CCA State Convention Bestows Honors

The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana honored Tim Osborn and Sidney Coffee for the extensive work they have done to preserve the state’s coastal resources. The awards were presented at CCA Louisiana’s 2007 state convention on March 2-3. Osborn, who serves as regional manager of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was honored as CCA’s “Coastal Champion” for his leadership in on-the-ground projects, including reef construction and marine debris removal, after the 2005 hurricanes. He has worked for NOAA since 1991 and has been involved in coastal projects, programs and conservation and restoration efforts. “Tim’s leadership has made so many of these projects possible,” said Jeff Angers, executive director of CCA Louisiana. “The Bird Island Reef near Terrebonne Bay and the Redfish Point Reef in Vermilion Bay and so many other projects benefiting our coastal waters simply would not have been built were it not for the leadership of Tim Osborn.” Also honored for her efforts in coastal conservation was Coffee, who received the “Coastal Stewardship Lifetime Achievement Award.” Coffee, who serves as Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco’s Executive Assistant for Coastal Activities, coordinates coastal restoration projects for the State of Louisiana and has been crucial in conservation efforts. “She has been the key person in coastal restoration through three gubernatorial administrations,” said Berwick Duval II, who serves on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation . “Sidney has spearheaded campaigns to benefit our coast before Congress and at the state legislature. Her leadership has made the difference.” The convention’s general session meeting was open to all CCA members. Guest speakers included CCA America President Dave Cummins and CCA Gulf Fisheries Director Russ Nelson, who spoke on poor management of the red snapper fishery by the federal government. CCA America Vice President Pat Murray gave an inside look into conservation. Dr. Denise Reed, adjunct professor at the University of New Orleans, spoke about how Louisiana’s coastline has vanished over the years and what the future plans are to reverse that trend. Osborn talked about the changing landscape where CCA’s volunteer leadership has met challenges in collaborative projects. Two such examples are the Redfish Point Reef, which built an artificial reef in Vermilion Bay in August 2006 and the conclusion of the Lake Calcasieu Marine Debris Marking and Mapping Program just last month, where navigational hazards underwater where marked and removed to clear Lake Calcasieu for safe navigation – recreational and commercial. During his presentation, Osborn acknowledged Lake Charles CCA’s Rusty Vincent, LSU Sea Grant’s Mike Liffman and La. Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle for their volunteer efforts with plaques of appreciation. Angelle followed with a presentation of his own, highlighting the America’s Wetlands campaign to restore Louisiana’s coastline. La. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Bryant Hammett also laid out the fiscal needs of the department so important to sportsmen. CCA is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the nation. With more than 90,000 members in 15 state chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. Visit www.JoinCCA.org for more information.

 

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