Scalise, Delegation Request Federal Action to Protect Louisiana's Seafood Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and the Louisiana Congressional Delegation are calling on Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to begin taking steps to protect the Louisiana seafood and recreational fishing industries and to address the ecological impacts to Lake Pontchartrain from the damaging effects related to the openings of the Bonnet Carre Spillway in 2019.

"Each opening of this flood control structure causes significant ecological impacts... These impacts disrupt the natural processes of many different species of aquatic life, in particular oysters, crab, shrimp, and certain inshore and nearshore finfish species,"write the delegation in their July 8 letter to Secretary Ross.

"We urge you to use your authority under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management Act and the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act to begin an immediate review of impacts to Louisiana's fishery resources and local economies."

Read the full letter here.