ABOUT LDWF

BOARDS / COMMISSION MEMBERS

Boards:

The Hunting and Fishing Advisory Education Council

The Louisiana Fur and Alligator Advisory Council

The Louisiana Seafood Board

Louisiana Oyster Task Force

Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation

Commission Members:

While Louisiana's first wildlife conservation law was passed way back in 1857, and many regulations regarding oysters were passed in the late 1800's, it was not until 1909 that a formal body was appointed and given the task of overseeing wildlife and fisheries conservation in the State. Governor John Parker, an avid conservationist and friend and hunting partner of President Theodore Roosevelt, convinced the Louisiana Legislature in 1909 to create the Louisiana Board of Commissioners for the Protection of Birds, Game and Fish. One year later, in 1910, the Louisiana Oyster Commission (which had been created in 1902) merged with the Board of Commissioners to create the Louisiana Department of Conservation.

Act 127 of 1912 constitutionally created the Conservation Commission of Louisiana as a department of State government, with the mission of providing for the protection of birds, fish, shellfish, wild quadrupeds, forestry and mineral resources of the state.

Act 105 of 1918 changed the name of the agency back to the Department of Conservation, and directed that it be controlled by an officer known as the Commissioner of Conservation, who would be appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, for a term of four years.

The Department of Conservation continued in the role of lead agency in charge of wildlife and fisheries conservation until the Louisiana Department of Wild Life and Fisheries was officially created on December 11, 1944, in accordance with the terms of a Constitutional Amendment approved by the people of Louisiana on November 7, 1944.

The Amendment to the State's Constitution separated the former Department of Conservation into three independent state agencies: the Department of Wild Life and Fisheries, the Louisiana Forestry Commission, and a new Department of Conservation.

Initially, the new Department of Wild Life and Fisheries was directed by a Commissioner, who was appointed by the Governor. Governor Jimmie H. Davis appointed John G. Appel as the first Commissioner of the Department.
In 1952, another Constitutional Amendment changed the name of the Department of Wild Life and Fisheries to the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission, and also established a commission of seven members to oversee and direct the activities of the agency. For day-to-day management and administration, the commission was directed to appoint (hire) a Director of the Commission.

This confusing terminology, with a commission (board) managing the Commission (agency), continued until 1974, when the new Louisiana Constitution was completed and approved by voters. All of the old sections and amendments regarding normal functioning and administration of the agency were removed from the Constitution, retaining only the language regarding the composition and appointment of the seven-member Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC), as follows:

Section 7. (A) Members; Terms. The control and supervision of the wildlife of the state, including all aquatic life, is vested in the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. The commission shall be in the executive branch and shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Six members shall serve overlapping terms of six years, and one member shall serve a term concurrent with that of the governor. Three members shall be electors of the coastal parishes and representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries, and four shall be electors from the state at large other than representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries, as provided by law. No member who has served six years or more shall be eligible for reappointment.

(B) Duties; Compensation. The functions, duties, and responsibilities of the commission, and the compensation of its members, shall be provided by law.

(Constitution of the State of Louisiana (1974), Article IX - Natural Resources, ?7. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission)

The Louisiana Legislature subsequently created the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) as part of Act #720 of 1975, the Executive Reorganization Act, which legislated the establishment of twenty (20) cabinet level state agencies. The name and administrative structure of LDWF were codified in R.S. 36: ?601- ?609, and ?610 details forty-three (43) commissions and preserves that were transferred into the new Department.

While Act #720 changed the role of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission from administration to policy-making, the make-up of the Commission remains essentially the same today as when it was first conceived back in 1952: 6 members with 6-year terms plus 1 member whose term runs concurrently with the Governor. Three of the 7 members are to be representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries from the coastal parishes, and 4 members are "other than representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries" from the State at large.

CURRENT COMMISSIONERS

The seven current members of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, with their appointed role and term completion date, are:

Patrick C. Morrow

Chairman
Opelousas, LA
At-Large Appointee
12/10/2011

Patrick C. Morrow, a lifelong resident of Louisiana, was born in
Plaquemine and grew up in Arnaudville. He currently resides
in Opelousas (St. Landry Parish), where he is a practicing
attorney at law.

Mr. Morrow is a member of numerous legal organizations,
including:

• St. Landry Parish Bar Association
• Louisiana State and American Bar Associations
• Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
• Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association/Board of Governors/Counsel of Directors (1987 - present)
• The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• The Louisiana City Attorneys Association
• Louisiana and American Bar Foundations
• John M. Duhe, Jr., American Inn of Court.

