For the first time, the Wildlife and Fisheries is accepting bids for seven tracts that total 35,000 acres of land in the White Lake area.
The bids have to be sealed and mailed to the department (P.O. Box 80399, Baton Rouge, La., 70898-0399) by Aug. 18. They will be opened at 10 a.m. in the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters building in Baton Rouge on Aug. 18.
These seven tracts range from as small as 412 acres to as large as 18,545 acres. The lease is for one year only.
The Wildlife and Fisheries has a minimum bid for each tract.
The largest tract,Tract I, is 18,545 acres. The Wildlife and Fisheries is asking for a minimum bid of $190,000, which equals out to $10 per acre.
Tract E is 932 acres and the minimum bid is $30,000 or about $32 per acre.
Tract D is 1,862 acres for the minimum bid of $65,000.
Tract C is the smallest at 412 acres and the minimum bid is $14,000 or about $32 per acre.
Tract F is 2,162 acres for a minimum bid of $70,000.
Tract G is the most expensive tract available. There are 6,962 acres for a minimum bid of $210,000 or about $30 per acres.
Tract H is the cheapest at $4,000 a year for 611 acres.
All of the seven tracts combine to total $682,000, which is twice as much as what White Lake Wetlands Conservation had been getting for leases of the past.
Over the years, the money ($325,000) generated from the leases of these seven parcels is used to maintain the acreage around White Lake and the facilities on the lake. The upkeep is close to $1 million a year. The department is also facing erosion abatement costs along the Intracoastal Waterway that must be addressed.
Bottom line, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries needs more money for the upkeep of White Lake.
But when bids are opened on Aug. 18 and the highest bidder is named, there will not be any celebration.
The recent lessee of record has seven days to match the highest bidder. If the former leaser matches the highest bid, then they get the land again.
The bid packets detailing land use stipulations and minimum per acre lease costs will be available July 17. Interested parties will have access to bid details online via the LDWF Web site or by mail upon request. Completed bid packages must be returned to LDWF by close of business on August 17. Following review of all bids submitted, winning bids will be announced in September.
To review the parcels and acreage totals that will be available during the bid process or request more information, visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/white-lake-leases on the LDWF Web site. Anyone without access to the LDWF Web site can call 225-765-2812 or send a letter of request to: White Lake Wetlands WCA Bid Process 2011 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. P. O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000
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