Twenty-one of the wildlife management areas closed because of Hurricane Isaac reopened today (Sept. 1), while seven WMAs remain closed, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Those WMAs reopening include The Acadiana Conservation Corridor, Atchafalaya Delta, Attakapas, Biloxi, Grassy Lake, Hutchinson Creek, Lake Boeuf, Marsh Island, Pass a Loutre, Pointe au Chenes (except Point Farms area), Pomme de Terre, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge (except East End boat launch construction area), Salvador-Timken, Sandy Hollow, Sherburne, Spring Bayou, State WMA, Tangipahoa, Thistlethwaite, Tunica Hills and White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area.
WMAs that remain closed until further notice include: Elm Hall (Assumption Parish); Elmer’s Island (Jefferson Parish); Joyce (Tangipahoa Parish); Lake Ramsey (St. Tammany Parish); Manchac (St. John the Baptist Parish); Maurepas Swamp (Ascension, Livingston, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes); and Pearl River (St. Tammany Parish).
The Waddill Outdoor Education Center in Baton Rouge also is closed due to storm impacts, but will reopen on Sept. 4.
Habitat and facility damage assessments are ongoing at sites impacted by storm winds and rain, and the public is advised to proceed with caution when accessing WMAs and refuges by boat or vehicle.