He is a sponsor of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, and the Cajun Becasse Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society.

When asked about his motivation for serving on the LWF Commission, Mr. Morrow replied: "I have been an avid hunter and fisherman all of my life and want to ensure that our wildlife and aquatic life - our renewable resources - will be available to all future generations."

Mr. Morrow explained that he thought it was imperative that Louisiana's bountiful resources be protected using state-of-the-art equipment and management technology. He continued... "Both the sporting industry and the commercial fishing and fur industries have a tremendous economic impact on Louisiana. We must all strive to foster and protect our renewable resources for the future economic growth of Louisiana."

Mr. Morrow may be contacted at:
P.O. Drawer 1787
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: (337) 948-4483
E-mail: pmorrow@mmrblaw.com

Mr. Sagrera was born in Lafayette and is a lifelong resident of Abbeville. He is the President of Gators Unlimited Inc. and Vice President of the Vermilion Gator Farm. He has served as president of the Louisiana Alligator Farmers and Rancher's Association and is a current member of Duck's Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Coastal Conservation Association, Louisiana Cattleman's Association, National Rifle Association, North American Hunting Club and Safari Club International.

Mr. Sagrera was a 1986 graduate from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness. His experiences include working as a trapper and fur buyer and running an alligator farm for 20 years.

"I have been blessed with the opportunity to provide for my family through the sustainable use of our alligator resource," said Sagrera. ?Hunting and fishing with my children is one of the greatest joys in my life. None of this would be possible if not for the conservation and management efforts of the department over the past many years.

"Serving on the commission gives me the opportunity to give back to the state and do my part in insuring that our great resources are abundantly available for many generations to come."

Mr. Sagrera can be contacted at:
17801 Theall Road
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: (337) 893-7709
Fax: (337) 893-7703
E-mail: sws@us.com

Mr. Henry M. Mouton

Lafayette, LA
At-Large Appointee
12/10/2008

Henry Mouton is a lifelong resident of Lafayette, Louisiana,
where he is Vice-President of STAR Service, Inc., an HVAC
maintenance company.

Mr. Mouton is a member of Delta Waterfowl and the National
Rifle Association, a Ducks Unlimited Sponsor, past-President
of the Coastal Conservation Association, and a board member
of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Mr. Mouton explained that his goal in serving on the LWF Commission is to work to enhance the future of Louisiana's fish and game resources for all sportsmen and sportswomen to enjoy for many generations to come. He said that he wants to work with LDWF to ensure that Louisiana will always be known as the Sportsman's Paradise, and that he would like to see more stable funding for LDWF. He also said that he wants to continue to improve and grow programs that help youth get involved in outdoor sports because they are the future sportsmen of the State who will one day be stewards of the resources.

Regarding management of Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries resources, and the functioning of LDWF, Mr. Mouton stated that he felt it was very important that we properly manage all of our natural resources. He related that... "We almost lost our redfish populations back in the '80s...and we almost lost the alligators, but with proper management we were able to bring both back. We need to make sure we effectively manage all of our fish and game species. At the same time, we do not need to over-study issues that have already been studied over and over again. We also need to look at situations where we can hire outside consultants to do work for less money in a more efficient manner. We must run the Department in a business-like manner."

Mr. Mouton also shared his own personal motivation for being involved in wildlife and fisheries management... "When I got involved with conservation issues 23 years ago, I was doing so to ensure that I would be able to continue catching fish during my lifetime. Now that I have small children that love the outdoors and love to fish as much as I do, I want to make sure that they have the chance to enjoy what I have enjoyed in the outdoors."

Mr. Mouton can be contacted at:
P.O. Box 53097
Lafayette, LA 70505
Phone: (337) 280-2616
Fax: (337) 234-6677
E-mail: henry@hmouton.com

Mr. Robert J. Samanie, III

Vice-Chairman
Houma, LA
Commercial Fishing & Fur Representative
12/10/2009

Bobby Samanie, III is a lifelong resident of Terrebonne
Parish. He resides in Houma where he is involved in the
shrimp processing industry. Mr. Samanie is a past-President of
the American Shrimp Processors Association, past-President
of the Dulac Bassmasters Club, and a member of the Knights
of Columbus.

Regarding his motivation for serving on the LWF Commission, Mr. Samanie explained that he wants to represent people involved in the seafood industry, as well as recreational anglers and hunters. He feels that both sectors need regulations and enforcement based on biology, and that the two sectors need to understand that resources are shared between them. Mr. Samanie believes that he can help all users of Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries resources work together toward common goals.

