry Joffrion, Field Directors); Jefferson Rod & Gun Club (Clint Mouser, President); East Ascension Sportsmanââ?¬â?¢s League (Dane Bourgeois, President) Rapides Wildlife Association (Marty Floyd, President). Their statement of support follows.
Voters have an opportunity in this election to take an important step toward improving water quality, wildlife habitat, and public recreation in the great Atchafalaya Basin, a natural area of international significance right on our doorstep that needs our help. Proposition # 4 calls for increasing the share of state revenue from oil and gas production received by the parishes where the minerals are produced. More importantly for all nature-lovers, conservationists and sportsmen, Prop 4 would direct up to $10 million from oil/gas production on state lands in the Basin toward accomplishing the goals of the state�s Atchafalaya Basin Master Plan.
Recently adopted legislation providing for more comprehensive project review and public participation, as well as the commitment of Secretary Angelle and his staff to that process, reinforces our confidence in the Department of Natural Resources� Atchafalaya Basin Program. Strong leadership at DNR is a key to accomplishing the goals of the Basin Master Plan. We believe that the time is right to re-invest a small portion of the wealth now being generated from oil and gas production in the Atchafalaya Basin to improved stewardship of its fisheries, wildlife, land and water resources. Accordingly, we support Proposition # 4 on the 2008 general election ballot and urge its adoption by the citizens of the state.
Proposition # 4 written by Randy Lanctot , October 30, 2008 - 07:29 pm
Please change "title of previous message to Conservation Groups Support Proposition # 4.
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Voters have an opportunity in this election to take an important step toward improving water quality, wildlife habitat, and public recreation in the great Atchafalaya Basin, a natural area of international significance right on our doorstep that needs our help. Proposition # 4 calls for increasing the share of state revenue from oil and gas production received by the parishes where the minerals are produced. More importantly for all nature-lovers, conservationists and sportsmen, Prop 4 would direct up to $10 million from oil/gas production on state lands in the Basin toward accomplishing the goals of the state�s Atchafalaya Basin Master Plan.
Recently adopted legislation providing for more comprehensive project review and public participation, as well as the commitment of Secretary Angelle and his staff to that process, reinforces our confidence in the Department of Natural Resources� Atchafalaya Basin Program. Strong leadership at DNR is a key to accomplishing the goals of the Basin Master Plan. We believe that the time is right to re-invest a small portion of the wealth now being generated from oil and gas production in the Atchafalaya Basin to improved stewardship of its fisheries, wildlife, land and water resources. Accordingly, we support Proposition # 4 on the 2008 general election ballot and urge its adoption by the citizens of the state.