Congressman Troy Carter Celebrates Expansion of Bayou Sauvage Wildlife Refuge with Interior Secretary Haaland

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. welcomed Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to southeast Louisiana for a visit to the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge.

During her visit, it was announced that the wildlife refuge has acquired the tract called Little Pine Island, a 2,500-acre addition of tidal marshes and hardwood forests to Bayou Sauvage. This is one of the last remaining marsh areas adjacent to Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne.

Secretary Haaland, Congressman Carter, and conservation leaders delivered remarks at the event highlighting the federal government’s commitment to conserving and protecting nature, expanding equitable access to the outdoors, and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders on the Department’s conservation efforts.

Following her visit, Congressman Carter released the following statement:

“It was an honor and a privilege to host Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in Louisiana this weekend to celebrate the expansion of the Bayou Sauvage Wildlife Refuge.

“Marsh ecosystems are a natural infrastructure that protects our communities against flooding, provides habitat for many species, and offers a unique form of outdoor recreation. It’s in all of our best interest to conserve them.

“The acquisition of the Little Pine Island tract will add 2,500 acres to the refuge and allows us to preserve more critical wetlands than ever before, while protecting our communities.

“Proud to join Secretary Haaland today, and grateful to have an Administration in the White House that places a premium on the environmental, climate-resilience, and economic benefits that our natural areas bring to communities.”

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