Changes to the dredge fill material program administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) have been proposed by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC). The program covers dredging of fill material from the water bottoms of Louisiana.
The proposed rule changes align regulations with statute and codify current practice by identifying the licenses required to remove dredge fill material from state water bottoms.
Included in those are a description of the five classes of license, an increase in the commercial license fee from $25 to $50 and codification of a 1.5 percent penalty for late royalty payments.
Commercial license holders that exceed the licensed dredge volume may be levied a penalty of five cents per cubic yard calculated on the excess volume, according to the proposed rules and regulations.
It also requires pre- and post-dredging photographs of the pit to be submitted by commercial license holders.
According to the rules and regulations, “No person or firm shall dredge fill material, sand or gravel from water bottoms of this state without a license from LDWF.’’
To see the notice of intent, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page/31722-action-items/noidredgefillmaterialrulesandregulations.pdf .
Public comment on the notice of intent will be accepted at LWFC monthly meetings and/or can be submitted in writing by mail to: Dave Butler, LDWF, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, or via email to dbutler@wlf.la.gov until April 4, 2019.
For more information, contact permits coordinator Dave Butler at dbutler@wlf.la.gov or 225-763-3595 or director Kyle Balkum at kbalkum@wlf.la.gov or 225-765-2819.
