Atchafalaya National Heritage Area COMMISSION REVIEW- October 1, 2010

Vol. I SEPTEMBER 2011 Environmental Assessment Management Plan

Note: This is a low resolution file of the painting, “Hope” to show artwork and placement. Artwork will be credited to Melissa Bonin, on inside front cover.

AtchafalayaAtchafalaya NationalNational HeritageHeritage AreaArea MANAGEMENT PLAN / ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SEPT DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN / ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2011 As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.

Front cover photo credit: Louisiana Office of Tourism NPS ABF/P77/107232 SEPTEMBER 2011

Printed on recycled paper

July 1, 2011

Dear Stakeholders:

I am pleased to present the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Management Plan and Environmental Assessment developed by the Atchafalaya Trace Commission. The Plan is a model of collaboration among public agencies and private organizations. It proposes an integrated and cooperative approach for projects that will protect, interpret and enhance the natural, scenic, cultural, historical and recreational resources of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. The Plan outlines initiatives for the next 10 to 15 years that will strengthen the region culturally and economically.

We appreciate the input from the public and the help from the many agencies and organizations that participated in drafting this Plan. We welcome additional comments in this final review period, and we look forward to working with you as we implement this Plan.

With best regards, I am

Very truly yours,

Jay Dardenne Lieutenant Governor

Management Plan / Environmental Assessment Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Louisiana

Congress authorized the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area on October 6, 2006 with the enactment of The National Heritage Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-338). The legislation designates the Atchafalaya Trace Commission as the local coordinating entity and requires the completion of a management plan to guide the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area (ANHA). This plan is intended to guide a coordinated effort, led by the Commission, to protect, develop, interpret, and promote the national heritage area’s resources, in ways that reflect the area’s national significance, for the benefit of current and future generations.

This plan examines four alternatives for managing the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area for the next 15–20 years. It also analyzes the impacts of implementing each of the alternatives. Alternative A (no action) consists of the continuation of existing management and trends, and serves as the basis for evaluating the other alternatives. Under alternative B, natural resource protection and recreation, and the themes of “Adaptation and Survival” and “Influence of the Water on the Land and the People” would be the primary focus of management. Management under alternative C would focus on the protection and restoration of cultural resources, and the theme “Identity through a Cultural Blend” while providing some different visitor opportunities than alternative B. Alternative D (the preferred alternative) reflects the interrelationship of natural resources with culture and history and includes a focus on all three interpretive themes. As required by the legislation, an implementation plan and an interpretive plan are included in this document.

This Management Plan / Environmental Assessment will be released to the public for a 30-day comment period. The National Park Service will determine whether the environmental consequences of the preferred alternative require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

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HOW TO COMMENT ON THIS PLAN

Comments on this Management Plan/Environmental Assessment are welcome and will be accepted for 30 days after the Environmental Protection Agency’s notice of availability appears in the Federal Register, which is expected in spring 2011. To respond to the material in this plan, written comments may be submitted by one of several methods noted below. Commenters are encouraged to use the Internet if possible. Please submit only one set of comments.

Internet Website: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/Atchafalaya

Mail: National Park Service, Denver Service Center – Planning Division Atchafalaya National Heritage Area PO Box 25287 Denver, CO 80225-0287

Comments from the public, stakeholders, and government agencies will be accepted until August 1, 2011.

Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

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SUMMARY

BACKGROUND PURPOSE OF THE PLAN While Louisiana is continually developing The purpose of this management plan for and changing, its residents and visitors look the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is to to cherished places for recreation and for provide a framework to guide the connecting with nature, culture, and history. Atchafalaya Trace Commission (the The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, a Commission) over the next 15-20 years. This 10,400-square-mile area of outdoor wonders plan identifies programs and strategies to and historic treasures, is one such place. The protect, interpret, and promote the heritage area, which begins at the junction of the area’s cultural, historic, recreational, Atchafalaya River and the Mississippi River educational, scenic, and natural resources; and extends south through 14 parishes to the identifies existing and potential public and Gulf of Mexico, encompasses the nation’s private partnerships; includes a largest river swamp and a wide variety of comprehensive interpretation plan; cultural and recreational resources. recommends criteria and sources for financial assistance; and fosters cooperative A comprehensive plan for a well-managed relationships between federal, state, Atchafalaya National Heritage Area will set regional, and local agencies. Informed by an the stage to connect the great variety of extensive public participation process, the resources within the heritage area and create plan integrates the ongoing efforts of support for local businesses, traditional multiple partners over a broad region, artisans, and others, while increasing the helping to prevent duplication of activity quality of life for residents and enhancing and resolve conflicts of interest. the experiences of visitors. The strategies of the management plan are The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area intended to guide a coordinated effort, led Management Plan articulates a framework by the Commission, to protect, develop, with specific recommendations to connect interpret, and promote the national heritage and enhance the heritage area's rich area’s resources, in ways that reflect the offerings. The plan is a result of extensive area’s national significance, for the benefit of public input from citizens, governments, and current and future generations. Because the other stakeholders who are deeply plan’s strategies are comprehensive and committed to preserving and promoting the programmatic in scope, few specific projects heritage area's special character. The plan are discussed. Implementation of certain can serve as a model of public and private strategies or actions outlined in the plan may partnerships working together to implement require additional site specific assessment in policies that protect and connect the the future as required by the National heritage area for future generations. Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Establishing a vision and road map for managing the diverse resources well is the The plan is designed to be flexible to adapt purpose, and the challenge, of this strategic to varying factors, and the Commission is management plan. intended to be an actively engaged organization that reserves the right to reverse course or initiate new actions to mitigate unforeseen impacts or new opportunities presented by partners or funding opportunities. The Commission will iii

SUMMARY continually monitor its accomplishments Goals under the plan through regular evaluations of its projects and programs, consultations The overarching vision for the heritage area with state agencies and other partners, and is supported by four goals: an ongoing and active public engagement Goal 1: Enhance interpretation and process including regular communications awareness of the heritage area’s key and recurring community forums. stories Goal 2: Support sustainable cultural Because implementation of the management economic development plan will depend upon a number of factors— opportunities in the heritage area including levels of funding and actions by Goal 3: Increase appreciation for cultural federal, state and local agencies, as well as resources nonprofit groups and private stakeholders— Goal 4: Increase appreciation for natural exact timeframes are not included in the resources plan.

Interpretive Themes KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PREFERRED Three interpretive themes have been MANAGEMENT PLAN identified. Each theme is connected to a The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area variety of resources that represent the preferred management plan presents a themes in various depths. comprehensive strategy for future management and protection of the heritage Theme 1 - Adaptation and Survival: The area's diverse historic sites, unusual natural early settlers acquired living skills unique to habitats, and cultural traditions. the environment.

Vision Theme 2 - Identity Through a Cultural Blend: The region’s identity evolved from a The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is a blend of many cultures. truly fascinating and “foreign” place here in the middle of the U.S. culture. The area Theme 3 - Influence of the Water on the manages to be authentic and real, while Land and the People: Water is the offering outstanding amenities for residents distinctive influence on life in this area: and visitors who seek a relaxed but active through the ages it has created ever- break from the everyday. changing landscapes, contributed to subtle and catastrophic natural events, and has Mission been subjected to a long history of human The mission of the Atchafalaya National manipulation; this relationship continues to Heritage Area is to build understanding and evolve today through increased recreation identity, raising local, regional, and national and conservation efforts. awareness of the Atchafalaya region; to strengthen the fabric of the place; to expand economic opportunities and to increase the THE ALTERNATIVES community collaboration and involvement Alternative A (no action) consists of the within the parishes that constitute the continuation of existing management and heritage area while supporting a healthier trends, and serves as the basis for evaluating Atchafalaya ecosystem and enhancing the other alternatives. natural resource-based recreation opportunities. iv Summary

Under alternative B, natural resource Alternative D reflects the interrelationship protection and recreation, and the themes of of natural resources with culture and history “Adaptation and Survival” and “Influence of and includes a focus on all three interpretive the Water on the Land and the People” themes. would be the primary focus of management. Management under alternative C would The Preferred Alternative focus on the protection and restoration of The Commission’s preferred alternative for cultural resources, and the theme “Identity the future management of national heritage through a Cultural Blend” while providing area is the Heritage Connection: Nature, some different visitor opportunities than Culture, History and Recreation. alternative B. (Alternative D in the Environmental Assessment)

v SUMMARY

vi CONTENTS OF VOLUME ONE

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION 5 NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS 7 The Difference Between a National Heritage Area and a National Park 7 History of the National Heritage Area Program 7 History of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 8 Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Timeline 9 HERITAGE AREA ACCOMPLISHMENTS 10 Completed Projects 10 On-going Projects 10 Experience Atchafalaya Days 10 Atchafalaya Heritage Development Zone 11 OVERVIEW OF THE REGION, PEOPLES, AND HISTORY OF THE ATCHAFALAYA BASIN 14 Regional Description 14 History of Peoples and Culture 21 Introduction 21 Native Americans 21 European Incursions 22 FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT 32 Vision 32 Mission 32 Purpose and Significance 32 Legislative Requirements 33 Goals of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 35 Interpretive Themes 36 Recommended Boundary Adjustments 38 Planning Issues and Concerns 38 Applicable Laws, Policies, and Regulations 39

CHAPTER TWO: PREFERRED MANAGEMENT FOCUS DESCRIPTION 45 POTENTIAL KEY PARTNERS 48 RELATED INTERPRETIVE THEMES 49

CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN INTRODUCTION 53 THE FOUNDATION 56 Vision 56 Mission 56 Purpose and Significance 56 Goals and Interpretive Themes 57 vii

Contents of Volume One

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY 58 Atchafalaya Trace Commission 58 National Park Service 59 Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area Development Zone Review Board 59 Louisiana Office of Tourism 59 Atchafalaya Trace Commission/Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Staff 59 Organizational Development Needs 60 Use of the National Heritage Area Logo 61 IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES 62 Principles for Implementation 62 Project Selection Criteria 63 Best Practices to be Followed Throughout Implementation 64 Implementation Strategies/Actions and Phasing 65 PARTNERS AND RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS 74 Introduction 74 Federal Partners 75 State Partners 77 Local Partners 84 Other Partners 84 HISTORIC AND FUTURE FUNDING 86 Existing and Potential Sources of Funding 86 Budget and Current Funding 86 Future Funding 88 Project Requirements for Recipients of Federal or State Funding 93 Monitoring Progress and Amending the Plan 94 Monitoring and Evaluation 94 Annual Report 94 Evaluation 95

CHAPTER FOUR: INTERPRETATION PLAN INTRODUCTION 99 THEMES AND STORIES 100 Core Theme: People and the Land 101 Theme 1 – Adaptation and Survival 102 Theme 2 – Identity Through a Cultural Blend 103 Theme 3 – Influence of the Water on the Land and the People 105 ISSUES AND NEEDS RELATED TO CURRENT INTERPRETATION 109 Public and Private Partners 109 Identifying Interpretive Media to Reach Heritage Area Audiences 109 HERITAGE AREA RESOURCES 117 Introduction 117 Resource Theme Matrix 117

APPENDIXES APPENDIX A: LEGISLATION 123 APPENDIX B: RESOURCE THEME MATRIX 128 viii CONTENTS OF VOLUME ONE

FIGURES AND TABLES

Figure 1. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 13 Figure 2. Map of Atchafalaya Basin 31 Figure 3. Goal Implementation Helps Realize Vision 54 Figure 4. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Organizational Framework 58 Figure 5. Implementation is a Flexible, Adaptable Process 94 Figure 6. Interpretive Themes Bring the Stories to Life 100

Table 1. Legislative Requirements for the Management Plan 34 Table 2. Organizational Development Needs 60 Table 3. Implementation Matrix 66 Table 4. Funding History for the Atchafalaya Heritage Area 86 Table 5. Income and Expenditures (2009-2011) 88 Table 6. Evaluation Criteria by Goal and Implementation Time Frame 96 Table 7. Audiences, Themes, and Implementation Goals 111 Table 8. Resource Theme Matrix Sample – Full Matrix is in Appendix B 119

ix Contents of Volume One

x Chapter 1 Background

Sherburne Wildlife Management Area Photo Credit: Charlie Fryling back of divider

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BRAND STATEMENT

Our country’s landscape is rich and mysterious. It is filled with twisting bayous, backwater lakes, vast marshes, and America’s largest river swamp. We have fields of sugar cane and cotton, ancient live oaks and towering cypress. Alligators, raccoons, and even bears roam our lands while 270 species of birds take to our skies. From our waters come catfish, shrimp, and the crawfish that make us so well known.

From this bounty, our country has created food unique to the entire world. Our cuisine is an intricate mixture of European as well as African and Native American descent using ingredients such as roux, picante, the trinity – onion, bell pepper and celery, filé, and tasso. We eat boudin, gumbo, étouffée, and gateau sirop.

With food comes celebration. Our country’s musicians have inspired the world of rock and roll, country, gospel and rockabilly. Our native music is a complex melding of culture to create the Cajun rhythm and the staccato of zydeco. We use the frottoir and the accordion, the triangle and the fiddle. We dance the two-step, the waltz, and the jig.

The music and food are emblems of our country’s rich culture. From the Diaspora of L’Acadie in Canada and colonial French influence comes our French speaking tradition. This melded with our deep Native American and African American roots created our Cajun dialect. Ours is a history of man and nature in an often-foreboding and always majestic environment. Our history and culture remain intact and we celebrate it with a joie de vivre unmatched in other lands. Our country is vast and varied but we share the story of water and swamp, man and survival around the river we call the Atchafalaya, still traveling our waters as did our forebears.

We invite you to journey through our country and explore our mysterious landscape, dine on our rich cuisine, celebrate with our music, and immerse yourself in our culture. Our country requires no passport, because our country is right here in America.

The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, America’s Foreign Country

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The Atchafalaya Trace Commission (Commission) is the coordinating entity of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area that was previously known as the "Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area" when it was a state heritage area.

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DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION

NOTE: This chapter concludes with a description of the applicable laws and policies to which the This document is offered in two volumes: plan must adhere. volume one contains general information about the national heritage area, background Chapter one also discusses other key information regarding the planning effort, a government plans at the federal, state, and short description of the preferred local level, how this plan relates to them, and alternative, an implementation plan that how the Commission is working with other could be applied to any of the alternatives, agencies on mutual goals and interests. and an interpretation plan that would also apply to any of the alternatives. Limited hard Chapter Two: Preferred Management copies are available of volume one; it is also Focus (Preferred Alternative) available online and is also available on a This chapter describes the key points of the compact disc. preferred management focus—Heritage Connection: Nature, Culture, History and Volume two contains the environmental Recreation—including the concepts, related assessment, including a more complete interpretive themes, and potential partners. discussion of all of the alternatives, a This alternative is further explained and description of the affected environment, an analyzed in chapter five of volume two. analysis of the environmental impacts, and a description of the consultation and Chapter Three: Implementation Plan coordination activities associated with this This chapter discusses the specific strategies, planning effort. No hardcopies of volume performance goals, and related timing for two have been printed. It is available online implementing of any of the management and on the compact disc. alternatives. Actions are organized based on the heritage area goals. Guidance for selecting projects, including implementation VOLUME ONE principles, criteria and best management practices are also included. This chapter also Chapter One: Background lists current and potential partners and This chapter sets the framework for the existing and potential sources of funding. entire document. It discusses the National Finally, evaluation criteria is presented. Heritage Area Program and the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area more specifically. An Chapter Four: Interpretation Plan overview of the history of the Atchafalaya The interpretation plan developed with the region and culture, significance of the area, State of Louisiana includes more details and legislative requirements, including those about the interpretive themes and associated that guided this plan, are included. stories, as well as sites and resources related to those themes. An analysis of resources Chapter one covers the foundation for and strategies for reaching various audiences planning and management which includes are also included. vision, mission, goals and interpretive themes for the heritage area. The chapter Appendixes related to volume one are also details the planning opportunities and found at the end of volume one. issues that were raised during public scoping meetings and initial planning team efforts. 5

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

VOLUME TWO visitor market characteristics. Chapter Six also includes threats to resources and Chapter Five: Management Alternatives, recommends future studies. Including the Preferred Alternative This chapter begins with a discussion of the Chapter Seven: Environmental Impacts scope of the environmental assessment— analyzes the impacts of implementing each specifically what issues and impact topics are alternative. The analysis covers each topic or are not analyzed within this document. described in Chapter Five. Methods used for Then there is a description of the no-action assessing the intensity, type, and duration of alternative (Alternative A). Three other impacts are outlined at the beginning of the alternatives for managing the heritage area chapter. The chapter includes a summary are presented next: Alternative B: Focus on table of the four alternatives, including the Natural Resources and Related Recreation, no action alternative, and the environmental Alternative C: Focus On History and consequences of implementing them. Current Cultures, and Alternative D: The Heritage Connection: Nature, Culture, Chapter Eight: Consultation and History and Recreation. Alternative D is the Coordination describes the history of preferred alternative. public and agency coordination during the planning effort, including Native American Chapter Six: Affected Environment consultations, and any future compliance describes those areas and resources that requirements. It also lists agencies and would be affected by implementing the organizations that will be receiving copies of actions contained in the alternatives. It is the document. organized according to the following topics: natural resources, historic and cultural Additional Appendixes, References, and a resources, recreational resources, scenic list of Preparers and Consultants are found resources, socioeconomic conditions, and at the end of volume two.

