A. Each application for a surface coal mining and reclamation permit pursuant to this Chapter shall be accompanied by a fee as determined by the commissioner, with such fee not to exceed the actual or anticipated cost of reviewing, administering and enforcing such permit.
B. The permit application shall be submitted in a manner satisfactory to the commissioner and shall contain, among other things:...
(18) A description of fish and wildlife resource information for the permit area and adjacent area. The scope and level of detail for such information shall be determined by the office of conservation in consultation with state and federal agencies with responsibilities for fish and wildlife. Site specific resource information necessary to address the respective species or habitats shall be required when the permit area or adjacent area is likely to include listed or proposed endangered or threatened species of plants or animals or their critical habitats listed by the secretary of the Interior under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), or those species or habitats protected by state statutes, habitats of unusually high value for fish and wildlife such as important streams, wetlands, riparian areas, cliffs supporting raptors, areas offering special shelter or protection, migration routes, or reproduction and wintering areas, or other species or habitats identified through agency consultation as requiring special protection under state or federal law.
(19) A description of how, to the extent possible using the best technology available, the operator will minimize disturbances and adverse impact on fish, wildlife, and related environmental values, including compliance with the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), during the surface coal mining and reclamation operations and how enhancement of these resources will be achieved where practicable. This description shall apply, at a minimum, to species and habitats identified in Paragraph (18) of this Subsection and include protective measures that will be used during the active mining phase of operation. Such measures may include the establishment of buffer zones, the selective location and special design of haul roads and power lines, the monitoring of surface water quality and quantity, and enhancement measures that will be used during the reclamation and post-mining phase of operation to develop aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Such measures may also include restoration of streams and other wetlands, retention of ponds and impoundments, establishment of vegetation for wildlife food and cover, and the replacement of perches and nest boxes. When the plan does not include enhancement measures a statement shall be given explaining why enhancement is not practicable...
Citation: LSA-R.S. 30:907.
A. The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries may acquire land by purchase, exchange, gift or otherwise for additions to the state's portfolio of natural lands, state parks, state forests and wildlife and fishery management areas or because such areas exhibit other important features of the natural landscape that are of interest to the state. In determining whether sites shall be acquired, the secretary shall consider whether the site is:
(1) Identified as having high priority recreation, forestry, fishery, wildlife or conservation value...
(3) A habitat for native plant or animal species which may be threatened or endangered...
B. Prior to its acquisition each site shall be evaluated by the department to determine if threatened or endangered species inhabit or use the site or to determine if the site is of special ecological quality or has other outstanding natural values as a community of living things.
Citation: LSA-R.S. 56:1922.