Louisiana § RS 56:1901 - Legislative findings and declarations

§ RS 56:1901. Legislative findings and declarations

            The Louisiana Legislature finds:

            A. That it is the policy of this state to conserve species of wildlife and native plants for human enjoyment, for scientific purposes, and to insure their perpetuation as viable components of this state's economic and ecological systems.

            B. That species of wildlife and native plants normally occurring within this state which may be found to be threatened or endangered within the state should be accorded such protection as is necessary to maintain and to enhance their numbers.

            C. That the state should assist in the protection of species of wildlife that are determined to be "threatened" or "endangered" elsewhere pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., as concurred in by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, by prohibiting the taking, possession, transportation, exportation from the state, processing, sale or offer for sale or shipment within this state of such endangered species, or by carefully regulating such activities with regard to such species. Exceptions to such prohibitions, for the purpose of enhancing the conservation of such species, may be permitted as set forth elsewhere in this Part.

            D. That funding for the conservation of threatened or endangered species and native plants may be made available to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries annually by appropriations from the general fund of the state. Additionally, sources other than those normally used by the department to support its present wildlife programs may be utilized, including but not limited to federal funding through Section 6 of the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and to that extent the department may enter into cooperative agreements with the proper authorities of the government of the United States, issue and promote the sale of "Endangered Species" stamps or utilize such other methods as are deemed appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this Part.

            Acts 1974, No.473, §1; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 2017, No. 228, §1.