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NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS

A national heritage area is a nationally National Park Service (NPS), unless some distinctive landscape shaped by natural, land was previously set aside as a unit of the cultural, historic and recreational resources national park system, or if in the future, that is recognized by the U.S. Congress. A some land independently qualifies as a park heritage area tells a nationally important unit. If land within the established story through its geography, its manmade boundaries of a national heritage area is structures, and the traditions that have owned by the federal government, it is as a evolved within its landscape. result of prior legislation establishing the site, such as a military installation, a national National heritage areas are managed by a forest, etc. The federal government does not local coordinating entity in partnership with acquire land, manage land, or impose land various stakeholders. These stakeholders use controls through the establishment of a include individual citizens; local, state, and national heritage area. Rather, national federal governments; nonprofit groups; and heritage areas accomplish their goals private sector groups. Together these through partnerships with governments, stakeholders work to preserve the integrity organizations, businesses, and individuals. of their distinct landscape and local stories Thus, NPS involvement is advisory in nature. so that future generations will understand The National Park Service provides their relationship with the land. This technical, planning and limited financial collaborative approach does not assistance to national heritage areas. The compromise traditional local control over National Park Service is a partner and and use of the land. advisor; decision-making authority is retained by the local people and Using this approach, national heritage areas communities. However, the National Park are based on their constituents’ pride in Service will continue to play a role in review their history and traditions and their interest of the management plan and evaluation of and involvement in retaining and progress in implementing the management interpreting their special landscapes. plan. The National Park Service also has Heritage areas work across traditional discretion regarding National Heritage Area boundaries in order to collaboratively shape Program funds. a plan and implementation strategy that preserves the area’s unique and distinct qualities. HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA PROGRAM For more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/ Since 1984, Congress has created forty-nine national heritage areas, stretching from the FAQ/INDEX.HTM Essex National Heritage Area in

Massachusetts to the newly designated

Kenai Mountain-Turnagain Arm National THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A Heritage Area in Alaska. NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA AND A NATIONAL PARK In the first ten years of the federal program, A national heritage area is not a unit of the Congress typically designated historic national park system; no land within the transportation corridors. Among the first heritage area is owned or managed by the designated areas—and now firmly 7

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND established—are Illinois and Michigan Canal Cultural Heritage Corridor—created a single National Heritage Corridor, Blackstone heritage area encompassing resources and River Valley National Heritage Corridor, stories from multiple states. Path of Progress National Heritage Tour Route, the Quinebaugh and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, and the HISTORY OF THE ATCHAFALAYA Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA Corridor. "Atchafalaya" is an American Indian word These initial heritage areas largely reflected meaning “long river.” The Atchafalaya Basin preservation planning, resource and region is among the most culturally rich conservation, and economic development and ecologically varied regions in the United concerns regarding how to revitalize older States. It is home to the widely recognized industrial corridors. Cajun culture as well as a diverse population of European, African, Caribbean, and Native In 1996, Congress approved nine new American descent. The stories of the designations, half of which continued the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area are focus on corridors. The other half, however, emblematic of the broader American reflected the influence of local activists who experience. Here there are opportunities to pushed for a different approach to designate understand and witness the complicated, large regions united by shared heritage and sometimes harmonious, sometimes connected historic patterns. The Rivers of adversarial interplay between nature and Steel National Heritage Area focused on the culture. The history of the United States has folkways, industrial history, and labor been shaped, in part, by the complex history of the greater Pittsburgh region. Silos interaction of its people working with, and Smokestacks National Heritage Area against, and for nature. Within the looked at the interplay of agriculture and Atchafalaya, a penchant for adventure, industry in northeast Iowa. Cane River adaptation, ingenuity, and exploitation has National Heritage Area focused on created a unique cultural legacy. connections and interplay, this time between Louisiana’s Creole and African American In response to congressional direction, the cultures. The largest heritage area was the National Park Service prepared a special Tennessee Civil War National Heritage resource study on the Atchafalaya Basin. The Area, where citizens, historians, and officials focus of this study was six parishes: Pointe insisted on state boundaries to define a Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin, Iberville, program to better protect, interpret, and Iberia, and St. Mary. The study evaluated the enhance resources and stories from the Civil resources of the area for national War through Reconstruction. significance, examined how resources were protected, and looked at the suitability and More recently, Congress has designated feasibility of including the area in the both corridors and areas as national heritage national park system. The study also areas. There has been a trend toward explored how basin resources could be designated larger areas reflecting historic protected, interpreted, and used for public themes and patterns: aviation history in benefit. Dayton, Ohio; the American Revolution in New Jersey; Abraham Lincoln in Illinois; and In 1998, the NPS Atchafalaya Basin Special the Mormon pioneer experience in Utah. Resource Study was released (September Four recent efforts—Freedom’s Frontier 1998). That study determined that, based on National Heritage Area, the Journey the NPS Criteria for Parklands, the Through Hallowed Ground National resources of the Atchafalaya Basin do not Heritage Area, the Great Basin Natural fully meet the requirements necessary for Heritage Route, and the Gullah/Geechee the creation of a separate, independent unit 8 National Heritage Areas of the national park system, largely due to 2006 gave the existing Atchafalaya Trace flood management requirements. The study Commission, an agency of the Louisiana did find the Atchafalaya Basin to be an Department of Culture, Recreation and outstanding example of a natural resource, Tourism under the Office of the Lieutenant possesses exceptional value in illustrating Governor, the authority to oversee the and interpreting many key natural and development of a federal management plan cultural themes of our nation's heritage, and and to coordinate the implementation of its offers exceptional opportunities for recommendations. The Commission is recreation, public use and enjoyment, and composed of 14 members appointed by the scientific study. governing authority of each parish within the heritage area, with terms not to exceed During the development of the special three years. resource study, thirteen of the fourteen parishes in the Atchafalaya National For the complete text of the National Heritage Area were designated a Louisiana Heritage Act of 2006, visit the following state heritage area in 1997 and a state plan website: was developed for the area. While the study http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xp included the area in the Atchafalaya Basin, d?bill=s109-203 and scroll down to the state broadened the area to 13 parishes subtitle B. when creating the state heritage area. With the conversion of the basin to a floodway, much of the population moved from the ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL basin to the surrounding parishes and HERITAGE AREA TIMELINE continued their unique lifeways outside the Atchafalaya Basin. 1997 The state legislature recognizes the area as a state heritage area and the As a result of the findings in the special Atchafalaya Trace Commission is resource study, four years of successful established operations under the state management 1998 National Park Service releases its plan, and many years of local work and Atchafalaya Basin Special Resource support from the Louisiana Congressional Study delegation, the Atchafalaya National 2001 A state management plan for the area Heritage Area was designated on October 6, is presented for public input 2006 with the enactment of The National 2002 The state legislature adopts the state Heritage Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-338). management plan (See “Appendix A: Legislation.”) The state legislature creates the The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area “Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area stretches across 14 parishes in south-central Development Zone Tax Credit Louisiana: Ascension, Assumption, Program” Avoyelles, Concordia, East and West Baton 2006 Congress designates Atchafalaya Rouge, Iberia, Iberville, Lafayette, Pointe National Heritage Area Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Terrebonne. The National Heritage Act of

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HERITAGE AREA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area was ON-GOING PROJECTS a state heritage area for nine years before • designation as a national heritage area. A Launch of sign planning and Phase 1 management plan was developed in 2003, of sign development and since then, the Atchafalaya Heritage • Management of Atchafalaya Area Commission and the Louisiana Office Heritage Development Zone Tax of Tourism have been working toward Credit Program implementing that plan, and have prioritized • implementation of best practices developed Assisting partners in trail by the Alliance for National Heritage Areas. development: The following projects and programs have o Interpretive wetland trail near been completed or are on-going as of the the Atchafalaya Welcome Center writing of this plan. The heritage area has in partnership with Little Leaf also worked with partners to reinvigorate a Louisiana and Louisiana signature event, Experience Atchafalaya Days Department of Natural and to implement a heritage area Resources development zone tax credit program. o Bayou Teche paddling trail in partnership with 3 parishes and a nonprofit paddling group. COMPLETED PROJECTS • Working with Commission’s • Achieved national heritage area Education Committee on initial designation project of adding school educational/field trips to web site • Developed a brand and graphic • identity package Researching in-school curriculum needs • Created regional map and brochures • Management of traveling exhibits • Designed specialty tours (some have • been completed, more will be Working with youth on various developed) projects including under-served youth awareness and restoration • Designed web site (currently on efforts third update) • Collaborating with National Park • Partnered to develop and produce Service to highlight sites and events Experience Atchafalaya Days festival within the heritage area related to • Obtained grants in support of the 150th anniversary of the Civil cultural festivals War • Created program to preserve local heritage and traditional enterprises: the Atchafalaya Heritage EXPERIENCE ATCHAFALAYA DAYS Development Zone, incorporating a To date, one of the key outreach efforts for tax credit program the heritage area has been Experience • Published an educational and Atchafalaya Days. The success of this promotional DVD popular event showcasing the natural and cultural resources of the Atchafalaya 10

Heritage Area Accomplishments

National Heritage Area is a testimony to the “putt-putt” boat rides, and evening wildlife grass-roots power of a dedicated group of watching. volunteers. For those more interested in history and Experience Atchafalaya Days first began in culture, there are book signings; cemetery 2002 with Louisiana’s governor designating tours; traditional craft demonstrations;, art October as “Atchafalaya Month.” Spear- and photography exhibits and classes; and headed by volunteer groups, the event presentations and lectures covering continued for a few years, but eventually was intriguing topics such as native plant use, discontinued. creating a backyard wildlife habitat, the coast and the Wetlands, the art of kayak In 2009, one of the original groups, Friends fishing, living in a swamp, and more. In of Atchafalaya (FOA) partnered with the addition, existing cultural and agricultural heritage area to revive Experience events occurring in October that reflect Atchafalaya Days. Friends of Atchafalaya is a heritage area themes enjoy additional nonprofit organization dedicated to promotion through Experience Atchafalaya promoting conservation and awareness of Days; these including Creole, Cajun, French the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway, which is Food, Sugar Cane, Gumbo and other America's largest river swamp and located festivals. The multitude of events allows a centrally within the national heritage area. variety of audiences to be reached, and the With a grant from the Louisiana Office of month-long calendar of activities allows for Tourism and support from several state word-of-mouth marketing among niche agencies and nonprofit groups, Experience markets. Atchafalaya Days kicked off on October 1, 2009, celebrating Atchafalaya Month. Nearly two dozen events were created for ATCHAFALAYA HERITAGE Atchafalaya Month, and recognition and DEVELOPMENT ZONE promotion were provided for over 50 previously planned area events which The Atchafalaya Heritage Area Development supported the missions of Atchafalaya Zone tax credit program is designed to National Heritage Area and Friends of stimulate economic development within the Atchafalaya. October 2010 saw an enhanced, 14-parish Atchafalaya National Heritage even more successful version of Experience Area. The program aims to support and Atchafalaya Days. sustain authentic cottage industries—the very fabric of the heritage area’s culture and During Experience Atchafalaya Days, events identity. and activities reach out to varied audiences to increase awareness of the environment, The program targets small businesses, with acquaint participants with the natural no more than twenty full- or part-time resources, cultural resources, and employees, that interpret, access, develop, recreational opportunities in the Atchafalaya promote, or reinforce the unique character National Heritage Area, and inform citizens and characteristics of the heritage area. of government agencies’ projects. A variety Eligible businesses include bed and of adventures, classes, presentations, and breakfasts; camping; houseboats and recreational activities are offered by recreational vehicle facilities; museums, individuals and organizations for interested including living museums and interpretive residents and visitors. Among outdoor facilities; artists and crafters of authentic or activities offered are swamp and bayou locally made products; authentic food kayak expeditions, moonlight canoe trips, packaging, production, and harvesting; eagle and other birding trips, archaeology music production and instrument making; outings, hiking trips, litter pick-ups, old historic homes, house museums, and historic sites; boat, canoe, kayak, and bicycle rentals; 11 CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND wild and scenic sites; hunting, fishing, and nature videographer, 8 artists, a musician, a birding guide services; tour planning and taxidermist, 9 bed and breakfast inns, cultural guide services; swamp, airboat, 2 product retailers, a seafood processor, an helicopter, plane, and balloon tours; retail author, a nature photographer, an facilities of authentic products; and agricultural tour guide, a fishing charter agricultural tours. Hotels, motels, service, and an outdoor outfitter. Through restaurants, gaming facilities, churches, and 2010, $48,000 worth of tax credits have been housing are not eligible. awarded.The program is due to sunset January 2012. Since the program’s inception, 29 businesses have qualified for and received the award: a

12 Heritage Area Accomplishments

Figure 1. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

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OVERVIEW OF THE REGION, PEOPLES, AND HISTORY OF THE ATCHAFALAYA BASIN

REGIONAL DESCRIPTION including alligators; and an astonishing array of migratory waterfowl, forest-dwelling The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is a mammals (such as deer, squirrel, and national treasure of history, culture, and beaver), and other commercially important nature in south central Louisiana. This furbearers. region is one of the most complex and least understood places in Louisiana and the Well over 270 species of birds—some of nation. Yet, the stories of the Atchafalaya them endangered—have been recorded in National Heritage Area are emblematic of the Basin and its surrounding natural areas, the broader American experience. Here from songbirds to waterfowl. Bottomland there are opportunities to understand and hardwood-dependent species breed here in witness the complicated, sometimes some of the highest densities ever recorded harmonious, sometimes adversarial interplay in annual North American Breeding Bird between nature and culture. The history of Surveys. The Basin is also critical breeding the United States has been shaped by the habitat for species, including little blue complex dance of its people working with, heron and yellow-crowned night-heron; against, and for nature. Within the great and snowy egrets; swallow-tailed and Atchafalaya region, a penchant for Mississippi kites; and prothonotary, adventure, adaptation, ingenuity, and Swainson's, and Kentucky warblers. exploitation has created a cultural legacy unlike that of anywhere else in the world. The Basin additionally forms part of the Mississippi Valley Flyway for migratory The current boundary encompasses waterfowl and is a major wintering ground approximately 10,400 square miles and for thousands of these geese and ducks. In consists of the whole of the following general, the Atchafalaya Basin has a parishes in the State of Louisiana: Ascension, significant proportion of North America's Assumption, Avoyelles, Concordia, East breeding wading birds, such as herons, Baton Rouge, Iberia, Iberville, Lafayette, egrets, ibises, and spoonbills. Some of the Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. largest flocks of Wood Storks in North Mary, Terrebonne, and West Baton Rouge. America summer here; and the southern part The heart of the heritage area is the of the Basin is home to a healthy population Atchafalaya Basin. It is the largest river of bald eagles every winter. swamp in the United States—larger than the more widely known Everglades and The Atchafalaya River runs through the Okefenokee Swamp. The Atchafalaya center of the Basin. In times of flooding, the swamp is characterized by a maze of streams river basin serves as the key in controlling and bayous and at one time was thickly floodwaters headed for Baton Rouge and forested with cypress and tupelo trees. The New Orleans by diverting water from the Basin provides outstanding habitat for a Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. The remarkably diverse array of wildlife, region's dynamic system of waterways and including the endangered American bald geology reveals a landscape that is at once eagle and Louisiana black bear. The region's fragile and awesome. unique ecology teems with life. The area is home to more than 85 species of fish, crawfish, and other crustaceans; wildlife 14

Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin

It is more than just a floodway, however, as have past lives as ancient Atchafalaya Basin. the geology and natural systems of the This is one of the reasons this heritage area Atchafalaya National Heritage Area have covers such a large geographic area. fueled the economy of the region for centuries. For decades, cypress, cotton, Moreover, manipulating the waters of the sugarcane, crawfish, salt, oil, gas, and Atchafalaya has severely disrupted its Spanish moss have been important sources delicate ecology. Recent threats include an of income for the region's residents. The overabundance of exotic floating and crawfish industry has been particularly submerged plant species that threaten the important to the lives of Atchafalaya commercial and sport fishing activities of the residents, and Louisiana has become the Basin. In addition, vast amounts of sediment largest crawfish producer in the United from the diverted Mississippi River waters States. Unfortunately, natural resource enter the Basin each year. The sediment extraction and a changing environment have buildup can be very rapid and concentrated, drastically depleted many of these resources raising the level of the land in some areas of and forced residents to find new ways to the Basin and filling in waterways. make a living. Over the centuries, the ever-changing Over the past century, the Atchafalaya Basin natural environment has shaped the lives of has become a study of man's monumental the people living in the Basin. Residents have effort to control nature. After the profited from and been imperiled by nature. catastrophic Mississippi River flood of 1927 The popular cultural identity of the region is that left thousands dead and millions strongly associated with the Cajuns, displaced, Congress decreed that the U.S. descendents of the French-speaking Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) should Acadians who settled in south Louisiana develop an intricate system of levees to after being deported by the British from protect human settlements, particularly New Nova Scotia (formerly known as Acadia). Orleans. Today, the Mississippi River is Some 2,500 to 3,000 exiled Acadians caged within the walls of earthen and repatriated in Louisiana, where they concrete levees and manipulated with a proceeded to reestablish their former complex system of locks and floodgates. The society. Today, in spite of complex social, Atchafalaya River and Basin, which parallel cultural, and demographic transformations, the Mississippi, serve as the primary Cajuns maintain a sense of group identity floodway for high Mississippi waters that and continue to display a distinctive set of must be diverted and prevented from cultural expressions nearly 250 years after inundating Baton Rouge and New Orleans. their exile from Acadia. Moreover, just like the Mississippi, this complex Atchafalaya floodway is encased by Cajun culture has become increasingly its own levee system, most notably the popular outside of Louisiana. Culinary massive East and West Guide Levees that specialties adapted from France and now define what is commonly referred to as Acadia—such as etouffee, boudin, andouille, the “Basin.” crepes, beignets, and stews and sauces thickened with roux—delight food lovers It should be noted, however, that well beyond Louisiana's borders. Cajun historically, the Atchafalaya naturally music has also “gone mainstream,” with its flooded a much larger area, including the blend of French folk songs and ballads and Bayou Teche Ridge to the west and the instrumental dance music, as well as more Mississippi and Bayou Lafourche ridges to recent popular country, rhythm-and-blues, the east. Although many of these areas now and rock music influences. While the lie outside the levees (or “basin”), they still growing interest in Cajun culture has raised reflect much of the same ecology and clearly appreciation for its unique traditions, many 15

