Amendment No. 2 ensures Cajun basin’s lifeblood

Dear Editor,

Do you like to hunt or fish? How about eating crawfish? Are you a bird watcher, boater, photographer, extreme adventure racer or hiker? Do you care about the environment, the Cajun culture or the future of our tourist industry? If you are interested in any of these things, then you should be in favor of proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 2 and setting aside a portion of severance taxes collected on state lands to the Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund.

This is not a tax. This is a reallocation of a portion of severance tax funds. We worked with the oil and gas industry to craft this fair and equitable solution for saving the Basin. With passage of this amendment, Louisiana citizens and people from around the world will be able to enjoy this unique, one-of-a-kind American treasure.

The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in our nation, almost one million acres.

In light of our recent and ongoing experience with the worst environmental disaster in history, I think it is important that we do all we can to protect our valuable natural resources. We have stood by for years, as did the federal government, and watched money that comes from our oil and gas go elsewhere.

I urge you to please consider all of the many wonderful things the Basin gives us, things that are a part of Louisiana’s culture and heritage. Let’s ensure that the Basin will be a legacy for many generations to come.

State Rep. Karen Gaudet St. Germain,

Chair, Atchafalaya Basin Program Oversight Committee