Biloxi Wildlife Management Area

Biloxi Wildlife Management Area
Biloxi WMA
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location within Louisiana
Location	St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
Coordinates	30°01′34″N 89°29′45″W / 30.02611°N 89.49583°W / 30.02611; -89.49583Coordinates: 30°01′34″N 89°29′45″W / 30.02611°N 89.49583°W / 30.02611; -89.49583
Area	42,747 acres (172.99 km2)
Established	1957 (initial)
Governing body	Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Biloxi Wildlife Management Area, also referred to as Biloxi WMA, is a 42,747 acre privately owned tract of protected marsh land located in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). The land is owned by Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation, owning approximately 90,000 acres (36,000 ha) of land in St. Bernard Parish, that started leasing land to the LDWF as early as 1957. Access is limited to boats as there are no roads in the WMA. The nearest road access is LA 46 to Shell Beach or LA 624 to Hopedale.^[1]

WMA land acquisition

The land is owned by Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation that first entered into leasing arrangements with the LDWF in 1957. The company retains the exclusive right to conduct mineral exploration as well as other business interests on the property.^[2] The LDWF now manages 42,747 acres

Location

The WMA is located approximately 40 miles (64 km) east of New Orleans, north of the Mississippi River–Gulf Outlet Canal (MRGO), that was closed to commercial shipping traffic after surge amplification during Hurricane Katrina, on the east shore of Lake Borgne, in northeastern Saint Bernard Parish. The land is considered brackish to saline marsh^[3]

See also

• List of Louisiana Wildlife Management Areas

References