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND of the region's residents are concerned a rich tapestry of history and traditions, about the growing commercialization and evidenced by the architecture, music, stereotyping that threaten to diminish the language, food, and festivals that are unlike authentic Cajun way of life. those of any other place. (Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and While the Atchafalaya National Heritage Tourism 2002). Area may be well known for its Cajun culture, there is an astonishing array of other Four regional maps of the heritage area have cultures within these 14 parishes. Outside of been developed that provide a sampling of New Orleans, the Atchafalaya National the many resources and places of interest in Heritage Area is the most racially and the heritage area. These are found on the ethnically complex region of Louisiana and following pages. has been for many years. Indeed, a long legacy of multiculturalism presents These maps are interesting opportunities to examine how so Upper Atchafalaya many distinct cultures have survived in Bayou Teche Corridor relative harmony. There may be interesting lessons to learn from this area as our nation Between Two Rivers becomes increasingly heterogeneous. The Coastal Zone cultural complexity of the region has created

16 Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin

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CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

18 Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin

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CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

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Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin

HISTORY OF PEOPLES AND CULTURE bottomed boats), luggers, and steamboats. Humankind has had to accommodate its will Introduction to—and test its ingenuity against—the Principal sources used for preparation of overriding and often deceptive power of the this historical review include the following: Atchafalaya River. • Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Atchafalaya Native Americans Trace Commission and Heritage Area, The Atchafalaya Basin’s cultural history goes The Atchafalaya Trace: Heritage Area back at least 2,500 years and perhaps more Management Plan, 2002; than 6,000 years when Native Americans • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, were living in the Basin along natural levees Mississippi River Commission, New and bayous—a time when the Mississippi Orleans District, Atchafalaya Basin River flowed down the course of the Floodway System: Louisiana: Feasibility present-day Bayou Teche. Archeological Study, Volume 3, Technical research indicates that many mound sites Appendixes, Appendix E, Social and and villages on natural levees and along Cultural Resources, 1982 bayous within the Basin date from AD 700- 1700. It appears that the first widespread • Benjamin D. Maygarden and Jill-Karen movement by people into the middle of the Yakubik, Bayou Chene: The Life Story Atchafalaya swamp occurred around AD of an Atchafalaya Basin Community, 500. Settlement remained concentrated on 1999 the high natural levees of the major rivers • National Park Service, U.S. Department and large bayous. of the Interior, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana: Special Resource Study, 1998 In the upper portions of the Basin, villages • Louisiana Department of Natural began to develop at such places as Peche Resources, Atchafalaya Basin: FY 2010 Rouge Nord, Charenton Beach, and Bayou Draft Annual Plan, Atchafalaya Basin Sorrel. At varying distances surrounding Program, 2010 these large villages were smaller contempo- rary settlements. In the swamp’s southern portion, semi-permanent camps were The environment in the Atchafalaya established on elevated spots. Sites of National Heritage Area has exerted an activity such as temporary camps or perhaps exceptionally strong force upon humans and sites used by small family units radiated from their lifeways. Most economic activities in these semi-permanent camps. These types of the Basin—hunting, fishing, trapping, settlement patterns existed when European logging, Spanish moss gathering, oil explorers reached the area. extraction, and commercial catfish and crawfish farming—have been based directly Native Americans harvested the area’s upon available natural resources. Residents plentiful fish and shellfish and hunted have profited from the Basin’s natural reptiles, birds, deer, and small mammals. features, and they have also been imperiled Indian tribes historically associated with the by them. Large-scale population movements basin include the Chitimacha, Attakapas, and resettlements have resulted directly Opelousa, Houma, Coushatta, Alabama, from the dynamic nature of the Atchafalaya Tunica-Biloxi, Avoyel, and Taensas. Native River. By almost any measure, in terms of American associations with the “great geomorphology it is the most active region swamp” are evidenced by numerous of its size in North America. This has present-day place names, including worked as both a barrier to land-based Atchafalaya (hacha falaia or “long river”), travelers and as an asset for those using bayou (bayuk), Catahoula (oka hullo), pirogues, bateaux (shallow-draft, flat- 21

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

Chacahoula (chukka hullo), Plaquemine victory in the Seven Years War (commonly (piakimin), and Whiskey Bay (oski abeha). known as the French and Indian War in the United States) in 1763, interned Acadians in The Chitimacha Indian tribe is the one Nova Scotia began to seek a nouvelle Acadie. identifiable group with the longest historical In 1765, Acadians began moving to ties to the Atchafalaya Basin. The original Louisiana and settling in New Orleans and tribal territory was a triangular trace of land along the Teche Ridge. In that year, Poste subsuming the middle and lower Atchafalaya des Attakapas (present-day St. Martinville) Basin. A tribal population of 4,000 has been was established by several hundred Acadian estimated for the year 1650. More than 15 refugees who arrived in Louisiana via Santo villages were clustered on Bayou Teche, Domingo. Upon establishing new Grand Lake, Grand River, Bayou settlements, the Acadians adapted to their Plaquemine, and Butte La Rose. The new environment and developed skills— Chitimacha were accorded reservation rudimentary farming, hunting, gathering, status in 1925 and allocated 283 acres of land fishing, logging, and ranching—that allowed in the Charenton community, southwest of them to survive in the challenging, yet fertile, the Basin. At present, Chitimacha, Tunica- swamp. Biloxi and state tribe Houma continue to use portions of the national heritage area for Over time, the Acadians intermarried with traditional activities. other settlers of the area, including Hispanics, Old World and Canadian French, European Incursions Anglo-Americans, Native Americans, and enslaved Africans, resulting in what European incursions into what became ultimately became known as French Creole Louisiana began with the expedition of culture. Hernando De Soto in 1543. In 1682, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle claimed the According to the “Louisiana Studies in Mississippi River and the lands that it Historic Preservation” website, the meaning drained for France. of the word “Creole” has changed over time. Once it meant offspring of French In 1703, the British won control over most of aristocrats born in the New World. what was then known as Acadia (present- However, Louisianans have broadened the day Nova Scotia, Canada). Although the definition to include individuals of long-established population of French European descent, particularly descendents Acadian settlers agreed to live peaceably of the French and Spanish settlers. There are under British control, it refused to forfeit its also “Creoles of Color”—Louisianans of religion. Seen as enemies by the British, the mixed (mainly) French, African, Spanish, Acadians were forcibly expelled from Nova and Native American heritage. Scotia. Approximately, 8,000 French- speaking residents were removed to various Cajuns, the descendents of the Acadian colonies of the Eastern seaboard as well as to exiles who make up a significant portion of England, France, and other countries. south Louisiana’s population and have exerted an enormous impact on the state’s During the early 1700s, French settlers culture, are classified as an ethnic group. arrived in the Atchafalaya Basin to engage in Many present-day residents in the fur trading with the Native Americans and Atchafalaya Basin area can trace their roots launch raids into tribal areas to acquire back to the Acadians; the unique Cajun slaves. By the time peace was reached in heritage is expressed in the food, music, and 1718, the Native American population had traditions of the area. As Euro-American declined drastically as a result of warfare and settlement in the area increased, remnants of the introduction of new diseases for which the area’s decimated Native American they had no immunity. Following British population migrated to other areas. For 22 Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin example, the Houma—who had resided on flowering plant that grows upon larger the east bank of the Mississippi River in the trees—commonly the Southern Live Oak or Pointe Coupee vicinity—migrated to the Bald Cypress—was used for various southeastern edge of the Atchafalaya swamp purposes, including building insulation; as a result of pressure from European mulch; packing material; fiber; and mattress, settlement. Other Native American peoples furniture, and (later) automobile seat were placed on reservations such as the stuffing. Tunica-Biloxi Reservation in Avoyelles Parish during the late 18th century. During the 18th century, planters and government officials occasionally freed Growth During the 18th Century slaves for exemplary public service (e.g., service in the Natchez War, 1729-30) or for After the portion of Louisiana that included long and faithful service. Increasingly, the Atchafalaya Basin was ceded to Spain in mistresses of French planters were freed, 1766, a small Spanish settlement was forming the foundation of a gens de couleur established at New Iberia under the libres population. Some of these people leadership of Don Francisco Bouligny in moved to the Attakapas (St. Martinville) and 1779. Although never substantial, Opelousas posts. Members of the Acadian, immigration and settlement in the French Creole, and Black Creole groups Atchafalaya Basin continued steadily intermarried with local Chitimacha, throughout the Spanish period. Attakapas, and other Indian populations, producing Creole-speaking, mixed blood During the late 18th century, more than populations. 3,000 Acadians arrived in Louisiana at the invitation of the early settlers. By the end of Early access to and within the Basin was by this period, rural Acadian communities had water transportation. The two main routes been established on Bayous Lafourche and prior to 1803 entered the swamp through Teche, on the Mississippi River below Bayou Plaquemine on the Basin’s eastern Donaldsonville, and at St. Gabriel, with side. The northern route followed Bayou smaller numbers scattered among St. Plaquemine to Bayou Gross Tete and then Landry, Pointe Coupee, and East and West along the Grand and Atchafalaya rivers and Baton Rouge parishes. During the early Bayou Courtableau to Bayou Teche at Point years, use of the Basin’s abundant Barre. The southern route followed Bayou resources—hardwood forests, cypress Plaquemine, Grand River, and Bayou Sorrel swamps, bayous, and marshes—for into Grand Lake. This route continued subsistence and commerce bound the area’s through the lake into Bayou Teche via the residents together, as logging, agriculture, lower Atchafalaya River near present-day and cattle farming became staples of basin Patterson. Passage through Bayou life. A few settlers established themselves on Plaquemine depended on the level of the the natural levees growing subsistence crops Mississippi River. About 1810, the Attakapas of pumpkins, maize, beans, and rice. These Canal between Bayou Lafourche and Lake crops were supplemented with furs and Verret was completed, opening a new route other natural resources obtained from the into the Basin from the east. swamp. Some planters cultivated cash crops of indigo and cotton, and some Between 1791 and 1810, the Haitian experimented with sugar cane. Enslaved Revolution and slave rebellion drove French Africans were brought to the Basin and by and French Creoles into the newly 1803, the area had a population of 3,746; its established American territory of Orleans, chief products included cotton, sugar, which the United States had purchased from molasses, lumber, staves, shingles, and France in 1803. Throughout the American Spanish moss. The latter product, a territorial period and the period of early 23

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND statehood, which was granted to Louisiana In 1825, interracial unions were forbidden in 1812, the population along the natural by Louisiana civil code, increasing racism levees of Bayou Teche grew rapidly. Some of and resulting in a three-tiered caste system: these immigrants, including free people of White, free (mulatto) Creole, and Black. color, moved westward, settling on both Most of the progeny of previous interracial sides of the Atchafalaya Basin. Many of these unions was subsumed into the Creole families became successful farmers and category, although local Whites and Blacks ranchers, some holding slaves of their own. also contained a large degree of blood from Typical households were composed of other races. mixed-race populations, headed, generally, by a free person of color or a white person. During the 1830s and 1840s, sugar cane became the area’s major crop, resulting in a Inexpensive land prices fueled Anglo growing demand for agricultural land and immigration westward between 1810 and accelerated growth of a plantation system 1865, as agriculture diversified and cash based on Black slavery. During the 1840s crops grew in importance. Still, the Anglo planters and recent immigrants from population growth remained along the the North began purchasing good farmland natural levees—in particular in the areas along the crests of the natural levees of the around Bayou Teche. By the late 1810s, Mississippi River and Bayou Teche. Cash- settlement continued on the high natural strapped Cajun and Creole families sold out levees of Bayous Boeuf and Teche and began because of their inability to continue making in the interior sections of the Basin such as tax payments. Many Cajuns and Creoles left Bayou Plaquemine. The lack of suitable their farms and moved into the Atchafalaya lands for agricultural purposes and the Basin. As swamp settlers, they underwent a difficulty of transporting products to period of readjustment, returning to fishing markets, however, limited the area’s and trapping. Thus, they became largely exploitation. isolated in the Basin, both by geography and their “French” cultural affiliation and Industry and Commerce During the Roman Catholic religious affiliation. 19th Century Settlements were established on Bayous Grosse Tete and Sorrel and plantations on The introduction of steamboats, with their Bayous Chene, Crook Chene, and River de shallow draft and maneuverability, helped to Plomb. About 30%of the settling population open the Basin to economic development. consisted of free people of color, and 5% The first steamboats reached the Atchafalaya were Native Americans (Maygarden and in 1819, with the Louisianais being one of the Yakubik 1999). earliest. New Iberia became a center for steamboat operations. During high water By the 1850s, the plantation society was in periods in the late winter and early spring, full bloom in the Atchafalaya Basin area, and steamboats operated in Bayous Plaquemine wealthy planters evidenced upper class and Teche. The steamboats transported lifestyle and value systems dominated by livestock, passengers, and cargo in and out leisure and recreation, travel, and of the Basin. Shoals and snags sank or conspicuous consumption. The plantation damaged many of the vessels and violent system extended not only to the Teche thunderstorms in the Gulf of Mexico Ridge area but also to the adjacent levees of resulted in the sinking of many more. Bayous Black and Boeuf, the interior of the Despite these dangers and seasonal Basin, the natural levees of the Atchafalaya limitations, however, steamboats proved River north of Butte LaRose, Bayous Pigeon essential for the rapid development of the and Sorrel, and the Grand River. plantation system along the margins of the Atchafalaya Basin. In 1857, the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Railroad was completed from 24 Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin

Algiers, on the Mississippi River across from lines of a new theater of war. That autumn, New Orleans, to the Atchafalaya River at Union troops occupied the Bayou Lafourche Berwick Bay. The railroad, which took five country and the lower basin centered on years to complete, resulted in land Brashear City (now Morgan City), while also speculation in the Basin, reorganized the seeking a way to reduce the Confederate Basin’s transportation and settlement, and stronghold at Port Hudson and gain control sparked the development of what was to of the lower Mississippi. Efforts along the become the Atchafalaya Basin’s major urban river failed, and in April 1863 Union Maj. area, Brashear City. With completion of the Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks led a land and naval railroad, regular steamboat service from offensive 18,000 strong up the Teche and Berwick Bay to Galveston was initiated by Atchafalaya to destroy Confederate forces the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great under General Richard Taylor in western Western Company in conjunction with Louisiana and stop the flow of Cornelius Vanderbilt, a national shipping reinforcements and supplies from Texas thus magnate. isolating Port Hudson and even Vicksburg upstream. (Frazier 2010) During the first several decades of the 19th century, the Red River, a major tributary of The campaign proved successful. Federal the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers, was forces drove the Confederates before them, unnavigable because of a collection of fallen fighting sharp battles at Bisland and Irish trees that formed a logjam known as the Bend in St. Mary Parish and pursuing the “Great Raft” over 160 miles in length. The defeated army past Alexandria and driving logjam impeded the flow of water between most of the Texans to the Sabine River. The the rivers and blocked navigation on the Union gunboat flotilla destroyed several Atchafalaya River. As early as 1816 it was Confederate vessels and captured the length noted that the journey from the Gulf of of the Atchafalaya River opening lines of Mexico to the Red River could be shortened communications with Federal forces by 127 miles if the Atchafalaya were operating against Vicksburg. Banks, urged by rendered navigable. A substantial portion of many of his officers to push on to this raft was removed between the late 1830s Shreveport, decided to instead focus his and 1850 greatly increasing the river flow efforts on the Mississippi River and and allowing navigation between the evacuated the region in late May 1863, Atchafalaya, Red, and Mississippi rivers. crossing over at Simmesport after stripping Although commerce began to develop in the the region of cotton, sugar, horses, beeves, Atchafalaya Basin with the arrival of and slaves and destroying the property of steamboats, more severe flooding also secessionist sympathizers. (Frazier, 2010) occurred. The “Great Raft” was finally cleared in 1855 by Captain Henry Miller In cooperation with Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Shreve. The Atchafalaya Basin itself was Grant’s offensive against Vicksburg, cleared of logjams by 1861, resulting in rapid Mississippi, Maj. Gen. Banks’s army moved enlargement of the Atchafalaya River against the Confederate stronghold at Part channel, expansion of the wetland Hudson on the Mississippi River. The environment, and increased flooding of the military engagement at Port Hudson would area’s newly established settlements, farms, become the longest lasting siege in American and plantations. history. On May 27, 1863, after their frontal assaults were repulsed, the Federals settled The Civil War Years into a siege that lasted for 48 days. Banks renewed his assaults on June 14 but the During the Civil War, the fall of New Orleans defenders successfully repelled them. On and Baton Rouge to Federal forces in May July 9, 1963, after hearing of the fall of 1862 put the Atchafalaya Basin in the front Vicksburg, the Confederate garrison of Port 25

