The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ draft forest management prescriptions for five Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are now available for review on the LDWF website at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma-forest-management-prescriptions .
The prescriptions, which describe existing forest conditions and proposed habitat management treatments, include areas on Bayou Macon, Boeuf, Dewey Wills, Grassy Lake and Loggy Bayou WMAs. The documents detail proposed methods to improve, maintain and sustain wildlife habitat, provide quality wildlife-oriented recreational improvements, and grow quality timber resources for the long-term.
Each document includes a description of the area to be addressed within each WMA, the current condition of each forest type found within the compartment, the soil types and hydrology of the area and wildlife habitat conditions. Plans also include management objectives, management concerns and how areas of concern will be addressed to enhance or sustain the forest and wildlife habitat. Appropriately prescribed and implemented timber harvest is often the most feasible means to manipulate forest habitat for the short and long term sustainable management of wildlife.
LDWF is asking that any comments on the plans be as specific as possible and provided by March 15, 2014.
Comments can be made in writing to Donald Locascio at LDWF Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898 or dlocascio@wlf.la.gov .