More than 40 local officials and stakeholders attended a Bistineau Task Force donation ceremony for the new air boat and UTV which was held at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Office in Minden, Oct. 22.
Bossier Parish Administrator Bill Altimus served as the facilitator for this special event and Billy Montgomery, BTF chairman,and BTF members were on hand. and the supporting partners.
A brief history of the Task Force was given by Rick Avery, president of the Bossier Parish Police Jury and Glenn Benton, Bossier police juror; Charlie Walker, Webster Parish police juror, also discussed the progress that the BTF has made over the past two years.
Pete Camp, BTF At-Large member, was recognized for his work in acquiring stakeholder donations to make these donations possible.
Steve Ramsey, president of the Board of Directors for Trailblazer Resource Conservation and Development discussed the involvement of the organization going back to 2009. In his comments, Ramsey credited Trailblazer RC&D for having the idea of forming the Bistineau Task Force and working to create the BTF in cooperation with the Police Juries.
Likewise, everyone was complimentary of the hard work that the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries has put in to combat the growth of Giant Salvinia on the lake.
Secretary Robert Barham was the featured speaker of this event and he expressed appreciation for all the support given by the BTF and stakeholders. He reminded the audience of his commitment to do all he can to fight this aggressive invasive plant species. He is hopeful of a natural agent to be developed which will combat the growth of salvinia in our lakes.