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

Hudson surrendered, opening the of civilian farms, institutions, and law and Mississippi River to Union navigation from order. (Frazier 2010) its source to New Orleans. In March 1864, the Union army tried again to The fighting at Port Hudson included one of erase the Confederate presence in Louisiana. the first major combat actions involving Converging columns moved up Bayou Teche enslaved Africans as soldiers in the Civil War. and Red River, meeting at Alexandria, On May 27, 1863, members of the Corps supported by a massive naval flotilla of d’Afrique (more particularly members of the warships and transports. Pushing on to 1st and 3rd Regiments of the Louisiana nearly Shreveport where this army hoped to Native Guards) bravely advanced over open be joined by a column from Arkansas, the ground in the face of deadly artillery fire. Confederates ambushed Banks’ column and Although the attack failed, the Black soldiers routed it at the Battle of Mansfield in early proved themselves to both their Union April, pursuing Banks back to Alexandria commanders as well as their confederate and ending the Union effort. The Federals adversaries through their ability to withstand quit the area in May, leaving towns and farms the heat of battle. More than 600 Black in flames along their path. After nearly a soldiers were killed in the Union attempts to week’s worth of skirmishing punctuated by take Port Hudson, the last Confederate pitched battle at Yellow Bayou in Avoyelles bastion on the Mississippi River. Parish, the Union troops returned to their previous positions, with most of the units Taylor took advantage of the Union move later transferring away to other theaters. For toward the Mississippi River by reoccupying the next nine months, the Atchafalaya Basin the ravaged Atchafalaya Basin region in saw reprisal violence and guerilla warfare, hopes of distracting enemy efforts against but no large invasions from either army. Port Hudson while at the same time (Frazier 2010) exhibiting a show of force to threaten the Federal stronghold in New Orleans. He Recovery after the Civil War launched a cavalry raid across the Atchafalaya River and down the Mississippi Post-Civil War recovery in the Atchafalaya River to the Bayou Lafourche region before Basin settlements and plantations was slow converging with another Confederate during the remaining decades of the 19th column, successfully destroying most of the century. The war had several major impacts enemy presence in the area by the end of on the sugar plantation system, including June 1863. (Frazier 2010) elimination of slavery, the primary labor source; destruction of homes, farm The Confederate success west of the buildings, agricultural facilities, and crops as Mississippi River in the spring and summer a result of the three Union invasions; and of 1863 was quickly doomed by the fall of disruption of financing and marketing Vicksburg and Port Hudson because Union structures. African Americans did not return forces were free to once again invade and to the Basin in sizable numbers; thus, they occupy the Atchafalaya Basin and the area were replaced by European and Anglo along its margins. The Texas Overland settlers. Campaign, a coordinated effort to crush Confederate resistance in the area (while also In 1869, New York shipping and rail operating against lines of supply and magnate Charles Morgan purchased the reinforcements from Texas), bogged down in New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western the fall of 1863, resulting in a series of small Railroad, and Brashear City was soon but brutal engagements and little else beyond renamed Morgan City. Morgan improved extending Union control over most of the the rail link to New Orleans, and in 1874, he Atchafalaya Basin and additional destruction had a 10-foot-deep, 200-foot-wide channel dredged for 6 miles through the mud flats

26 Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin and oyster reefs to the community. This Lumbering became a secondary source of permitted Morgan’s oceangoing vessels income, and by 1870 most males in the access to rail facilities. Later in 1880, Morgan Atchafalaya Basin were involved in “float” constructed a rail link which connected logging of cypress. New railroads permitted Berwick, Lafayette, Morgan City, and New the transportation of cypress to national Orleans. Morgan City grew, becoming a markets. Float logging had little impact on focal point for the area’s economy. By the the massive stands of virgin cypress, but the 1880s, the urban areas within and invention of the steam-powered pullboat in contiguous to the Atchafalaya Basin had 1889 and the overhead cableway railway become diversified as a result of improved skidder in 1892 resulted in full-scale rail and shipping links. Formerly almost industrial exploitation of the Basin’s cypress totally dependent on agricultural products resources. Additionally, the introduction of and related services, basin towns—especially the circular saw and later—and more Morgan City—were now serving as importantly—the band saw, allowed the collection and distribution centers for timber to be processed at ever increasing agricultural products, lumber, fish and rates. Saw mills and shingle mills were seafood, Spanish moss, pelts, and waterfowl. established along Bayou Teche and at The extractive economy that had developed Morgan City. In 1889, Louisiana sawmills in the Basin funneled its products through produced 248 billion board feet of cypress Morgan City to New Orleans. The growth of lumber. Steam boats moved through the the oyster industry was indicative of the Basin, collecting lumber and sugar. Canals area’s potential, and was closely paralleled were constructed to permit access of the by increases in other economic pursuits. pullboats and steamboats to remote areas of the Basin for logging, drastically affecting the Accelerated by the Civil War and postwar Basin’s ecosystem. By 1925, the lumber events, such as a devastating flood in 1874, boom was over; large portions of the the Atchafalaya Basin witnessed the Atchafalaya swamp had been clear-cut, emergence of a unique form of resulting in the near extinction of its old nonagricultural extractive economy growth cypress forests. centered on the seasonal exploitation of fish, alligators, migratory waterfowl, crabs, During the late 19th century, the tow-car crawfish, turtles, frogs, Spanish moss, and was invented, permitting large-scale fur animals in an annual round closely tied to movement of fish to Morgan City. Italians, changing water levels in the swamp and most of whom were Sicilians, arrived in the other ecological conditions. Swamp dwellers area as fruit peddlers and remained to turned increasingly toward wild resources to become prominent farmers and merchants supplement their subsistence garden foods, in towns such as Maringouin, St. Martinville, and some forsook the land and moved into and Morgan City. The latter emerged as a houseboats that could be moved as water boom town with seafood, freshwater fish, levels and fishing conditions changed. and lumber continuing as the mainstays in the Atchafalaya Basin through the turn of the During the post-Civil War decades, century and well into the 1930s. The local improved fishing methods led to shrimping industry got a boost in 1937 when development of permanent fishing villages in offshore jumbo shrimping commenced. By the Basin. Demand for Spanish moss 1940 Morgan City was claiming the title of increased to provide stuffing for furniture Shrimp Capital of the World, and the and (later) automobile seats; bateaux channel through Atchafalaya Bay was re- equipped with towers were constructed to dredged during the winter of 1939-40, gather the moss, which was ginned and largely because of increased traffic from shipped to New Orleans. shrimping activities and local political pressure. 27

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

The internal combustion engine was Lake, straightening levees, and extending invented in 1907, permitting rapid and far- levees between lower Grand Lake and the reaching transportation for fishermen, Gulf of Mexico. All of these measures trappers, and independent loggers. Bateaux resulted in making the Atchafalaya a were fitted with inboard engines, known as floodway, but also led to ever increasing “putt-putts” by the locals. Larger fish-boats diversion of the Mississippi. Many residents transported catfish, buffalofish, and attempted to return to their former ways of gaspergou, turtles, alligator skins, and furs to life, but the Great Depression that began in the local railheads. By 1912, open power 1929 hindered redevelopment. Residents boats were used to take children to school who remained in the area returned to their on a regular basis, dramatically increasing former multi-resource based subsistence the educational level of the Basin’s practices. Henderson in St. Martin Parish population. Although floods periodically was established and gradually became a local affected the settlements during the early center for the fishing industry. 20th century, the area’s population recovered after each one. Post Depression Development

Residents raised livestock and farm staples During the Great Depression, crawfish were such as corn, potatoes, beans, cabbage, and eaten occasionally, but they did not become fruit. Prohibition encouraged moonshiners a commercial product until the 1940s. in the Basin, where “white lightning” was Although plentiful during the 1920s and sold openly in local stores. Cajun culture 1930s, they were considered a subsistence flourished in the Basin’s settlements. Fais- food to be eaten when better food was do-dos (dances), music supplemented by the unavailable. Construction of the great guide German-derived accordion, traiteurs (Cajun levees had the effect of draining the lands traditional faith healers who combined outside of the levee system for farmland Catholic prayer and medicinal remedies), while increasing the water levels inside the and other Cajun folk customs became Atchafalaya Basin. These conditions common place. produced a favorable habitat for crawfish species and resulted in the emergence of the Atchafalaya Basin residents were evacuated crawfish industry during the 1940s and during the great flood of 1927—the worst 1950s. flood in the recorded history of the Lower Mississippi Valley—as water levels rose to While crawfish have been eaten in Louisiana seven feet above the tops of the Atchafalaya since before the arrival of the Europeans, the River’s natural levees. People living on successful “mudbug” industry in the houseboats remained in the area, but Atchafalaya Basin did not take off until the virtually the entire Atchafalaya Basin and its 1950s. As crawfish could be shipped to the nearby communities and rural areas were cities in large volumes where the Cajuns covered by flood waters. As a result, the adopted them as a symbol of their plucky Flood Control Act of 1928 transformed the determination and adaptability, towns such Atchafalaya Basin to a “spillway” and as Henderson became centers for the Atchafalaya Basin Guide Levee construction commercial shipment of increasingly larger began the following year; this construction volumes of crawfish to the new consumers, amounted to building large earthen principally restaurant owners. High water in embankments that would “guide” the river the Atchafalaya promoted large crops of south toward the Gulf of Mexico and crawfish, while low water depressed yields. simultaneously prevent the river from To improve the unpredictability of nature, flooding. Measures were undertaken to commercial crawfish farming was make the Atchafalaya River a better introduced in the Basin, extending the floodway including dredging a single period during which crawfish were available channel through the delta above Grand in commercial amounts. In 1982, St. Martin 28 Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin

Parish contained some 20,000 acres of economic and employment opportunities in commercial crawfish ponds. While free trade these growing urban areas resulting from the and the introduction of imported Chinese petroleum industry. crawfish exerted a negative impact on the industry’s development in subsequent years, The Modern Era by 2008, crawfishermen harvested 14 million pounds of crawfish, making this the most Large numbers of Vietnamese began arriving profitable industry in the basin. in the Atchafalaya area during the 1970s. Laotians also arrived and settled on New In 1950, Congress directed the U.S. Army Iberia. Both groups quickly took over the Corps of Engineers to construct a control seafood-processing industry from the native structure at the head of Old River to Cajuns in Pierre Part, Henderson, and maintain the distribution of flow and Morgan City. Many prospered, soon owning sediment in the Mississippi and Atchafalaya more property than most of their Cajun rivers. In 1963, the Old River Control neighbors and becoming well educated. Structure began regulating water flow from the Mississippi and Red rivers into the In 1970, the first Atchafalaya Basin Atchafalaya River. Ten years later, a Commission was established. During the catastrophic failure of the control structure remainder of the decade boat ramps were during the height of a spring flood nearly built, recreational facilities were planned, resulted in the Atchafalaya River claiming and the state began purchasing land for state over 70% of the Mississippi River flow, parks. In 1973, the Interstate 10 elevated which would have changed the course of the expressway over the Basin was completed, Mississippi River once again. Due to the improving the area’s transportation and damage, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers enhancing the area’s access for tourists and (Corps of Engineers or USACE) built a new recreational enthusiasts. Congress enacted auxiliary structure designed to relieve some the Multipurpose Plan in 1985, authorizing of the stress during high water. Today the the Corps of Engineers to spend $250 Old River Control Structure directs 30% of million, subject to future appropriations, to Mississippi River flow into the Atchafalaya preserve and restore the basin’s ecosystem. River. In 1996, in response to an expanded focus Oil exploration in the Atchafalaya Basin on the ecology of the Atchafalaya Basin, the interior was underway by 1928, and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Herton Oil Company completed an oil well (LDNR), was named lead state agency in the in the Jeanerette area of Iberia Parish in development of a plan to protect and 1935. By 1940, widespread seismographic develop the Atchafalaya Basin as directed by and drilling activities were conducted Congress, in conjunction with the U.S. Army throughout the Basin and in the coastal Corps of Engineers (USACE). The Louisiana marsh south of the Teche Ridge. Offshore Legislature created the Atchafalaya Basin drilling was initiated with the first producing Program and its advisory Research and offshore well in 1947. During the 1940s and Promotion Board in 1998. The State Master 1950s, the oil-drilling industry made rapid Plan for the Atchafalaya Basin was advances, and oil-related industries soon completed that same year and approved became the dominant economic activity in unanimously by the legislature in 1999. The the lower Atchafalaya Basin and adjacent 1999 Louisiana Legislature empowered the offshore areas. Wealth generated by this new Atchafalaya Basin Program to act on behalf industry resulted in the urban growth of of the state to implement and manage a cities such as Lafayette, Morgan City, and comprehensive state master plan for the Baton Rouge. Many Cajuns who lived in and Atchafalaya Basin. To that end, the program around the Basin area were attracted to staff regularly meets with USACE 29

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND representatives regarding activities and As the Atchafalaya River has become a major projects in the Basin. During 2000, the floodway for the Mississippi River, Louisiana state legislature approved the sediments have gradually covered the old Master Plan for the Atchafalaya Basin surfaces, raising the level of the ground as Program and $85 million, subject to future much as 12 feet near the major waterways. appropriations over 15 years, for access, Historic settlements, graveyards, logging easements, water management, and canals, farms, and forests have been recreation projects. In 2004, the Atchafalaya inundated with alluvium, transforming the Welcome Center in Butte La Rose was land surfaces and blotting out evidence of opened. Over the years, the Atchafalaya former ways of life. Long-time basin Basin Program has also entered into residents currently reside in Bayou Sorrel, agreements with the USACE, Basin parishes, Plaquemine, St. Martinville, Breaux Bridge, area towns and cities, the Atchafalaya Basin and New Iberia, or further away. Although Levee District, and several state agencies many continue to enter the basin for fishing, involved in the Basin Program to advance hunting, and gathering, many of the historic conservation, restoration, recreation, and ways of life are threatened by changes in enhancement projects. water levels, water flow, and water quality within the basin and elsewhere in the region. In 2008, the Louisiana state legislature Further, while crawfish, alligators, turtles, established the Atchafalaya Basin and bullfrogs are commercially and Conservation Fund. It also authorized the recreationally harvested along the Secretary of the Department of Natural Atchafalaya River, and crabbing and Resources, through the Atchafalaya Basin trapping remain integral parts of the Basin Program, to submit to the legislature each culture and economy, there is growth in year an Annual Plan for the Basin that would recreational and tourist-related pursuits include water management and access such as hunting, boating, canoeing, bird- projects, such as boat launches, and other watching, nature study, sightseeing, hiking, projects consistent with the mission and camping. statement of the Atchafalaya Basin Master Plan.

30 Overview of the Region, Peoples, and History of the Atchafalaya Basin

Figure 2. Map of Atchafalaya Basin

Source: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

31

FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

The Atchafalaya Trace Commission has The purpose of the Atchafalaya National developed the following guidance for the Heritage Area is to establish and maintain management plan and future interpretive sites; increase public implementation of the plan. awareness of and appreciation for the natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational resources of the area; and VISION implement programs that recognize the important resource values of the national The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is a heritage area. model of authenticity in heritage development and ecotourism, a truly Significance Statements fascinating and “foreign” place here in the middle of the U.S. culture. The area manages Significance statements build on the national to be authentic and real, while offering heritage area’s purpose and clearly state outstanding amenities for residents and why, within a national context, the national visitors who seek a relaxed but active break heritage area’s resources and values are from the everyday. important enough to warrant the area’s designation as a national heritage area. These statements identify the resources and MISSION values that are central to managing the area and express the importance of the area to The mission of the Atchafalaya National our nation’s natural and cultural heritage. Heritage Area is to build understanding and identity, raising local, regional, and national Following are the significance statements for awareness of the Atchafalaya region; to the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. strengthen the fabric of the place; to expand economic opportunities and to increase the The Atchafalaya Basin is significant because community collaboration and involvement • It is the largest example of an alluvial within the parishes that constitute the bottomland and swamp in the United heritage area while supporting a healthier States, and provides outstanding habitat Atchafalaya ecosystem and enhancing for 24 federal- and state-listed natural resource-based recreation threatened or endangered species, or opportunities. species of concern including Louisiana

Black Bear, brown pelicans and bald

eagles. PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE • It possesses exceptional value in Purpose Statement illustrating and interpreting many of the The purpose statement clarifies the reasons natural themes of our nation’s heritage, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area was including river systems and lakes, recent established as part of the national heritage geologic history (i.e., the processes of area system and provides the foundation for alluviation and deltaic land building), the management of the area. Such statements bottomland and swamp components of are based on a heritage area’s establishing the eastern deciduous forest, aquatic legislation and legislative history, other ecosystems, and streams. special designations, and NPS policies.

32

Foundation for Planning and Management

• It possesses exceptional value in also directed to implement this plan in part illustrating certain cultural themes, by providing assistance to units of particularly water control technology government, by carrying out programs that and unique, ongoing American ways of recognize important resource values within life. the heritage area, by encouraging sustainable economic development within the heritage • It offers a rare opportunity for scientific area, by establishing and maintaining study of active delta building processes, interpretive sites within the heritage area, and provides a significant opportunity and by increasing public awareness of, and to study disturbance regimes, primary appreciation for the natural, historic, and succession, population-level ecological cultural resources of the heritage area. processes, and southeastern

bottomland species. To accomplish these Congressional • The quality of recreational requirements, the Commission operates opportunities provided by the Basin under bylaws that govern the conduct of the indicates the Atchafalaya has the commission. The Atchafalaya National potential to become a nationally Heritage Area receives limited federal significant recreational resource. dollars that must be matched by other sources. The federal share of the total cost of any activity of the Commission cannot LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS exceed 50% unless the Secretary of the Interior determines that there is no other Designated in Public Law No. 109-338, reasonable means to fund the activity. October 12, 2006, the Atchafalaya Trace Federal funds distributed to the Commission Commission is the local coordinating entity are strictly accounted for. For any year in for the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. which federal funds are received, the The Commission was created by State Commission must submit a report to the legislation (CH 26 SEC 1222) in 1997 and is Secretary of the Interior describing the composed of 14 members each serving expenses and income of the Commission for three-year terms; they are appointed by the that year. The Commission is not allowed to governing authority of each parish within use federal funds to acquire real property or the heritage area; commissioners may be an interest in real property and must reappointed. conduct public meetings at least quarterly.

