INTRODUCTION 



Little Pecan Wildlife Management Area (LPWMA) is located in the lower Mermentau River 

 basin of Cameron Parish, LA (see Figure 1). The area consists of 4,452 ha of chenier ridge, 

 swamp, freshwater marsh, intermediate, and brackish marsh habitats. In 1975, this property was 

 acquired by the late Mr. Herman Taylor, an avid waterfowl hunter. Taylor hired a staff of four 

 biologists and began developing and implementing an intensive marsh management program (1975- 

 87). The marsh management plan at LPWMA was developed on the concept of multiple use of 

 renewable natural resources. In order to finance the marsh management program, Taylor created 

 an exclusive waterfowl hunting club, catering to and largely financed by large corporations. 



Goals and Objectives 



1. Develop and maintain optimum wintering waterfowl habitat. 



2. Increase wildlife and fisheries potential of the area. 



3. Increase the surface value of the marsh through management and use of renewable natural 

 resources, including waterfowl, alligators, furbearers, and estuarine organisms. 



4. Reverse habitat deterioration by implementing established and experimental marsh 

 management practices on the area. 



5. Develop a mineral management program to minimize the environmental impact of mineral 

 exploration, extraction, and transportation. 



Prior to implementation of marsh management measures, the fresher marshes north of Little 

 Pecan Island were plagued with water hyacinths {Eichhornia crassipes) and lacked an abundance 

 of waterfowl food plants. Tidally influenced marshes south of Little Pecan Island were not plagued 

 with water hyacinths, but were adversely affected by excessive fluctuations in salinity and water 

 levels brought about by the channelization of the lower Mermentau River. 



The impacts of these channelization/dredging projects were compounded by the operation of the 

 Catfish Point Control Structure. This structure and the Schooner Bayou Control Structure were 

 designed to convert Grand and White Lakes into a freshwater impoundment to supply irrigation 

 water for rice farmers to the north. During periods of low river discharge, the water control 

 structure at Catfish Point was closed to prevent saltwater intrusion into Grand and White Lakes. 

 Downstream marshes were then deprived of riverine freshwater which buffered against marine 

 influence. Tidal exchange, therefore, became more pronounced and brackish water moved further 

 inland. 



Little Pecan Wildlife Management Area was protected to some extent from extreme fluctuations 

 in water levels and salinities that occurred on the lower Mermentau River because of its location 

 several miles up Little Pecan Bayou. Salinity readings recorded on a weekly basis indicated 

 salinities were in the fresh to intermediate range throughout most of the year. Under periods of 

 extended drought, however, salinities often peaked in the 15-20 ppt range (Figure 2). 



Water levels at LPWMA were capable of large tidal and seasonal fluxes. Tidal marshes along 

 Little Pecan Bayou were occasionally dewatered during periods of strong north winds and low river 

 discharge. Conversely, when heavy rains occurred throughout the Mermentau River watershed, 

 water levels in Grand and White Lakes rose quickly. Excess water was discharged through the 

 lower Mermentau River via the Catfish Point Control Structure. As a result, the coastal marshes 

 experienced prolonged periods of backwater flooding. Two severe floods occurred from January 

 1984 to March 1988. 



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