Popular trout, redfish fishing location has been closed since BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced today (May 25) that Elmer’s Island, which has been closed since May 2010 as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will reopen at noon Friday.
“We are so pleased to be able to reopen Elmer’s Island,” LDWF Secretary Robert Barham said. “For more than a year, anglers, birders and residents from all across the Gulf have waited patiently for the clean-up workers and equipment to finish scouring the beaches.
“Their patience is being rewarded this weekend, just in time for Memorial Day.”
The news was welcomed by Grand Isle Mayor David Carmadelle.
“While we know that the work to restore Louisiana’s coastline isn’t done yet, we are excited that the state is reopening Elmer’s,” Carmadelle said. “If you’re planning to take Memorial Day weekend to fish, grill on the beach or go birding, one of the best places you could go is Elmer’s.
“We are grateful to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for continuing to work with the federal government to get this beach reopened.”
After the noon reopening on Friday, road access to the island opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Boating access is allowed seven days a week.
Although the beach will be open for public access beginning Friday, workers and state officials will continue to monitor the shoreline any signs of oil impacts. Any sightings of oil should be reported to LDWF at 800.442.2511.
