Influential Sportsman Chris Nook Speaks About Importance of Louisiana Wetlands Restoration at MRGO Public Meeting
By Amanda Moore, National Wildlife Federation
John Lopez (Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation) speaks to technical aspects of the MRGO restoration plan at public meeting in Waveland, Ms. (Credit: MRGO Must Go Coalition)
The second of three public hearings on the Army Corps of Engineers’ MRGO ecosystem restoration draft plan was held Tuesday evening (Jan. 25) in Waveland, Mississippi. Approximately 100 people turned out for the chance to learn more about the restoration plan and to share comments.
In addition to Mississippi public officials and residents – as well as a sizeable contingency of Louisiana residents – sportsmen from Montana, Ohio, and Oklahoma made the journey to Waveland to speak about the importance of MRGO ecosystem restoration to wildlife and sportsmen throughout the nation.
Chris Nook, the CEO of HuntDucks.com and prostaff director at Hard Core Decoys, flew in from Ohio to testify about the importance of restoring the wetlands around the infamous MRGO. “Historically, the coastal marshes of this region have provided crucial wintering habitat for waterfowl that are produced in the Nations Prairie Pothole Region and Great Lakes states,” said Nook. “Sadly, Ducks Unlimited has said that about 3 million fewer ducks spend their winters along the Gulf Coast because of habitat loss. And, a big part of that habitat loss has taken place right here in the area this plan aims to restore.”
The final public hearing for the MRGO draft plan is scheduled for February 3rd in New Orleans and the official comment period ends February 14th. View the Coalition’s recommendations and submit your comments online at www.MRGOmustGO.org.