Jan. 9, 2020 – The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a notice of intent (NOI) that puts in place rules and regulations for Queen Bess Island during its monthly meeting Thursday (Jan. 9) in Baton Rouge. The Commission approved a resolution during its November meeting that converts the island to a Louisiana state wildlife refuge.
The designation as a state wildlife refuge allows the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to offer enhanced protection to the island, a vital water bird colony annually supporting more than 4,400 nests.
The NOI passed Thursday sets in place the following rules and regulations:
- Hunting on the island is prohibited;
- Access is prohibited from Feb. 1-Sept. 30 each year;
- No disturbance or removal of vegetation or natural debris from the island is allowed;
- No fishing between the breakwaters and the island from Feb. 1-Sept. 30 each year;
- Vehicles will be prohibited;
- No nighttime activities.
To see the full NOI, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/commission-action-items.
Public comment on the NOI will be accepted now through March 2 at either the Commission's monthly meetings or by sending to Tommy Tuma at LDWF Wildlife Division, PO Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA. 70898-9000, by phone at 225.765.2349, or by email to ttuma@wlf.la.gov.
Queen Bess Island is a 37-acre island located near Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish. It is the fourth largest brown pelican rookery in Louisiana, producing 15-20 percent of the state’s nesting activity. It is also nesting habitat for about 10 species of nesting colonial water birds, such as tri-colored herons, great egrets and royal terns.
Queen Bess Island is currently undergoing a project that will restore approximately 30 acres of brown pelican and wading bird nesting habitat and seven acres of tern and black skimmer nesting habitat. LDWF and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) are jointly implementing the project.
Funding for the project comes from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damages Assessment (NRDA) settlement administered by the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group. The project began earlier this fall and should be completed by the middle of February 2020.
For more information on Queen Bess Island, contact Todd Baker at tbaker@wlf.la.gov or 225.765.2814.