The Louisiana
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a notice of intent
that would allow the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries (LDWF) to permit and regulate marine events on Louisiana
waterways at their Dec. 6 meeting.
Marine events are
defined as an organized event of limited duration held on
the water including but not limited to parades, firework displays
and boat races. Marine events are also characterized by its
nature, circumstances or location that will introduce extra
or unusual safety hazards on the navigable waters within the
state’s jurisdiction.
LDWF’s ability
to permit and regulate marine events would be through a memorandum
of understanding between the U.S. Coast Guard and LDWF.
This notice of
intent would require any individual or organization to submit
a marine event application to LDWF 30 days prior to the proposed
event.
LDWF’s Enforcement
Division would have the ability to issue regulations to promote
safety of life on waters before, during and after a marine
event. They would be able to limit, exclude or restrict movement
of vessel traffic before, during or after a marine event and
supply patrol boats if needed.
Written comments
can be submitted on this issue to Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne, Enforcement
Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,
P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000 prior to Feb. 7.