According to the designating legislation, the Per the legislation, authority of the Secretary Commission may make grants to, and enter to provide assistance to the local into cooperative agreements with the state, coordinating entity terminates 15 years after units of local government, and private the enactment of the Act, which has been organizations; hire and compensate staff; interpreted to be the date of funding in and enter into contracts for goods and August 2008. Assistance can continue services. The legislation also required the through August 2023. Commission to “develop a management plan for the Heritage Area that incorporates an “Table 1: Legislative Requirements for the integrated and cooperative approach to Management Plan” summarizes the protect, interpret, and enhance the natural, requirements for the national heritage area scenic, cultural, historic, and recreational plan and how this document meets those resources of the Heritage Area” and “take requirements. into consideration other state and local plans and invite the participation of residents, public agencies, and private organizations in the Heritage Area.” The Commission was 33

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

Table 1. Legislative Requirements for the Management Plan

Requirement How the Requirement is Addressed Develop a management plan that incorporates an This document provides the framework to protect, integrated and cooperative approach to protect, interpret and enhance the area resources. The interpret, and enhance the natural, scenic, cultural, Commission will take a lead role on interpretation historic, and recreational resources of the heritage and education. Many of the actions and projects area will be implemented cooperatively through partners Take into consideration other state and local plans Reviewed and incorporated state and local plans (see relationship to other plans) and actively worked with state agencies and other partners on developing alternatives and actions (see “Chapter 5: Management Alternatives” in volume two). Invite the participation of residents, public agencies, Three newsletters were sent to about 2700 and private organizations in the heritage area individuals, public agencies and organizations. Multiple public meetings were held during scoping, and after alternatives, and comments were accepted and incorporated into the plan (see “Chapter 8: Consultation and Coordination” in volume two). The Commission was also directed to implement Providing assistance to units of government: this plan in part by providing assistance to units of government, by carrying out programs that Recognize values of resources: Many efforts, recognize important resource values within the including 1) Collaboration with Friends of the heritage area, by encouraging sustainable economic Atchafalaya on education and outreach during development within the heritage area, by Experience Atchafalaya Days – a month long establishing and maintaining interpretive sites celebration of the resources of the NHA. 2) within the heritage area, and by increasing public development of a DVD highlighting the cultural, awareness of, and appreciation for the natural, historic and recreational resources of the NHA historic, and cultural resources of the heritage area. Sustainable economic development: Developed income tax credit program with the state for local, cultural businesses. Continue to promote other tax credit programs and collaborate with Tourism Department on media outreach highlighting the heritage area including local businesses and artisans.

Establishing and maintaining interpretive sites: Developed traveling exhibit, “Voices of the Atchafalaya,” displayed at various locations across the national heritage area. Action plan includes • Increasing public awareness of, and appreciation for the natural, historic, and cultural resources of the heritage area • Collaboration with Friends of the Atchafalaya on education and outreach during Experience Atchafalaya Days • See further details in the Implementation Plan

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Foundation for Planning and Management

Requirement How the Requirement is Addressed Complete a cultural landscape assessment This assessment has been completed and incorporated into the management plan. The assessment is available at the NHA office. Inventory of Resources Inventory completed with association to the Interpretive themes (i.e. relates to the heritage area), cultural resources protection priorities still needs to be developed in collaboration with the state historic preservation office. Threats to resources beyond cultural landscapes have not yet identified. Develop an Implementation Plan An implementation plan has been developed; it is organized by the heritage area goals and includes phased strategies and actions. Develop an Interpretation Plan An interpretation plan has been developed, which includes analysis of resources and strategies for sharing themes with various audiences. Actions are incorporated under the implementation plan.

GOALS OF THE ATCHAFALAYA culture and resources. Properly done, NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA interpretive programs can also enhance the appeal of the region to discerning visitors. The goals of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area build on the goals developed Goal 2: Support Sustainable Cultural for the state heritage area. The Commission Economic Development Opportunities in reviewed the goals and reflected on the the Heritage Area. public comments from the initial public For centuries, people found many ways to scoping effort in 2008. Based on the strong earn a living from the Atchafalaya region. public comments that addressed the The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area was environment, natural resources, and established in part to stimulate investment recreation, goals for the national heritage while protecting the region’s sensitive lands area were revised. and other cultural and natural resources. Achieving this balancing act will diversify the Goal 1: Enhance interpretation and economy and create jobs, while also awareness of the heritage area’s key improving the experience of being in the stories. heritage area as a resident, an employer, or a If the factors that make the Atchafalaya visitor. region unique and beloved by its residents are to last in the face of change, there is a Goal 3: Increase appreciation for cultural need to enhance the strong regional identity resources. and to cultivate a heightened appreciation of There are distinct physical elements that the authentic. Interpretation— define the Atchafalaya region. The cultural communicating truthful information about landscape here is unique and involves the people and places in an interesting and interplay between natural resources and the engaging manner—helps residents and effects of centuries of habitation by those visitors alike gain an understanding of the who have carved livings out of the swamp importance of the Atchafalaya area and its and those who tried to control nature. 35

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

Efforts would be focused on understanding interacting and changing. Change in the and protecting these unique resources. More Atchafalaya area occurs on many levels and recognition and protection is needed for the in multiple dimensions, yet even a subtle and important vernacular townscapes and astute description of this vibrant process buildings that give the region its strong sense runs the risk of freezing or distorting it. of time and place. Also, efforts that highlight cultural traditions, language and skills are an With nature as an initial point of departure, important part of this goal. the story then takes into account the region’s rivers and bayous, its landmasses and Goal 4: Increase appreciation for natural wetlands, and also its climate. Each resources. waterway has its own story. Each affects the Just as aspects of culture and the built other and each, to greater or lesser degree, environment are important to the heritage impacts the entire area. area, the natural environment is also a critical resource—inextricably linked to the The story of the land in the region is large- region’s economy, culture, history, and scaled, complex, and interrelated. traditions. Preserving and restoring the Woodlands, floodplains, natural levees, natural environment is a foundation for swamps, marshes, deltas, sediment, mineral economic vitality, recreation opportunities, deposits, and farmland are notable parts. and tourism development. Natural resource Each land component is one piece of an extraction and natural resource preservation intricate puzzle that constantly shifts, need to be balanced appropriately. Further, changes, and influences the whole. The the wild and “foreign” landscape of the subtropical climate has a defining impact on Atchafalaya Basin provides a distinctive the region. Wildlife, habitats, plant life, recreational experience. Protection, flyways and migratory patterns, mating and enhancement, and improved access to breeding cycles, food chains and predation, existing active and passive recreational diseases, health, and life expectancy are opportunities can enhance the broader other aspects of the natural environment and appreciation of the Atchafalaya ecosystem, each can be viewed in light of the processes culture, and history. of change and ongoing interaction within the heritage area.

INTERPRETIVE THEMES The natural environment, complex and enormous in its own right, is only one Interpretive themes are ideas, concepts, or dimension, and it does not exist apart from stories that are central to the heritage area’s human society and culture. Various people purpose, significance, identity, and visitor have settled in the area over the centuries: experience. Primary themes provide the Chitimacha, Houma, Attakapas, Tunica- framework for interpretation and Biloxi, and Opelousas were followed by educational programs, influence the visitor Spaniards, French, Acadians, Africans, Scots, experience, and provide direction for “Les Americains,” Germans, Haitians, Irish, planners and designers of exhibits, Italians, Lebanese, Filipinos, and publications, and audiovisual programs. Vietnamese, to name but a few. Each group Themes are the stories visitors should know was itself transformed. The result is when they leave an area. creolization.

The overarching interpretive theme of the This over-arching theme of people and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is the nature, establishes a broad framework. It is entwined relationship between people and both suggestive and inclusive. It also has the natural environment:. It highlights the specific and particular meanings to the many ways in which residents of the region Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. The and the natural environment are always theme provides a panorama in which 36 Foundation for Planning and Management residents and diverse institutions can locate lifeways today. Cajun music, originating themselves and find a role. Visitors can gain from Nova Scotia dance music using a fiddle a better understanding of this area as well as or twin fiddles, uses the accordion (German their own experiences by exploring the ways and Italian influence) and fiddle to play two- in which this far-reaching theme unfolds in steps and waltzes. Zydeco musicians south-central Louisiana. substitute a washboard (frottoir) for the fiddle, a practice with African and Caribbean The following primary interpretive themes origins, and produce pieces for livelier have been developed for the Atchafalaya dancing. Creoles, some of whom were Free National Heritage Area. The themes People of Color, influenced plantation life, identified in the state plan have been slavery, secession, the Civil War, and modified and, based on public comment, reconstruction in ways different from that emphasis was added to landforms, experienced in other regions of the South. waterways, natural history and recreation. These themes are further explored in Coexisting, multiple ethnicities influenced “Chapter 4: Interpretation Plan.” architecture, religious traditions, storytelling, and foodways, and the Cajun Theme 1 - Adaptation and Survival and Creole French languages were preserved and passed down through generations. The early settlers acquired living skills unique to the environment. Theme 3 - Influence of the Water on

The first settlers encountered challenges of The Land and The People isolation and survival as they settled into a Water is the distinctive influence on life in this very different environment from which they area: through the ages it has created ever- came. They turned to the Native Americans changing landscapes, contributed to subtle and to acquire the living skills required to survive catastrophic natural events, and has been in this new area such as using a boat subjected to a long history of human (pirogue) as a primary transportation mode. manipulation; this relationship continues to Because the early settlers were isolated, most evolve today through increased recreation and of their food came from their immediate conservation efforts. surroundings and they lived off the land. Due to the region’s close proximity to the Theme 2 - Identity Through a Gulf of Mexico, the environment is dynamic Cultural Blend and reflects influences from floods, hurricanes, Delta formation, changing The region’s identity evolved from a blend of natural levees, and the shifting course of many cultures. rivers. Adaptation on the part of the people to ensure survival was crucial. Flood control Through sharing skills for survival, the was necessary and eventually became cultures of the French, Spanish, Acadians nationally significant. America’s largest and African-Americans (and smaller swamp and ecosystem remained intact but numbers of Caribbean peoples, Germans, settlement patterns began to shift away from Italians, and Czechs) began to merge the swamp. These conditions prompted peacefully, creating a cultural blend evident consideration of the abundance of oil, gas, today. Skills and crafts have long been tied to and timber as a means of support in addition available resources such as alligators and to traditional subsistence activities; the cypress lumber. Survival solutions present in extraction of these natural resources soon early lifestyles such as crawfish netting, boat became a major revenue source for many building, and decoy carving continue to families. manifest themselves in traditions and 37

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

Ongoing subsistence activities and a long- preserve and interpret these term relationship with the swamp have led to outstanding resources a growing respect for conservation of the • The people within the heritage area natural resources. In addition, recognition of the role delta building plays in the protection • The visitor and recreational of land and livelihoods has also supported a opportunities—emphasis was placed on growing environmental movement. Today, the love of and lifelong experiences there is also a growing appreciation of the associated with fishing, crawfishing, special outdoor recreational opportunities hunting, boating, canoeing, kayaking, that exist on the land and waterways of the and camping in the Atchafalaya Basin. heritage area. Bird and wildlife watching; • The close proximity and ease of access swamp and river tours; paddling, hiking, and to the resources and recreational camping; as well as traditional hunting and opportunities fishing can be enjoyed year-round due to the • mild climate. Natural quiet and opportunities for solitude

RECOMMENDED BOUNDARY Respondents were concerned about the ADJUSTMENTS following • The amount of trash and litter found No boundary adjustments are allowed, per within the heritage area the enabling legislation (public Law 109-338) • The lack of maintenance and upkeep • The lack of public and local residents’ PLANNING ISSUES AND CONCERNS understanding of the importance of the unique cultural and natural resources The official public scoping comment period within the heritage area; the need for for the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area generating an increase in ancestral and Management Plan opened on June 13, 2008, cultural awareness in local citizens as and closed on August 31, 2008. During the well as educating local residents of the official comment period, 182 pieces of benefits of preserving their natural and correspondence were received, which cultural resources included comments recorded at the eight public meetings. These pieces of • Diminished water quality, increased correspondences yielded a total of 1,106 siltation and the general loss of natural total comments. A summary of what resources respondents valued about the heritage area, • The level of development and what they were concerned about, and what commercialization of the heritage area they would like to see addressed in this plan • follows. Future funding for the heritage area • The ability to maintain public access Respondents valued the following and a variety of recreational • The natural resources or setting which opportunities includes the flora, wildlife, views, natural quiet, and undeveloped areas in Respondents identified the following and around the heritage area issues and concerns that the management • The history and the unique cultural plan should address resources found in the heritage area, • Protection, preservation, and such as the various languages, food, conservation of the heritage area’s music, stories, and architecture; natural resources and biodiversity respondents acknowledged the need to

38 Foundation for Planning and Management

• Protection of the remaining cypress laws and policies. This section summarizes trees, restoration of the natural the key laws, policies, and authorities waterways and water quality, removal of governing management of and planning for invasive species and preservation of the the heritage area. native plant and animal species The National Environmental Policy Act of • Protection and interpretation of the 1969 (NEPA) (P.L.91-190, 42 USC §4321 et heritage area’s unique cultural resources seq.) establishes “a national policy which • Development of more hiking, biking, will encourage productive and enjoyable and walking trail connections to harmony between man and his increase the diversity of recreation and environment.” This act requires all access opportunities government agencies to develop procedures • Development of new or different that ensure open and honest documentation opportunities for camping, including on of existing resources and potential effects to the ground and floating these resources as a result of the proposed action. The act fosters public involvement as • Improvement and installation of more a key element of the decision-making boat ramps, parking areas, restrooms, process. Compliance procedures are museums, and visitor centers described in NPS Director’s Order 12: • Development of more interpretive and Conservation Planning, Environmental educational programs about the Impact Analysis, and Decision Making and heritage area’s history, and cultural and the accompanying reference manual. See natural resources also the next section on this plan’s • The need to increase funding for compliance with NEPA. heritage area management but not over- develop or over-commercialize the The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 heritage area USC 1531-1543) requires federal agencies to ensure that management activities • The need to establish a long-term authorized, funded, or carried out by the strategy for heritage area partnerships agency do not jeopardize the continued and stewardship opportunities existence of listed endangered or threatened • Improvement in coordination with species, or result in the destruction or adjacent landowners, local adverse modification of habitat that is communities, and area agencies to fully critical to the conservation of the species. protect the area’s resources The National Historic Preservation Act of • The need to reach out to local residents 1966 (NHPA), as amended (16 USC 470). to raise awareness and understanding of Passage of the National Historic this place and to connect them to the Preservation Act established a heritage area comprehensive program to preserve the historical and cultural foundations of the nation as a living part of community life. APPLICABLE LAWS, POLICIES, AND Section 110 of the act delineates broad REGULATIONS historic preservation responsibilities for federal agencies, such as the National Park Several federal laws guide the management Service, to ensure that historic preservation and planning for the Atchafalaya National is fully integrated into all of their ongoing Heritage Area. These laws and policies form programs. Section 106 of the act requires the foundation for this heritage area federal agencies to take into account the management plan. Management of the effects of their undertakings on historic heritage area must be consistent with these properties that are either listed in or eligible 39

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND to be listed in the National Register of pollutants into the waters of the United Historic Places. The national register States and regulating quality standards for includes districts, sites, buildings, structures, surface. and objects important for their significance in American history, architecture, Executive Order 11988 (“Floodplain archeology, engineering, and culture. The Management”) requires federal agencies to goal of the Section 106 review process is to avoid to the extent possible the long and seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any short-term adverse impacts associated with adverse effects to historic properties that are the occupancy and modification of flood listed in or eligible for listing in the national plains and to avoid direct and indirect register. support of floodplain development wherever there is a practicable alternative. In NPS Management Policies 2006 (1.3.4) accomplishing this objective, “each agency supports the management of heritage area shall provide leadership and shall take action resources for conservation, recreation, to reduce the risk of flood loss, to minimize education, and continued use through the impact of floods on human safety, health, partnerships among public and private and welfare, and to restore and preserve the entities at the local or regional level. This natural and beneficial values served by flood recognizes an area’s importance to the plains in carrying out its responsibilities” for nation without requiring or implying the following actions: management by the National Park Service. • acquiring, managing, and disposing of federal lands and facilities; Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 • providing federally-undertaken, established a national policy to preserve, financed, or assisted construction and protect, develop, and where possible, restore improvements; and enhance the resources of the nation’s coastal zone; and to encourage and assist the • conducting federal activities and states to exercise effectively their programs affecting land use, including responsibilities in the coastal zone. These but not limited to water and related land responsibilities are to be exercised through resources planning, regulation, and the development and implementation of licensing activities. management programs to achieve wise use of the land and water resources of the Executive Order 11990 (“Protection of coastal zone, giving full consideration to Wetlands”) serves to “minimize the ecological, cultural, historic, and esthetic destruction, loss or degradation of wetlands values as well as the needs for compatible and to preserve and enhance the natural and economic development. The act requires beneficial values of wetlands.” To meet these federal agency activities (i.e., “direct” agency objectives, the order requires federal activities) to be fully consistent with a state’s agencies, in planning their actions, to approved coastal management program, consider alternatives to wetland sites and unless full consistency is prohibited by limit potential damage if an activity affecting federal law. a wetland cannot be avoided. The order applies to Clean Air Act of 1963 gives federal land • Acquisition, management, and managers the responsibility for protecting disposition of Federal lands and air quality and related resources, including facilities construction and improvement visibility, plants, animals, soils, water quality, projects which are undertaken, cultural resources, and public health, from financed or assisted by federal agencies; adverse air pollution impacts. • Federal activities and programs Clean Water Act of 1972 establishes the affecting land use, including but not basic structure for regulating discharges of limited to water and related land 40 Foundation for Planning and Management

resources planning, regulation, and protection of nearly all species of birds, their licensing activities. eggs, and nests. The treaties are between the United States and Great Britain (1916), Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 Mexico (1936), Japan (1972), and the Soviet established federal responsibilities for the Union (1976).

