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 Loss Of Tidelands Grants Could Dry Up Marine Programs

A recent tidelands grant will equal a new addition on the grounds of Beauvoir.

"Our latest tidelands grant deals with providing public access to our Oyster Bayou and Bayhead Swamp area. This will be providing a new walkway on top of a new weir, which we'll be constructing out here on the bayou. This walkway will provide a very rapid access to the area where our new boardwalk is located. And we feel that this is going to greatly enhance the site, as well as increase the water treatment of all the water that is drained through west Biloxi," said Beauvoir director Patrick Hotard.

This type of project would be difficult to make a reality if lawmakers take away tidelands funds, which were established ten years ago to help offset the impact of development in areas like the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

"The tidelands grants are a very key part of our community for the coastal area in helping to get a lot of these small to medium size projects completed and finished," said Hotard.

Dianne Hunt agrees. She's the president of the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Nature Preservation Society.

"I don't think it's very good idea because the Gulf Coast is not only the most environmentally sensitive area, it's also one of the most biologically diverse areas in the nation. We have most of our development going on in the state right here on the Gulf Coast at this time," said Hunt.

WRANPS depends on these grants to fund educational programs and new projects.

These grants provide the basic needs for special projects all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and many who benefit from these grants say if that's taken away, marine life wouldn't be the only thing that suffers - the state of Mississippi will lose out as well.

The Tidelands Trust Fund program is made up of funds taken from the lease rentals of tidelands and submerged lands.

By Karla Redditte

 

REMEMBER: MONEY, POWER, & PERKS + FRAUD, WASTE, & ABUSE= CORRUPTION

AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN MISSISSIPPI

Article: 49-15-305 talks about
"SEAFOOD"

WRANPS is located in the woods on USM property not on the water where the tide ebbs and flows.

Source:   Mississippi Code : TITLE 49 CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY : CHAPTER 15 SEAFOOD : ARTICLE 5. MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON MARINE RESOURCES : § 49-15-305. Executive director; nomination; powers and duties.
   
 
 

§ 49-15-305. Executive director; nomination; powers and duties.
 

  
 

   
 
 

(1)  The commission shall submit three (3) nominees for the position of executive director to the Governor. The Governor shall appoint the executive director from the list of nominees with the advice and consent of the Senate. The commission may remove the executive director from office for good cause. The executive director shall be knowledgeable and experienced in marine resources management. 

 
   

(2)  The executive director of the department shall have the following powers and duties: 

   
   

(a) To supervise and direct all administrative, inspection and technical activities and personnel of the department; 

   
   
 

(b) To employ qualified professional personnel in the subject matter or fields, and any other technical and clerical staff as may be required for the operation of the department; 

 
   
 
 

(c) To coordinate all studies in the State of Mississippi concerned with the supply, development, use and conservation of marine resources; 

 
   
 
 

(d) To prepare and deliver to the Legislature and the Governor on or before January 1 of each year, and at any other times as may be required by the Legislature or Governor, a full report of the work of the department, including a detailed statement of expenditures of the department and any recommendations the department may have; 

 
   
 
 

(e) To enter into cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with studies and investigations pertaining to marine resources, provided the agreements do not have a financial cost in excess of the amounts appropriated for the purposes by the Legislature; and 

 
   
 
 

(f) To carry out all regulations and rules adopted by the commission and enforce all licenses and permits issued by the department. 
 

  
 
   
 
 

Sources: Laws,  1994, ch. 578, § 4; Laws, 1999, ch. 558, § 5, eff from and after passage (approved Apr. 21, 1999.)
 

  
 


SECRETARY of STATE, ERIC CLARK

 

 


 

I believe the Governor should reconsider his thinking on this letter.
It has been determined the WRANPS is not eligible for grants under the stature 49-15-305.
I had the PEER Committee research the matter and determined that WRANPS did not meet the requirements for grants.
I E-mailed Phil Bryant and requested an audit on WRANPS, his response was to go through the Secretary of State, Eric Clark.

 

 
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