WHITE LAKE WETLANDS CONSERVATION AREA 2008 Non - Hunting and Fishing Dates

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) has established dates for the use of White Lake WCA facilities, located within the WCA in Vermilion Parish, for non-consumptive group activities including nature photography, bird watching, educational field trips and business retreats.

White Lake WCA is located south of Gueydan and includes 71,000 acres of wetlands and marsh land, and lodge facilities that can accommodate group meetings for 12 to 15 attendees, depending upon day or overnight use requirements.

The lodge facilities, accessible only by water, will be available at rental rates that vary based on level of services required by the group using the site. Boat transportation to and from the site will be provided as part of the day use and overnight use access. LDWF biologists will be available upon request for lectures on the ecosystem within the conservation area.

White Lake WCA and the surrounding Mermentau River Basin provide abundant habitat for a variety of avian and aquatic species. The property will seasonally have migrant passerine birds, shorebirds, wading birds, rails, gallinules, and the common moorhen. Hawks and owls are also common. Coastal terns and gulls use habitat contained on White Lake at times. Several large breeding rookeries of waders are present on the property. Most notably, along Blackfish Bayou, buttonbush growth supports a rookery with a large number of black-crowned night herons.

RULES AND REGULATIONS WHITE LAKE WETLANDS CONSERVATION AREA

The primary purpose of non-consumptive access to White Lake WCA is to provide a quality experience within a unique environment preserved as fish and wildlife habitat. Strict adherence to the following rules and regulations will be required to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

1. SAFETY IS A PRIMARY CONSIDERATION. ALL VISITORS MUST ADHERE TO POSTED SAFETY RULES AND DIRECTIONS PROVIDED BY SITE STAFF WHILE ON THE PROPERTY.

2. Access will be provided to a designated parking area.

3. Boat transportation to and from the site will be provided as part of the day use and overnight use access. Group participants must arrive at the White Lake WCA boat dock at the designated departure time (9:00 a.m. for day use; no later than 4:00 p.m. for overnight use). The site boat dock is located at the southernmost end of La. Highway 91, south of Gueydan.

4. Boat guides for boat tours and biologists for lecture sessions must be requested in advance of the group?s arrival on site.

5. Each visitor must carry a Wild Louisiana Stamp or Louisiana basic hunting or fishing license to access the site. Permits / Licenses will be checked prior to departure to the site.

6. No firearms may be brought on to the WCA unless authorized by LDWF.

7. Visitors must adhere to No Littering rules on site.

8. All group use dates must be requested two weeks in advance.

9. A deposit of $100.00 is required to reserve a date on the non-consumptive schedule.

2008 SCHEDULE FOR NON-CONSUMPTIVE ACTIVITIES AT WHITE LAKE WCA

FEE SCHEDULE FOR WHITE LAKE WCA FACILITY USE

Day Use $300 - Includes one-day use of Lodge for meetings with no food or drink or additional services provided by LDWF. (For up to 15 people.)

$300 + $10/person - Includes one-day use of Lodge for meetings with coffee, cold drinks and bottled water provided. (For up to 15 people.)

$300 + $20/person - Includes one-day use of Lodge for meetings with coffee, cold drinks, bottled water and lunch provided. Lunch provided (for up to 15 people) will consist of a sandwich tray and chips or something similar. It will not include a hot lunch.

Exemptions from day-use Lodge rental fee: State agencies, local and federal agencies, and universities conducting research, or educational activities, conducted in cooperation with LDWF. Costs for beverages or lunch may apply ($10/person for drinks, $20/person for drinks and lunch).

Overnight Use $400 + $25/person/night --Includes overnight stay at Lodge with only linens provided. (For up to 12 people.)

$400 + $35/person/night -- Includes overnight stay at Lodge with coffee, cold drinks, bottled water and linens provided. (For up to 12 people.)

$900 + $35/person/night -- Includes overnight stay at Lodge with coffee, cold drinks, bottled water, meals (breakfast, lunch and supper) and linens provided. (For up to 12 people.)

Exemptions from overnight Lodge rental fee: State agencies, local and federal agencies and universities conducting research or educational activities, conducted in cooperation with LDWF. Costs for beverages or lunch may apply ($10/person for drinks, $20/person for drinks and lunchl).

Skeet Range (optional activity for groups using site for scheduled events) $10/person/25 clay pigeons. $15/person/25 clay pigeons, 25 shotgun shells provided. Exemptions ? Any persons using the skeet range at LDWF-sponsored events.

Boat Tours (optional activity for groups using site for scheduled events) $10/person/ride. Limited to authorized function attendees.

Exemptions: Any state, local or federal agency working in cooperation with the LDWF on cooperative initiatives or universities/conservation organizations working with LDWF on cooperative research projects, or educational activities conducted in cooperation with LDWF. 

For more information or to reserve dates, call 337-479-1894 or send e-mail to sweeneykw@bellsouth.net.