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CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

42 Chapter 2 Preferred Management Focus

Upper Grand River Flats

Left: Upper Grand River Flats Photo Credits: Charlie Fryling

Back of divider

44

DESCRIPTION

The preferred management focus (also music tour, bicycling on trails along bayous, referred to as the “preferred alternative”) for or visiting historic plantations. the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is “Heritage Connection – Nature, Culture, The native people of the area, as well as the History and Recreation.” This focus various groups of migrants to the area, have highlights the nationally and regionally used the area’s unique natural resources, significant natural, scenic, cultural, historic, including the nation’s largest river swamp, and recreation resources of the Atchafalaya hardwood forests, coastal wetlands, cypress- National Heritage Area. This focus on the tupelo swamps, and freshwater bayous. area’s heritage connection, including the These resources have, in turn, greatly natural features of the area and its diverse impacted the blend of cultures that has culture and lifeways, highlights how the evolved over time. history of the area and its cultural traditions are inextricably linked to the area’s natural Examples of the interrelationship between resources—one cannot be explained without people and land are everywhere. The the other. region’s famous food, such as crawfish, come from its rivers and bayous. The As noted in more detail in volume two, preferred alternative would highlight how public comments received during the land-based agriculture and water-based development of this plan reflected the need aquaculture developed from the river and for a blending of two of the original the river’s historical floodplain, and how the alternatives: “Alternative B: Focus on managed levee system of today continues to Natural Resources and Recreation” and provide flood protection and a reliable water “Alternative C: Focus on History and source, which allows for productive Current Cultures,” with a slightly stronger agriculture. This alternative would provide emphasis on the natural environment and context for the flood control system and associated recreation as identified in how it provides safety for communities that alternative B. This proposed blending, to lie within the historical floodplains. some degree, reflects the current strength of Interpretation would also explain how cultural and historical programs throughout architectural patterns and building materials the heritage area and the desire to expand are also a direct result of the climate and environmental, conservation, and recreation natural resources of the area. programs in the heritage area. Trails and byways along natural ridges and This alternative focuses on providing manmade levees could provide a better information and activities that appeal to understanding of landforms and a better visitors and residents with a broad range of opportunity to explore the area. Rivers and interests. People would find many bayous generally run north-south and opportunities to discover the natural provide additional connections and means environment, to enjoy the outdoors through of travel within the heritage area. recreation, and to explore the culture, traditions, and lifeways of the Atchafalaya Through this alternative, programs and region. Information for visitors and projects would be created with partners to residents would be organized around themes explore the richness of the cultural and and could include options such as taking a natural resources of the region. Residents and visitors would have the opportunity to 45

CHAPTER TWO PREFERRED MANAGEMENT FOCUS learn and explore the area through ways as and visitors would contribute to a sense varied as music festivals, paddle trips, tours of place. of historic landscapes, and opportunities to • Education programs for teachers and participate in preservation and conservation students would focus on the projects. The interplay of the water and land interrelationship of the natural with the varied cultures and traditions of the environment and the history and area would be highlighted to create a strong multiple historic and contemporary sense of place that would support livability cultures of the heritage area. for residents and enjoyment for visitors.

With the preferred management focus of The heritage area managers would partner “The Heritage Connection”; the heritage with state and local governments, agencies, area management would take the lead nonprofits, and others to implement the regarding the following efforts: following elements: • • Existing interpretive and welcome The Atchafalaya River and associated centers would be enhanced to generate trails (both land and water trails) would more interest in the area and to keep serve as a central spine from which people in the heritage area for longer programmatic and physical links would periods of time. The initial focus would be made to adjacent areas and be on improving existing centers at resources. major entry points to the heritage area. • Experiential activities involving regional Interpretive and welcome centers attractions and key resources would be would orient and provide information developed. These activities would be to visitors, emphasizing both indoor both resource-based (e.g., scenic roads, and outdoor experiential opportunities. water trails, music trails) and program- These centers could serve as both based (e.g., educational curriculum, gateways for activities and cultural audio tours), and would be designed to events and trailheads for land and water connect clusters of resources. trails. • Partners with interests, skills, expertise, • Activities, itineraries, and event and resources pertaining to natural and calendars would be developed to create cultural resource topics and activities thematic links to natural and cultural would participate in improving resources and associated built interpretation and education programs attractions and events in the heritage and developing links at a regional scale. area. These programs and products • Coordinated programs would be would be developed to fit within a developed with partners to provide consistent, areawide informational, conservation, restoration, and interpretive, and public relations ecotourism opportunities for visitors framework. and local residents alike. These • Interpretation of natural, cultural and programs could focus on cleanup, water historic resources, recreational quality monitoring, native plant opportunities and heritage area themes restoration, or similar activities. Similar would be enhanced along existing programs would be developed with byways. New byway designations would partners to help preserve and restore be connected proposed where cultural and historic sites and appropriate. landscapes and promote heritage and • Sustaining the unique cultural and cultural tourism. natural landscapes and increasing • Transportation planning for visitors education and awareness for residents would be emphasized—improving land and water connections, and expanding

46 Description alternate transportation choices for exploring the heritage area (i.e., bike, paddling, boating, rail, and bus).

47

POTENTIAL KEY PARTNERS

The heritage area’s broad mission outlined • National Wildlife Federation, Coastal in the enabling legislation invites the Louisiana Program participation of public agencies and private • Environmental Defense Fund, Coastal organizations. The resources are so Louisiana Project numerous and intertwined that projects cannot be successful without working with • The Nature Conservancy, Atchafalaya numerous partners. Some, but not all, of the Program entities with which the Atchafalaya Trace • Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Commission could partner in order to Program implement the Heritage Connection Focus • are listed below. The Commission’s primary Black Bear Conservation Coalition partner is the Department of Culture, • Atchafalaya Basinkeeper Recreation, and Tourism, Office of Tourism. • Sierra Club/Delta Chapter • Louisiana Office of State Parks • Louisiana Wildlife Federation • Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Division of Historic • Crawfishermen Organizations Preservation and Main Street Program • Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana • Louisiana State Museum • Atchafalaya Paddling Trails group • Louisiana State Library • Acadiana Resource Conservation & • Louisiana Endowment for the Development Council, Inc. Humanities • LSU School of Landscape Architecture • Louisiana Byways Program • Alliance of National Heritage Areas • Friends of the Atchafalaya • Louisiana Association of Museums • Louisiana Department of Education • Louisiana Division of the Arts Folklife Program • University of Louisiana, Center for Louisiana Studies • Louisiana Historical Association • Acadian music groups • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Atchafalaya Basin Program • Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department • National Audubon Society, Louisiana Coastal Initiative

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RELATED INTERPRETIVE THEMES

The preferred management focus, “The traditions, culture, and lifeways unique to Heritage Connection,” would include all the Atchafalaya region. three main interpretive themes and associated sub-themes to guide This management focus would place the interpretation and visitor experiences: greatest emphasis on strategies designed to provide visitor information and activities These themes are further explained in tailored to visitors’ interests in particular chapter one and in the interpretation plan topics or activities. This alternative would (chapter four). They would provide a focus increase the emphasis on community for interpretation, education, partnership revitalization and preservation of historic development, and future actions. structures and landscapes, as in alternative C, and would add focus on understanding The focus of “The Heritage Connection” and protecting natural resources and would be on waterways and landforms; increasing outdoor recreation opportunities outdoor recreation; current and past in alternative B. By combining the best of communities, sites, and buildings; and these two alternatives, there is the unique languages, religions, music, and foods. opportunity to interpret and raise awareness Tourism information would be organized by of the inextricable interrelationship between type and topic, focusing on particular areas nature and culture. This alternative also best of outdoor experience, culture, traditions, or meets the vision, mission, purpose and legal history such as food, music, antebellum life, requirements for the heritage area— or cultural festivals. This alternative would enhancing and interpreting the natural, focus education and interpretation on the scenic, cultural, historic, and recreation natural landscapes and ecosystems, history, resources of the heritage area.

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CHAPTER TWO PREFERRED MANAGEMENT FOCUS

50 Chapter 3 Implementation Plan

Upper Grand River Flats

Flat Lake, North of Morgan City Photo Credits: Charlie Fryling

Back of divider

52

INTRODUCTION

While the preferred management concept is would be achieved, including organizational described in “Chapter Two: Preferred structure and sustainability, partnerships, Management Focus,” the Atchafalaya and funding. The heritage area managers National Heritage Area management would monitor and measure their progress direction is flexible and able to adapt to in implementing the strategies and actions changing partners, funding sources, and outlined in the implementation plan and in needs. Thus this implementation plan would meeting the area’s vision, mission, and goals. be applicable to any of the alternative Based on monitoring, heritage area managers management concepts. Through the ideas would adjust annual work plans to reflect presented in this chapter, heritage area and capitalize upon successes, challenges, managers would seek to meet the vision, funding sources, and partners. This cycle of mission, and goals of the heritage area. adapting throughout implementation would ensure that the heritage area continues to The heritage area priorities for the next ten achieve the mission and vision given ever- years are contained here, along with other changing circumstances on the ground. information about how implementation

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CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Figure 3. Goal Implementation Helps Realize Vision

Enhance interpretation and awareness of the heritage area's key stories

VISION The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is a model of authenticity in heritage development and Support sustainable Increase appreciation ecotourism, a truly fascinating and cultural economic “foreign” place here in the middle of for natural resources the U.S. culture. The area manages development to be authentic and real, while opportunities in the offering outstanding amenities for heritage area residents and visitors who seek a relaxed abut active break from the everyday.

Increase appreciation for cultural resources

54

Introduction

Implementation of the management focus understanding that circumstances will and strategies and actions outlined in the change over the life of the plan. The heritage management plan would require area will remain flexible in order to collaboration and cooperation among capitalize on opportunities that may arise myriad partners and members of the public. that are not specifically included here, but This document provides the vision that achieve the goals and advance the mission. agencies, organizations, and businesses can join together to achieve. Only through This chapter includes cooperation and collaboration among 1) A review of the Atchafalaya National people and groups with complimentary or Heritage Area Foundation (Vision, shared goals will this plan be effectively Mission, Purpose and Significance, implemented. The Atchafalaya National Goals, and Interpretive Themes) Heritage Area is a nationally significant area 2) Organizational structure with people, stories, and resources that truly make it America’s Foreign Country. 3) Implementation Procedures, including project selection criteria As the heritage area has been recognized as a and best management practices state entity since 1997, much has already 4) Implementation strategies and been achieved and the initial activities that actions heritage areas typically engage in have been 5) Partners and relationship to other established. The Commission and others plans would build on what has been accomplished 6) Historic and future funding to further achieve heritage and resource preservation. This document serves as the 7) Monitoring progress and amending blueprint for moving forward, yet with the the plan

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I

THE FOUNDATION

The Commission has developed the The purpose of the Atchafalaya National following guidance for the management plan Heritage Area is to establish and maintain and future implementation of the plan. interpretive sites; increase public awareness of and appreciation for the natural, scenic, cultural, historic and VISION recreational resources of the area; and implement programs that recognize the The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is a important resource values of the national model of authenticity in heritage heritage area. development and ecotourism, a truly “ ” fascinating and foreign place here in the Significance Statements middle of the U.S. culture. The area manages to be authentic and real, while offering Significance statements build on the national outstanding amenities for residents and heritage area’s purpose and clearly state visitors who seek a relaxed but active break why, within a national context, the national from the everyday. heritage area’s resources and values are important enough to warrant the area’s designation as a national heritage area. MISSION These statements identify the resources and values that are central to managing the area The mission of the Atchafalaya National and express the importance of the area to Heritage Area is to build understanding and our nation’s natural and cultural heritage. identity, raising local, regional, and national awareness of the Atchafalaya region; to Following are the significance statements for strengthen the fabric of the place; to expand the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. economic opportunities and to increase the community collaboration and involvement The Atchafalaya Basin is significant because within the parishes that constitute the heritage area while supporting a healthier It is the largest example of an alluvial Atchafalaya ecosystem and enhancing bottomland and swamp in the United natural resource-based recreation States, and provides outstanding habitat opportunities. for 24 federal- and state-listed

threatened or endangered species, or

species of concern including Louisiana PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE Black Bear, brown pelicans and bald Purpose Statement eagles. The purpose statement clarifies the reasons It possesses exceptional value in illustrating the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area was and interpreting many of the natural established as part of the national heritage themes of our nation’s heritage, area system and provides the foundation for including river systems and lakes, recent the management of the area. Such statements geologic history (i.e., the processes of are based on a heritage area’s establishing alluviation and deltaic land building), legislation and legislative history, other bottomland and swamp components of special designations, and NPS policies. the eastern deciduous forest, aquatic ecosystems, and streams.

56

The Foundation

It possesses exceptional value in illustrating Interpretive Themes certain cultural themes, particularly water control technology and unique, Three interpretive themes have been ongoing American ways of life. identified. Each theme is connected to a variety of resources that explore them in It offers a rare opportunity for scientific various depths. These themes are: study of active delta building processes, and provides a significant opportunity to Adaptation and Survival: The early settlers study disturbance regimes, primary acquired living skills unique to the succession, population-level ecological environment. processes, and southeastern bottomland species. Identity Through a Cultural Blend: The The quality of recreational opportunities region’s identity evolved from a blend of provided by the Basin indicates the many cultures. Atchafalaya has the potential to become a nationally significant recreational Influence of the Water on the Land and resource. the People: Water is the distinctive influence on life in this area: through the ages it has created ever-changing landscapes, GOALS AND INTERPRETIVE THEMES contributed to subtle and catastrophic natural events, and has been subjected to a Goals long history of human manipulation; this Goal 1: Enhance interpretation and relationship continues to evolve today awareness of the heritage area’s key stories through increased recreation and conservation efforts. Goal 2: Support sustainable cultural economic development opportunities in the heritage area Goal 3: Increase appreciation for cultural resources. Goal 4: Increase appreciation for natural resources.

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I

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY

The heritage area program was established in part for the purpose to “promote partner-driven management strategies…encourage locally tailored resource stewardship and interpretation, and provide for the effective leveraging of federal funds” (National Heritage Areas Partnership Act).

Figure 4. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Organizational Framework

Louisiana Office of Tourism

National Park Service, Atchafalaya

National Heritage Area Trace

Program: provides Commission

technical and limited

financial assistance.

501(c)3 Partner:

Assist Commission

Atchafalaya Trace with fundraising and Atchafalaya Heritage Area project Trace Development Review Commission implementation. Board: administers the Staff: manage pilot tax incentive daily activities program.

ATCHAFALAYA TRACE COMMISSION anticipated that the four officers - chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer- The Atchafalaya Trace Commission was otherwise known as the Executive created by the state legislature as an agency Committee, may need to meet or hold of state government within the Department conference calls on a regular basis. of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The Administrative committees would be federal enabling legislation appointed the established and may be chaired by the Commission as the local coordinating entity officers. These committees may include for the heritage area responsible for fundraising, grant programs, developing and implementing the marketing/outreach, and management plan. implementation/strategy planning.

As the heritage area moves from planning to Committees may include advisory members implementation, the role of the Commission outside the Commission to provide skills will evolve; therefore, a refined and expertise not provided within the organizational structure is needed. It is Commission. Committees would develop 58

Organizational Structure and Stability annual work plans to support the heritage incentive. The Commission provides area implementation plan. The committees direction on the tax incentive program would also make regular reports and which would be evaluated for effectiveness recommendations to the whole in 2012. Commission.

The Commission is reviewing the state LOUISIANA OFFICE OF TOURISM legislation to determine what changes are needed to increase the efficiency of the The Executive Director for the Heritage Commission in this evolving role. These Area and the Atchafalaya Trace Heritage changes may include the ability to meet and Area Development Zone Review Board take action via conference call or allow for (Review Board) are currently housed in the proxy voting where appropriate. Louisiana Office of Tourism (LOT), a division of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. LOT provides the Director’s compensation, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE benefits, travel expenses, office space, The National Park Service provides equipment and supplies, and limited technical assistance and limited funding to administrative staff and marketing support, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. which fulfills the match requirement to the Funding is currently provided to the heritage federal national heritage area funding. State area on an annual basis. Public Law 109-338 and federal funding are distributed at describes the cost sharing requirement for different times of the year, which allows the federal funding as follows. “The Federal heritage area to seamlessly implement the share of the total cost of any activity . . . shall annual work plan for heritage area visitor- be not more than 50 percent unless the related services and products. Secretary determines that no reasonable means are available through which the local The Commission recognizes that the federal coordinating entity can meet its cost sharing national heritage area funding has a limited requirement for that activity.” Therefore, timeframe and that planning for self- the Commission is required to raise sufficiency needs to begin well ahead of matching funds, to include in-kind time. During 2012, the Commission would contributions that match each federal dollar develop a detailed plan to address funding provided. Further, NPS reviews the heritage needs, funding sources, and staffing and area annual work plan and evaluates organizational development. Funding would progress toward achieving the management be required for staff and overhead costs; plan goals. ongoing commission programs, including marketing and outreach; commission directed projects such as signs; and for ATCHAFALAYA TRACE HERITAGE grants to partners for projects and programs. AREA DEVELOPMENT ZONE REVIEW BOARD ATCHAFALAYA TRACE The Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area COMMISSION/ATCHAFALAYA Development Zone Review Board was NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STAFF created by the state legislature as an agency of state government within the Department Staff is needed to manage the daily activities of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. Its and continuity required to implement the purpose is to administer a pilot program that management plan. Staff would provide provides assistance to heritage-based cottage leadership, coordination, and foster industry in the heritage area through a tax partnerships for the heritage area. In

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CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN addition, it is important to network with design, signage design, marketing and heritage areas and National Park Service tourism development, planning and urban affiliates on industry challenges, trends and design, historical and archeological research, best practices. and other specialized skills needed on particular projects and programs. Staffing needs may change over time in relation to work plans, goals, and financial It is important to assess staffing needs and constraints. Core skills needed on a day-to- resources as related to Management Plan day basis would include executive director, goals and projects. A National Park Service volunteer and partner coordination, evaluation process has been instituted that administration, development and would measure whether the goals and fundraising, tourism and marketing, objectives of the approved management plan conservator of natural history, conservator have been achieved. of cultural heritage, education and interpretation, economic and community development, and project management. It is ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT anticipated that staff would fill several roles NEEDS and that the overall staffing levels would reflect program needs and funding To effectively implement this plan, the availability. Some roles or skills may be filled heritage area would continue to enhance its with volunteers or supplemented by other organizational capacity. While specific state agencies. strategies and actions have been outlined in “Table 3: Implementation Matrix,” a number Other skill sets may be required on a less of other efforts would be required to frequent basis, and may be met through continually build the organizational contracts, an advisory board, partners, structure. Known organizational technical or student assistance. Skills needed development needs are outlined in the table less frequently would likely include: graphic 2, below.

