CSF Partners Announce Partnership to Benefit “Building Conservation Habitat Program”

December 15, 2010 (Washington, DC) – Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) partners Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and Shell Oil Company announced a new partnership between the recreational angling community, private businesses and the state  of Louisiana on Tuesday to assist in CCA’s ongoing "Building Conservation Habitat Program", and Shell has committed 1.5 million dollars to the program.

Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana was on hand at the announcement and discussed the state’s new partnership with CCA and Shell and spoke about how the program will help resurrect the treasured marina life habitat associated with Independence Island – formerly an emergent island in Barataria Bay near Grand Isle, La. Independence Island was formerly one of Louisiana’s popular fishing destinations, but due to coastal erosion and subsidence, the Island has sunk to the point that it is no longer a viable fisheries habitat.
 
“Louisiana’s coastal environment has faced many challenges, some man-made and some natural.  This makes it increasingly important for us to find innovative ways to restore and enhance the coastal areas that support state’s economy,” said Gov. Jindal. “Partnerships like the one announced today are a critical component for helping our citizens get back on their feet after the oil spill and preserving the beauty of coastal Louisiana for generations to come.”
 
“CCA and Shell have been at the forefront of coastal fish and marine habitat stewardship as responsible corporate citizens, working alongside state governments across the Gulf coast and with the policy makers of the Congressional, State and Governors to ensure proper conservation of coastal fisheries,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

John Hollowell, Executive Vice President, Deep Water, Upstream Americas, Shell Energy Resources Company said, “Shell has a long history of support for environment and habitat projects, and our thousands of employees in Louisiana are excited about the possibilities of this partnership. CCA members have an amazing track record of conservation work that sets them apart. We believe in the organization and are committed to doing our part to ensure that the Building Conservation Habitat Program has the tools to bring significant marine habitat restoration projects from concept to reality.”

CCA recently worked with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to permit a 55-acre site for future reef development that includes the original footprint of Independence Island.  The Independence Island Reef is being made possible by a $250,000 donation from the CCA Building Conservation Habitat Program and matching funds from the state.
 
CCA has a highly successful artificial reef program with reefs completed in Lake Pelto, Vermilion Bay, Calcasieu Lake, and Lake Ponchartrain.  In in-shore coastal areas, this program has used crushed limestone to construct low-relief “shell-pad” type structures to enhance habitats and fisheries resources.