When asked about his personal beliefs regarding the importance and management of these resources, Mr. Samanie said: "These resources are important for employment and the culture and identities of local communities, whether the users of the resource are commercial or recreational. Management must be be done in a way that guarantees future stocks, but in a logical and thoughtful manner. All elements of the commercial industry should be polled, and their opinions taken into account, but the final decisions must be based on science. Likewise, recreational interests must understand their responsibility to steward the resources, and seek state assistance with that goal in a fair way that respects the rights of all."

Mr. Samanie can be contacted at:
P.O. Box 336 Dulac, LA 70353
Phone: (985) 563-2348
E-mail: Captbob6888@aol.com

Mr. Earl P. King, Jr.

Amelia, LA
Commercial Fishing & Fur Representative
Concurrent w/ Governor

Earl King, Jr. was born on Ashland Plantation in Terrebonne
Parish, and currently resides in St. Mary Parish, where he is in
the oilfield transportation business (King Trucking, Inc.). Mr.
King serves on the Board of the Louisiana Shrimp and
Petroleum Festival, and is a member of the Louisiana Motor
Transport Association, the St. Mary Industrial Group, the
Atchafalaya River Coalition, and the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

When asked about his reasons for serving on the LWF Commission, Mr. King replied: "My respect for our wildlife and fisheries resources began at an early age, as I spent time with my grandfather, William H. "Bill" King of Ashland Plantation. He was responsible for the allocation of swamp resources for The South Coast Corporation, including timber, fur, and hunting rights. Grandfather stressed managing and nurturing our natural resources, and was an early conservationist. Growing up in south Louisiana, I enjoyed hunting and fishing on our many lakes and bayous. Not only did this provide food for our table, but also recreation that I want future generations to be able to enjoy."

Mr. King believes that, as an LWF Commissioner, he has a duty, an obligation, and a moral and ethical responsibility to make informed decisions based on the best interests of the people and the state of Louisiana. He explained that his broad agenda is to balance the commercial, sports, and recreational interests with conservation of Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries resources, noting that he has an appreciation for the economic "engines" these interests provide for the coastal parishes and across the state.

Mr. King can be contacted at:
1090 Susan Court
Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: (985) 518-9426
FAX: (985) 631-3330
E-mail: earlking@petronet.net

Mr. Frederic L. Miller

Shreveport, LA
At-Large Appointee
12/10/2010

Frederic L. Miller is a lifelong resident of Shreveport, where he
now practices as an attorney-at-law. Mr. Miller has served as
a commissioner and chairman of the Gulf States Marine
Fisheries Commission, as state chairman of Ducks Unlimited,
and as state president of the Coastal Conservation Association
(CCA). He is a former member of the Ruffed Grouse Society,
and currently maintains membership in Ducks Unlimited, Delta
Waterfowl, and CCA. Mr. Miller explained that his primary motivation for serving on the LWF Commission is his desire to "...conserve and protect Louisiana's natural resources and sporting heritage for my grandchildren and generations as yet unborn".

Another goal he plans to work toward during his tenure on the LWF Commission is to secure a source of stable and recurring funding for LDWF.

When asked about his personal beliefs regarding the proper management of Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries resources, Mr. Miller replied: "I believe in sound management of the State's natural resources for generations yet to come. We are only borrowing our resource treasures from our descendants."

Mr. Miller can be contacted at:
P.O. Box 5098
Shreveport, LA 71135-5098
Phone: (318) 861-4071
E-mail: fredricmiller@bellsouth.net

Mr. Steve Oats

Lafayette, LA
At-Large Appointee
4/30/2013

Steve Oats was born in Lafayette and is a lifelong resident of Louisiana. He is the Managing Partner in the law firm of Oats & Hudson that has offices in Lafayette, New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Steve is a Ducks Unlimited Lifetime Sponsor, National Rifle Association Lifetime Member, Coastal Conservation Association member and an instrument-rated pilot.

He belongs to the Louisiana State and American Bar Associations, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel and is a Lifetime Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation. He currently serves on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletic Foundation and is a member of Rotary International.

Reason for serving: "As a lifelong resident of Louisiana and a trained legal professional, I am interested in conserving and promoting Louisiana's wildlife resources. My education and background has prepared me to assist in supporting the wildlife and fish habitats of Louisiana for future generations."

Mr. Oats can be contacted at:
100 E. Vermillion St., Suite 400
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: (337) 233-1100
E-mail: wildlife@oatshudson.com

Commission Meeting Minutes

 August 2008
 July 2008
 June 2008
 May 2008
 April 2008
 March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007

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