Table 2. Organizational Development Needs

Advisory Board The Commission may establish an advisory board to provide guidance on particular projects. An advisory board would fill the need for expert knowledge required on an infrequent basis and would make recommendations to the Commission. The advisory board could meet on an ad hoc basis. Expertise represented on an advisory board could include among others: Interpretation Humanities/History/Folklife Ecology/Wildlife/Biology Education Conservation Tours/Tourism/Eco-tourism Major Industry Preservation Louisiana Museums Association Cultural Diversity Special Populations Fundraising Assistance

60 Organizational Structure and Stability

Nonprofit Organization The Commission anticipates developing a structured relationship with a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization to serve in the capacity of a "Friends"

group. The nonprofit should have a mission complementary to the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area mission. A cooperative agreement between the heritage area Commission and this group would clarify the roles of each organization. Some examples of ways in which the nonprofit might assist the heritage area are fundraising, volunteering, research, and outreach. Evaluation criteria would be developed by the Commission prior to sending out requests for qualifications seeking applicants to serve in such a role.

Fundraising The Commission would establish a fundraising strategic plan. This plan would seek to create the financial foundation to implement the strategies and actions outlined in this plan. It would serve as a critical tool to promote financial self-sufficiency in alignment with National Heritage Area program requirements and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recommendations.

Grant Program The Commission could establish a grant program to distribute funds to worthy projects and programs in support of the heritage area vision and goals. Grants could be established for projects involving preservation and conservation of natural and cultural heritage, interpretation and education, and development and marketing. Projects would be selected based on the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area principles of implementation and project selection criteria, as well as on grant- specific requirements. The grants program would require a matching cash or in-kind (non-cash) contribution. A grant-in-aid program may be established for projects related to conservation of resources threatened by natural disasters, catastrophic events, climate change, development, etc. Grant guidelines would be reviewed and updated by the Commission periodically.

Partnerships The Commission would establish a standardized process to formalize partnerships as soon as possible. A key component would be to outline the recertification process for existing partners.

Public Engagement Strategy The Commission would continue to comply with its legal obligation to conduct public meetings at least quarterly. In addition to these meetings, the Commission would continue to reach out to the public and stakeholders throughout implementation. Potential ways in which this would occur would be through website content updates, informational presentations and products, among others. Anticipated public engagement efforts would be included in the annual work plan based on each year’s annual priorities.

USE OF THE NATIONAL HERITAGE secondary partners would be determined by AREA LOGO the Commission.

The use of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area logo by primary and

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I

IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES

The Commission has identified a framework initiate projects and/or support other for implementing projects to meet the entities in meeting heritage area goals. purpose and vision of the heritage area. This framework is organized around the four These five principles are critical elements of goals. The Commission would filter specific any project the Commission initiates or projects and actions through the following supports. principles for implementation, project selection criteria, and best management 1. Authenticity and Sense of Place practices. The Commission and staff would The alluvial bottomland and swamp habitat, work toward meeting the goals of the built upon by the people who have inhabited heritage area by leading projects identified in the land, has evolved as a distinct place. the annual work plan, promoting the efforts While the place continues to evolve, the of partners, and providing technical Atchafalaya National Heritage Area’s assistance. They could also assist the efforts identity should remain congruent with its of others by distributing funding through a physical characteristics. Priority would be grant program if this program is given to projects that enhance the sense of implemented. Priority would be given to place in the Atchafalaya National Heritage strategies or actions that are specifically Area and/or contribute to protecting the identified in the implementation matrix. In cultural landscapes of the heritage area. A accordance with Commission bylaws, focus on authenticity strengthens implementation principles and project communities for residents and makes lasting criteria would be evaluated and updated as impressions on visitors. appropriate to ensure effective execution of this plan. Actions would primarily be 2. Regional Impact accomplished in collaboration with partners. The beneficial impacts of the projects are felt in more than one localized area. Regional identity is built through the projects. PRINCIPLES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 3. Connections The Commission has identified five Projects should promote connections among overarching principles to guide sites, attractions, and resources within the implementation of the management plan. heritage area. Projects connecting These principles are intended to guide the geographic locations through common Commission and partners in determining the themes, such as, water, food, music, dance, specific projects included in the annual work and language would be given priority. plan and more long-term project planning needs in collaboration with partners. As 4. Collaboration implementation progresses, the Commission It is important that project organizers be would review past successes and challenges able to demonstrate a broad base of support and seek to build on previous accomplish- and collaboration with other entities; ments and efforts by continually identifying including established partners; volunteers; the projects that would be the most effective individuals; federal, state, parish, and local in meeting the heritage area’s vision and governments; and private organizations, goals based on availability of resources and institutions, and businesses. capacity. The Commission may choose to

62

Implementation Procedures

5. Consistency with branding statement 2. Realistically achievable – and vision A project or program would be Projects receiving ANHA support should be considered to be realistically achievable consistent with the foundation of the if it has the following characteristics heritage area, including the brand and the • vision for the heritage area. Already planned, underway, approved and/or in need of additional funds, services, or PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA attention to complete • Proposed by an organization(s) that The following criteria would help the has demonstrated the ability to Commission select projects that best meet implement projects of similar scope the management plan’s vision and goals. The or complexity. criteria would be given equal weight in evaluating potential projects. • Existing ANHA staff or Commission capacity, expertise 1. Consistency with and relevancy to and/or interest in directly plan goals and themes – implementing the project Given limited resources, the • Achievable in a reasonable time Commission needs to focus on actions frame that achieves one or more of the management plan goals and are related

to one or more of the interpretive 3. Funding and local economic impact – themes. The project must demonstrate In order to make the most effective use • Progress toward attaining one or of the Commission’s available funding, more of the heritage area goals the ability of the project, program, or organization to leverage or raise funds • Accurate interpretation of one or from other sources would be taken into more of the themes account. Projects engaging local • A high degree of public support and businesses, individuals or materials community engagement would advance heritage area goals to • support sustainable economic Compliance with federal and state development. Partners that propose law, environmental regulations, and projects should demonstrate regional and local planning and • An available funding stream that preservation guidelines would make a significant • A high degree of quality and contribution to overall funding authenticity in its treatment of needs heritage resources • The ability to leverage in-kind • Embodiment of high standards of contributions, including volunteer planning and design commitments • Plans to utilize services of local • A clear understanding of the individuals and businesses resource significance, integrity, and • existing condition as well as impacts Plans to employ traditional cultural of the project on any historic, skills and local materials cultural, or natural resources affected 4. Visibility – To ensure heritage area funds are used in ways that promote awareness of the heritage area, emphasis would be placed on projects or programs that 63

CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

• Highlight the heritage area as a would include, but not be limited to the valuable partner following: • Demonstrate the ability to inspire • Decisions about projects potentially participation by others impacting natural resources would be • Need heritage area seed money to based on scholarly research and catalyze an important project scientific information, and in consultation with the Louisiana • Provide a key investment for creating Department of Natural Resources, momentum for future projects Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, • Reinforce heritage area awareness by United States Army Corp of Engineers, creating area-wide systems or United States Fish and Wildlife Service, programs and other agencies as appropriate. Specifically, projects would be sited to • Attract sustained public interest, avoid sensitive habitats and minimize local or regional participation disturbance to threatened and endangered species. 5. Critical action – • On an ad-hoc basis, projects or programs The Commission would work with all would be prioritized to respond to appropriate partners to identify key immediate needs that are not identified habitat areas for sensitive species and in the annual work plan or typical determining the level, if any, of access project review cycle. These needs could that should be provided to visitors in result from natural disasters, these areas. Access could range from catastrophic events, or other crisis. permanent and/or seasonal closures, Projects could be supported that depending on the species, habitat type, and forage and breeding patterns, to • Protect or restore threatened providing limited access and low- heritage area resources impact recreational opportunities. A • Create immediate economic collaborative effort would ensure benefits to communities in crisis as proper identification of these areas and a result of such events a more appropriate determination of the level of access for visitors. 6. Equity/Distribution – • The Commission would work with Heritage area involvement in projects or partners to encourage natural resource programs would ensure that resources management that balances preservation are equitably distributed throughout the and conservation needs with sustainable heritage area and to a variety of economic uses. organizations. • Through partnerships, biologically

diverse native communities would be

protected and restored when and where BEST PRACTICES TO BE FOLLOWED appropriate. THROUGHOUT IMPLEMENTATION • Management decisions about cultural Implementation of the strategies and actions resources would be based on scholarly described in this plan would seek to follow research and scientific information and the most current best management practices would be made in consultation with the related to heritage development, resource Louisiana state historic preservation preservation (including climate change), officer and associated ethnic groups, as interpretation, education, and visitor use. appropriate. The historic integrity of Best management practices and techniques properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places would be protected. 64 Implementation Procedures

• The Commission would use • Identify key resources and processes partnerships to encourage university that are at risk from climate change. research, state and local agencies and • Establish baseline resource conditions, organizations to support local efforts in identify thresholds, and monitor for completing archeological surveys, change. especially in areas threatened by development, coastal erosion or other • Assess, plan, and manage resources at man-made or natural threats. multiple scales (i.e., site-specific and across the heritage area. • As the Commission continues to partner with museums, state folklife • Increase reliance on adaptive agencies, university researchers, and management to minimize risks to others involved in ethnography, resources. strategies for preserving ethnographic • Form partnerships with other resource resources and intangible cultural management entities to maintain resources associated with the heritage regional habitat connectivity and area’s folklife, traditional subsistence refugia that allow species dependent on activities, and historic swamp resource park resources to better adapt to exploitation could be developed and changing conditions. implemented. • Use best management practices to • Whenever possible, adaptive use of reduce human-caused stresses (e.g., historic structures would be infrastructure and visitor-related encouraged. The Commission would disturbances) that hinder the ability of work with local historic districts, the species or ecosystems to withstand main streets program, historical climatic events. societies, and the state historic • preservation office to increase Restore key ecosystem features and awareness of historic structures, and processes to increase their resiliency to their value to the community, and to tell climate change. the stories of the heritage area. The Commission would encourage partners Reduce or mitigate greenhouse gas to consult the Louisiana Department of emissions associated with operations at Cultural Preservation when partner and affiliated sites and visitor use. implementing projects affecting historic buildings or in historic districts. • The Commission would encourage IMPLEMENTATION partners to protect cultural landscapes STRATEGIES/ACTIONS AND PHASING and contributing features when In addition to applying the principles and implementing projects getting heritage criteria, implementation would be organized area support. Further, the Commission around the heritage area goals and objectives would encourage university researchers identified in the implementation matrix and other to carry out additional below. Although strategies and actions are inventories to identify cultural organized according to specific time frames, landscapes and resources potentially the heritage area would capitalize on eligible for listing in the National opportunities presented by partners and/or Register of Historic Places. funding. Therefore, exact timing of strategies and actions could vary from the The following practices could assist in time frames included in table 3. mitigating impacts of climate change:

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CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The table is organized around the four goals. time 1) initial actions that would begin by The objectives that support each goal are 2012, 2) mid-range actions (2013-2016), and included along the left hand column and 3) long-term actions (2017-2020). denoted by a roman numeral. Strategies and actions are organized across three periods of

Table 3. Implementation Matrix

Initial Actions Mid Range Actions Long Term Actions Through 2012 2013-2016 2017-2020

Goal 1: Enhance interpretation and awareness of the heritage area’s key stories

I. Provide information A. Continue to provide 1. Provide updated i. Expand interpretive and interpretive information to information and programs with programs welcome centers develop interpretive partners to include Information would be B. Reprint regional programs in state and experiential provided to visitors maps regional welcome learning related to through a variety of C. Develop and print centers and other sites themes means, including informational 2. Evaluate potential sites ii. Establish a network interpretive programs, brochure and work with partners of traveling exhibits and would be utilized highlighting heritage to develop additional iii. Work with partners to reach the greatest area themes traveling and to establish a number of people D. Facilitate distribution permanent exhibits quality exhibit in traveling through and of the “Voices of throughout the NHA each parish within the heritage Atchafalaya” 3. Secure grant funding to iv. Reprint regional area. traveling exhibit develop additional maps

E. Organize and exhibits v. Install waysides promote Atchafalaya 4. Reprint regional maps and/or kiosks per photography exhibit 5. Work with partners to plan F. Develop standards identify locations for vi. Promote and content for waysides and/or kiosks educational educational waysides 6. Provide training to waysides and/or and/or kiosks partners on heritage kiosks through G. Evaluate area themes and website, brochures opportunities and interpretation methods. or other means determine phasing for engaging partner sites and events on interpretation (using resource matrix)

II. Develop thematic A. Develop event 1. Update event i. Update event links to resources calendar(s) that calendar(s) on website calendar(s) on There is a need to create thematic links 2. Create brochures that website enhance to resources and link themes and ii. Update initial interpretation and post on website resources itineraries understanding of this B. Continue to provide 3. Consult with partners iii. Develop music, unique place by link to state tourism about additional food and other linking stories to event calendar itineraries such as itineraries people, places, and C. Research resources cypress story trail, etc. iv. Update and reprint events through and activities to 4. Develop itineraries and brochures that link history. Efforts would 66 Implementation Procedures

Initial Actions Mid Range Actions Long Term Actions Through 2012 2013-2016 2017-2020 focus on methods to develop itineraries activities that illustrate themes and provide visitors and resource themes and resources residents with make available through information that can various media be tracked through 5. Partner to promote time and across the themes heritage area. III. Work with partners A. Continue to develop 1. Evaluate variety and i. Expand to produce and support quality of interpretation interpretation authentic events to signature event at Experience component share the heritage Experience Atchafalaya Days focused on area stories Atchafalaya Days 2. Identify opportunities heritage area The unique resources, and gaps in themes (at least stories, and interpretation and one high quality experiences of this develop strategy to fill interpretive event place would be gaps in each parish) highlighted during an ii. Ensure all themes event(s) that are represented in exemplifies the signature event heritage area and collaboration across parish boundaries.

IV. Provide educational A. Promote field trip 1. Consult with state and i. Work with partners outreach to guide for K-12 that local education to provide online, residents and highlights history, departments about interactive, and/or visitors culture and natural curriculum needs experiential Education is the key resources of the 2. Develop K-12 activities for youth to understanding the heritage area curriculum regarding ii. Develop uniqueness of this B. Maintain and update the heritage area experiential place. A major part of education content culture, history and learning program implementation on website natural resources and with educational would be to ensure C. Promote and include promote within the partners that visitors, prominent speakers state iii. Implement targeted residents, students, as part of Experience 3. Explore opportunities education and and special Atchafalaya Days for using technology – interpretation populations are touch screens in visitor outreach and aware of the diversity centers, etc. opportunities for of resources, people, 4. Work with partners to specific populations places, and stories. reach out and engage (i.e. People with Learning young people disabilities, opportunities would underserved be promoted in both 5. Research and assess ways to develop populations, etc.) formal and informal settings. educational opportunities for special populations (i.e. People with disabilities, underserved populations, etc.)

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Initial Actions Mid Range Actions Long Term Actions Through 2012 2013-2016 2017-2020 V. Develop and A. Provide editorial and 1. Provide editorial and i. Expand branding implement media photography for photography to other outside region and marketing Louisiana Tour Guide media outlets based on targeted strategy to increase B. Maintain and update 2. Work with partners visitor markets awareness of the website (CVB, etc) to expand ii. Continue to NHA’s national C. Implement and marketing within the promote the NHA significance expand branding region through Raising awareness campaign 3. Work with Tourism presentations and within the region first D. Continue to promote bureau and others to other means and then the country the NHA through identify target visitor would require presentations and markets coordinated, strategic other means 4. Continue to promote marketing. Effort the NHA through would be focused on presentations and other both traditional print means media and new digital media.

VI. Develop and A. Develop signage 1. Install gateway, i. Continue implement visible program reassurance and implementing sign presence of B. Define sign community marker program (lower heritage area on standards and signs priority locations) roads and trails locations with DOTD 2. Develop byways ii. Work with partners Visitors and residents strategy to develop new would know when 3. Work with LA Byways byway(s) where they enter and leave program and local appropriate the heritage area and partners to expand know that they are in interpretation along a special place when designated byways traveling within the area.

