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House backs substitute resolution urging federal study of falling migratory duck numbers
Summary
HCR 15, a substitute resolution expressing legislative support for Sen. John Kennedy's request that U.S. Fish & Wildlife study land-use effects (including flooded unharvested corn) on migratory waterfowl, was reported favorably; testimony spanned hunters, conservation groups and scientists and reflected disagreement over language and timeframes.
The committee reported favorably a substitute for House Concurrent Resolution 15, which expresses the legislature's support for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service study on how land-use changes and habitat loss (including unharvested flooded agriculture) affect migratory waterfowl behavior and numbers.
Representative Lacombe told colleagues that mallard numbers migrating to Louisiana have fallen and that a federal study could help identify drivers ranging from baiting/short‑stopping practices to habitat change across the flyway. He said the substitute calls for a federal study of land-use and habitat loss and removes some of the more prescriptive language in the original draft.
Witnesses and stakeholders were divided. Rick Owens of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supported the request for a study. Michael Lowery of a flyway organization said the substitute softened key points from Sen. Kennedy's letter (notably date ranges) and argued the change undercuts the urgency of the senator's concerns about baiting and unharvested flooded corn.
The committee adopted the substitute and reported HCR 15 favorably by voice vote.
