Louisiana Fisheries
Current NewsAbout UsBiological InfoManagement InfoHabitat Info
Louisiana Fisherman Professionalism ProgramAquaculture InfoLegal & Socio-Economic Issues
Fisheries & PeopleResources & PublicationsFisheries FAQsSearch
LSU AgCenter Louisiana Sea Grant Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Fisheries

Home > Current News > 2005

News: 2005

Law Enforcement Agencies to Join Forces During "Zero Tolerance for Litter!" Weekend March 4-6
Posted: 2/23/05

Louisiana's first "Zero Tolerance for Litter!" campaign will kick off with a statewide public awareness weekend March 4-6. The event, coordinated by Keep Louisiana Beautiful Inc., will bring together law enforcement agencies and concerned citizens in an effort to keep Louisiana beautiful and litter free.

"We will be focusing our efforts in areas used by boaters, fishermen and wildlife management area users," said Col. Winton Vidrine, chief of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division. "And any instances where large items such as old appliances and furniture are dumped on wildlife management areas and state refuges, will be investigated." he added.

LDWF is asking citizens to help assist in the effort. Persons seeing someone litter are asked to call 1-888-LITRBUG (1-888-548-7284). Callers do not have to leave their names. The toll-free hotline operates 24 hours a day.

Callers will be asked the time, date and location of the littering, and also the license plate number, color, make, model and year of the vehicle involved. The offender will then receive a letter from the Department of Environmental Quality reminding them that littering is illegal and asking for their help in keeping Louisiana beautiful. Depending on the incident, a criminal investigation may also be launched.

Trash ends up on both our roads and in our waters in various ways. Small loose objects can fly from boats or the beds of pickup trucks, adding to the state's litter problem, sometimes unintentionally.

In addition to being unsightly, litter can be dangerous to boaters, drivers and to the environment. Massive amounts of rain from thunderstorms, tropical depressions and hurricanes can lead to flooding conditions, made even more severe by trash thrown onto our roadways that ends up in ditches, creeks and bayous, blocking water flow. Littering also damages our coastal habitat, affecting the ecosystem of numerous species.

"Not only is littering ugly and harmful to our environment, it is also against the law," said Col. Vidrine. "Wildlife and Fisheries agents will continue to take a strong stance against littering."

Louisiana law (R.S. 30:2531-R.S. 2531.3) provides for fines from $50 to $5,000 for violators. Those who litter also can expect anywhere between 4 to 100 hours of community service, suspension of their driver's license for one year, and possible jail time of up to 30 days.

LDWF, Louisiana State Police, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Transportation and Development, and Keep Louisiana Beautiful sponsor "Zero Tolerance for Litter Weekend".

People interested in volunteering in the state's anti-litter initiatives can join various efforts by Keep Louisiana Beautiful and its affiliates. Louisiana's Adopt-A-Road program also is an excellent way to actively participate in the upkeep and beautification of Louisiana's highways.

For more information on this program, call the DEQ at 1-225-379-1346 or visit their Web site at http://www.deq.state.la.us.

To find out more about "Zero Tolerance for Litter Weekend," contact Major Jeff Mayne at (225) 765-2980 or jmayne@wlf.louisiana.gov.

Back to Main

 


Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Sea Grant LSU AgCenter