entirely by LL&E. In addition to the millions of dollars in construction costs, over $1,000,000 is 

 spent annually for maintenance of structures and related activities. The same or similar methods 

 of wetland conservation used by LL&E have been adopted by the Louisiana Department of 

 Wildlife and Fisheries and by several other large and small landowners. 



Also, LL&E has always been conscious of the need for users to take measures to preserve the 

 State's wetlands. Accordingly, actions considered detrimental to the marshes are restricted in 

 almost all contracts involving LL&E property. These include oil and gas leases, geophysical 

 permits, canal and pipeline permits, and other activities. On LL&E lands, lessees have been 

 required to construct hundreds of additional water control structures, dams, and bulkheads, and to 

 take other actions to prevent undue erosion, drainage, flooding, or saltwater intrusion. Pipelines 

 must be buried. Where they cross canals, ditches, and ponds, the burial depth is a minimum of 

 3 ft below the bottom of the waterways. Such restrictions predate current regulatory requirements 

 by many years. 



The benefits of the LL&E program extend to fishermen, hunters, trappers, wildlife 

 photographers, and others. Each year many thousands of recreational fishermen catch spotted 

 weak fish, red drum, and other fin fish at or near the water control structures, and many more 

 harvest shrimp with cast nets. Louisiana Land and Exploration has over 1,400 sites under lease 

 for recreational hunting and fishing camps where families and their friends spend weekends, 

 vacations, and other leisure time. Approximately 300 hunting leases (primarily waterfowl) provided 

 hunting facilities for more than 6,500 hunters during the 1985-86 hunting season. 



Company employees regularly inspect the water control structures. Anglers and hunters 

 frequently report damage to structures before the company's routine inspections reveal them. This 

 is an indication that sportsmen recognize the value of the structures and are willing to cooperate 

 in maintaining them. 



In recent years, LL&E's investigations have shown that the company's program has produced 

 results beyond expectations. With improved conditions in the protected areas, they have become, 

 in effect, nursery grounds for fish, shrimp, and other marine life and sanctuaries for waterfowl and 

 fur bearing and other animals. Recognition of the value of this program was given by the Wildlife 

 and Fisheries Commission of the State of Louisiana as early as October 1956, in its official 

 publication, Louisiana Conservationist: 



"For instance, the Louisiana Land and Exploration Company, one of the largest marsh 

 and land holders in the state, has recently set out upon an extensive marsh main- 

 tenance program. The majority of this property lies within the marsh areas that are 

 subject to rapid erosion, tide fluctuation and salt water intrusion. Actual land losses 

 from erosion have been accurately measured and outlined on maps. Strategic points 

 in tidal channels have been located for the placement of water control structures which 

 are so designed as to stop erosion and adjust water levels and salinities in order to 

 improve conditions for the three-cornered-grass growth. Suitable structures for both 

 the prevention of erosion and proper control of tides have been experimented with and 

 put into effect in a big way. Rules and regulations have been promulgated that are 

 now made a part of the permits for any oil activity on the property. All canals and 

 drilling sites must be incased within levees, if at all possible. Abandoned canals and 

 dry-hole transportation canals must be dammed and maintained by their permittee. 

 Areas that may be improved by canals and levees are studied and management devices 

 made a part of the permit to be installed by the permittees." 



243 