Goal 2: Support Sustainable Cultural Economic Development Opportunities in the Heritage Area

I. Support A. Continue to promote 1. Support local i. Work with partners entrepreneurship the Atchafalaya independent to develop and that reflects the Development Zone Tax business partnerships promote new region’s culture and Credit Program 2. Work with partners ecotourism and environment. B. Update and reprint the to develop a guide cultural tourism A key to this special tax credit brochure book listing area opportunities, such place is the people C. Promote a variety of artisans and as the Certified that live and work tax credit programs on culturally appropriate Louisiana Product here. Efforts would be NHA website businesses Program made to ensure that 3. Promote existing iii. Provide clearing culturally appropriate ecotourism and house of grants businesses, new and cultural tourism and other funding old, are able to exist opportunities opportunities to and thrive 4. Research grants and support artisans other funding and culturally opportunities to appropriate support culturally businesses 68 Implementation Procedures

Initial Actions Mid Range Actions Long Term Actions Through 2012 2013-2016 2017-2020 appropriate businesses 5. Develop resource workshop series for artisans and small businesses

II. Support efforts to A. Enhance programming 1. Promote events i. Evaluate generate longer at existing visitor through website links seasonality, visitor involvement facilities and other media regional and resident interest B. Recruit heritage-based 2. Promote itineraries distribution and in the area. entrepreneurs for and events through variety of events Efforts would be Experience Atchafalaya website links and ii. Work with partners directed at providing Days and use the event other media to fill gaps in event visitors with as a platform to 3. Research specific distribution and opportunities that showcase the heritage area of tourism type make them want to area supply/demand such iii. Research visitor continue to learn as lodging or expand interests/gap about and explore welcome center analysis America’s foreign visitor survey iv. Evaluate partnering country. to perform overall market study of tourism needs

III. Support partner A. Continue tax credit 1. Support and i. Develop programs efforts to encourage program to sustain promote local offering economic sustainable local businesses policies and efforts opportunities to economic that promote retain youth development sustainable economic ii. Promote existing (adaptive reuse of development (LA regulations buildings, local food Cultural districts, supporting sources, other) Terrebonne wetlands protection and Economic protection, historic sustainable use of development efforts districts, Main Streets resources would be focused on program, “Certified businesses and Product of activities that do not Louisiana”) degrade this area’s history, culture, or resources and promote and enhance quality of life and visitor opportunities.

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Initial Actions Mid Range Actions Long Term Actions Through 2012 2013-2016 2017-2020

Goal 3: Increase appreciation for cultural resources.

I. Support partner A. Provide cultural 1. Work with partners i. Work with partners efforts to identify landscape assessment to address threats to expand research and protect tangible to SHPO and local identified in cultural of the cultural resources (i.e. preservation landscape landscapes in the cultural landscapes, organizations assessment heritage area archaeological B. Highlight NHA Listings 2. Work with partners ii. Identify and resources, historic within heritage area and researchers to prioritize threats to structures, etc.). communities identify and other cultural The evolution of the C. Work with partners to encourage protection landscapes (beyond interplay of tangible continue the of archeological sites the first report in natural and cultural production of a 3. Work with partners the Management resources makes this signature event or to explore Plan) place special. Efforts events that educate opportunities for iii. Expand cultural and would be focused on about the heritage developing additional ethnographic understanding of and area’s history and ancient mounds associations to protection for these culture (i.e. Continue driving and/or archeological sites, unique resources. Experience Atchafalaya paddling trails. cultural landscapes Days) 4. Consult with and historic preservation structures (link advocacy groups on resources to existing programs themes) and funding sources iv. Consult with 5. Provide education on preservation preservation zoning experts on and share best appropriate uses of practices across the available historic heritage area buildings 6. Work with partners v. Create cultural and to promote historic awareness of preservation preservation projects as part of practices through Experience workshops and/or Atchafalaya Days, website, etc. immersion 7. Establish criteria for programs, or other partner sites. signature event (one per region) 8. Develop the Passport to Your National vi. Implement the Parks Program Passport to Your National Parks 9. Provide education Program and interpretation at recreational sites to increase understanding of cultural and historic resources (this could include waysides and/or kiosks

70 Implementation Procedures

Initial Actions Mid Range Actions Long Term Actions Through 2012 2013-2016 2017-2020 II. Support A. Promote festivals on 1. Provide education i. Expand traditional continuation and NHA website through and interpretation at cultural experiences appreciation of links to state and /about traditional (at least one high intangible resources parish websites to cultural activities to quality event in (i.e. cultural encourage increase each parish) traditions (music, continuation of understanding and ii. Create traditional food), skills, and cultural traditions – appreciation of cultural learning language and music, dance, cultural traditions projects as part of knowledge of traditional foods 2. Determine Experience preservation B. Work with partners to appropriate locations Atchafalaya Days or practices) continue the to implement the other signature Cultural traditions in production of a Passport to Your event (one per the Atchafalaya are signature event to National Parks region) diverse and integral to share the heritage Program iii. Implement people’s way of life. area’s cultural 3. Evaluate traditional strategies to fill Efforts would be traditions (i.e. cultural experiences identified gaps in focused on raising Continue Experience at Experience the folklife awareness of these Atchafalaya Days) Atchafalaya Days or database traditions and C. Assess gaps in folklife other signature event iv. Implement providing for their database, which 4. Identify opportunities strategies to continuation. includes ethnographic and gaps in transfer cultural research and cultural traditional cultural knowledge and traditions experiences and skills to the next develop strategy to generation fill gaps 5. Develop strategies for filling identified gaps in the folklife database

Goal 4: Increase appreciation for natural resources.

I. Support partner A. Continue providing 1. Work with partners i. Implement efforts to identify information on public to provide education experiential and protect natural lands and natural about threats to learning resources (including resources on website natural resources opportunities water quality, 2. Work with partners and/or immersion water flow, and researchers to experiences, such wetlands, wildlife, identify and as a citizen science vegetation) encourage protection program The interplay of of threatened tangible natural and resources/species cultural resources makes this place special. Efforts would be focused on understanding and protection of these unique resources.

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Initial Actions Mid Range Actions Long Term Actions Through 2012 2013-2016 2017-2020 II. Partner to provide A. Continue providing 1. Promote existing i. With partners, outdoor recreation information on birding and paddling develop new and experiences that outdoor recreation opportunities enhance existing increase locations and events 2. Promote existing birding appreciation of the on website recreational opportunities natural resources B. Identify existing opportunities and throughout the and knowledge of recreation perform gap analysis area conservation opportunities and for additional ii. With Partners, practices perform gap analysis recreational activities develop new and Opportunities to for birding and (beyond birding and enhance existing experience this place paddling (for example) paddling) recreational (biking, abound. 3. Provide education boardwalks, etc) Understanding of this and interpretation at opportunities place is enhanced by recreational sites to throughout the traveling through it; it increase area is a place that must be understanding of iii. Continue to seen, felt, smelled, natural resources and identify and tasted and heard. processes enhance links Efforts would be 4. Work with partners between natural focused on enhancing to identify and resources and existing recreational enhance links traditional opportunities and between natural recreational developing new ones. resources and opportunities traditional recreational opportunities

III. Support A. Identify existing trails, 1. Develop heritage i. Partner to increase improvement of paddle trails, fishing area priorities for recreational access infrastructure and access and recreation recreational access to natural resources services to enhance opportunities and and services and ii. Coordinate similar recreational access perform gap analysis identify partners and outdoor activities to natural resource B. Partner with RTCA and funding sources and access across Recreational others on Bayou Teche 2. Provide consistent the 14 parishes to opportunities are Trail message on reach out to niche enhanced through recreation access to markets improved access and other entities understanding of the (USACE, ABP, area. Efforts would SCORP) that can focus on raising build infrastructure awareness of existing opportunities and expanding new ones.

72 Implementation Procedures

IV. Work with partners A. Continue to support 1. Evaluate natural i. Expand outdoor to produce a Experience Atchafalaya resources and recreation signature event or Days recreational experiences (at events that raise experiences at least one high awareness of the Experience quality experience heritage area’s Atchafalaya Days in each parish) natural resources 2. Identify opportunities ii. Create natural and recreational and gaps and resources opportunities develop strategy to conservation fill gaps experiences (one per region)

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I

PARTNERS AND RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS

INTRODUCTION The heritage area management would work to ensure that partnership opportunities are Implementation of the strategies and actions inclusive and participation is free. There is outlined in the implementation matrix above value in formal partnership to both the would require the support of partners, heritage area and collaborating including public agencies, private organizations. organizations, and individuals. This support would likely come in many forms, including Advantages of formal partnerships for the technical assistance, in-kind donations in the heritage area: Partners would be form of labor hours, etc. and funding. responsible for advancing the vision and Partnerships enhance the heritage area’s goals of the heritage area in a high quality ability to achieve its goals and attract a and authentic manner. Training for partners greater public constituency with a wide would promote a common understanding of range of backgrounds and values. what the heritage area intends to achieve. Collaboration among organizations across the heritage area strengthens connections Advantages of formal partnerships for among parishes and reinforces the values of organizations and attractions: Partners shared cultural and natural heritage would be permitted additional participation throughout the heritage area. and inclusion in marketing programs, including logo use, and priority access to The Commission would continue financial and technical assistance. developing relationships with a wide variety of groups and individuals throughout Partner roles and responsibilities: While implementation; including government there would be no fee to become a formal agencies and representatives at the federal, partner, there would be commitments state, and local levels, educational regarding heritage development and institutions, private sector organizations, programming. Partners would pledge to individuals, civic groups, and nonprofit • Advance the vision, goals, and organizations. themes of the heritage area,

Key partners include the National Park • Seek to educate and inform visitors Service and the State of Louisiana, about the vision, goals, and themes Department of Culture, Recreation and of the heritage area, Tourism. National Park Service involvement • Assure a high level of authenticity would be through both the National and quality in programs and projects Heritage Area program and the Jean Lafitte • National Historical Park and Preserve units. Share information with heritage area staff when appropriate about their Formal partnerships would continue to be heritage development efforts developed with partners who have goals that • Protect resources and educate the are complimentary to those of the heritage public about protection of resources area. Informal partnerships would continue • to be developed, especially when they are Apply for formal partnership status formed for a shorter period of time or with and recertify as required by the limited scope. heritage area

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Partners and Relationship to Other Plans

An additional role that partners could take In addition to technical assistance and would be to contribute to the work of the limited financial assistance from the NPS heritage area with monetary or in-kind National Heritage Area program, the Jean contributions. These contributions might be Lafitte National Historical Park and targeted toward a specific strategy or project Preserve units would continue to be key or be a general contribution to the work of partners for the heritage area. the heritage area. The list of potential partners that the heritage area could work Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and with is very long; only a few existing and Preserve potential partners are highlighted here. The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and heritage area would continue to enhance the Preserve consists of six physically separate number of partners it collaborates with on sites. The park headquarters and visitor an ongoing basis. This section highlights center is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. some of the partners that would play key The visitor center interprets the history of roles in meeting one or more of the goals of New Orleans and the diverse cultures of the heritage area. The partners are broken Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region. Three down into the following categories: federal, park sites are located within the Atchafalaya state, local, and other. Partner plans and National Heritage Area and interpret the goals are listed where known, as well as how Acadian culture of the area. These sites the heritage area managers plan to work with would be the primary heritage area partners. the other plans. Staffs of the Jean Lafitte centers and the heritage area work together already, including web site cross-promotion of FEDERAL PARTNERS events; in the future, they plan to partner on events. National Park Service, National Heritage • The Acadian Cultural Center – Area Program Lafayette, LA The National Park Service (NPS) provides This center tells stories of the technical, planning, and limited financial origins, migration, settlement, and assistance to national heritage areas through contemporary culture of the its National Heritage Area Program. Acadians (Cajuns) and other area However, the Atchafalaya Trace groups. Ranger programs, films, Commission in cooperation, with partners exhibits, and events share a variety of and the public, has ultimate responsibility local traditions including music, for implementing the management plan. The story-telling, dance, and food, and National Park Service provides assistance to explore the mysteries of the the heritage area in the following ways: Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana's • National promotion opportunities wildest place. through special initiatives such as the 2011CW-150 Civil War • Prairie Acadian Cultural Center – Sesquicentennial promotion in Eunice, LA which the Park Service promoted This center provides visitors with the Civil War related events and opportunity to discover the life of activities occurring in national Louisiana's prairie Cajuns through heritage areas through brochures, ranger programs, exhibits, artifacts, web sites, and other means. and films. • Referral to resources such as funding • Wetlands Acadian Cultural opportunities and webinars. Center – Thibodaux, LA The center interprets the lives of the Acadians (Cajuns) and others

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whose travels brought them to to develop and implement a plan to prevent Louisiana’s bayous. Recreation, further damage and loss of life from future clothing, home furnishings, religion, floods. The result has been the development cuisine, and fishing are explored of a comprehensive flood protection project, through exhibits, artifacts, videos, called the Mississippi River & Tributaries and films. A 200-seat theater is used Project (MR&T Project) for the alluvial for productions by the Thibodaux valley of the Mississippi River. Playhouse, Inc., and other programs. The Atchafalaya Basin floodway system is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New major feature of the project and the Orleans District. reporting officer recommended The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is modifications to the MR&T Project that expected to complete an environmental included recreational development impact statement for a recreation program in improvements for about 1,500 acres the Atchafalaya Basin floodway system early (excluding minerals) in the Basin. Appendix in 2011. The main components of this F of the study analyzes and assesses existing recreation program are primitive campsites, and potential recreational resources and destination campsites, boat ramps, trails, etc. area needs. It provides a rationale for the The plan includes boat launches for Myette creation of a recreational plan of point, Krotz Springs, Butte La Rose, Bayou development for the area that is compatible Pigeon; and Bayou Sorrel; the Simmesport with related planning goals. The study boat launch has been completed (USACE recommended the following uses and 1982a). related acreage per use in order to accommodate and support additional access The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and public use (primarily by boat) of the commission would seek to partner with the basin as well as to protect and interpret U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement significant environmental and cultural projects that enhance recreation resources: opportunities in the heritage area. This • 3 developed campgrounds (600 acres) partnership would seek to more effectively • 7 primitive campgrounds (350 acres) and efficiently implement new campsites, • boat ramps, and trails for public use and 1 project visitor center (100 acres) near enjoyment. The heritage area and the U.S. Bayou Sorrel Indian Mound Site Army Corps of Engineers exchange • 8 boat launching ramps-2 lanes (80 information about the progress of these acres); 5 would be upgrades projects, input at public meetings, and other • 7 boat launching ramps-5 lanes (70 issues. Additional ways in which the two acres); 5 would be upgrades might work together is coordinating the dispersal of information to visitors about • 1 nature-interpretive trail (100 acres) new facilities through signage, brochures, • Special and unique areas (200 acres). and web site promotion. A few details about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ environmental impact statement and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish proposed program are included below. and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Feasibility Study. Main Report and the Interior, and U.S. Department of Environmental Impact Statement. Vol. 3. Commerce Appendix F (Recreation Resource 1982) The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, As a result of the 1927 flood, Congress and Restoration Act (Public Law 101-646, passed the Flood Control Act of 1928, which Title III—CWPPRA) was enacted and signed directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers into law on November 29, 1990. The Act directed that a task force consisting of 76 Partners and Relationship to Other Plans representatives of five federal agencies and The Department of Culture, Recreation and the state of Louisiana develop a Tourism has a number of goals, which align “comprehensive approach to restore and with the goals of the Atchafalaya National prevent the loss of coastal wetlands in Heritage Area. These goals include Louisiana.” In order to ensure a rebuilding Louisiana to worldwide comprehensive approach, coastal preeminence as a top tourism destination, restoration and management activities must making the state’s cultural economy the address not only past human development engine of economic and social rebirth, and natural degradation processes but also building better lives and livelihoods than ongoing human development in the coastal before for all Louisiana’s people, and zone under the provisions of CWPPRA. The making Louisiana’s recovery the standard Louisiana Department of Natural Resources for high performance, accountability, and Coastal Management Division pursuant to ethical behavior. CWPPRA developed the Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan (2009) to address the Office of Cultural Development, Agency possible losses attributable to human Goals activities and construction and achieve the The Office of Cultural Development strives goal of “no net loss” of coastal Louisiana’s to increase preservation and protective valuable wetlands. (Louisiana Department of efforts of the state’s cultural resources and Natural Resources 2009b) The ANHA positively impact Louisiana’s economy supports the restoration efforts of CWPPRA through the development of those resources. and serves in a communications facilitator The office includes a number of divisions role among groups with overlapping and programs, including 1) Division of missions. Archaeology 2) Division of the Arts 3) Division of Historic Preservation (including the Main Street Program) 4) Louisiana STATE PARTNERS Cultural Districts, and 5) The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana Louisiana Department of Culture, (CODOFIL). The goals of the Office of Recreation and Tourism (CRT) Cultural Development include the following: Louisiana CRT houses the Atchafalaya Trace • Commission and includes many offices, Increase preservation and protective including the Office of the Lieutenant efforts of the state’s cultural resources. • Governor, Office of Tourism, Office of State Ensure that every citizen of and visitor to Parks, Louisiana State Museum, the State the state of Louisiana will have access to Library of Louisiana, and the Office of quality arts programming. Cultural Development. Each office has a • Assist the Council for the Development unique function and mission that is of French in Louisiana in its efforts to intricately intertwined with that of the develop, utilize, and preserve the French Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. These language. offices work to enhance tourism in the state, manage state parks, museums and libraries, The office has developed the following as well as enhance cultural development objectives to be achieved by 2013: within the state of Louisiana. CRT has also • Survey 60% of the state’s parishes to provided the funds to match federal dollars identify historic properties. distributed through the National Heritage • Improve management of the record Area program. Events and sites are marketed of the state’s archaeological together on the State Tourism Office website resources and assets by providing www.louisianatravel.com, video, and other online availability of 100% of the site marketing materials. forms and by curating 100% of the

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artifact collection to state and federal The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and standards. the Office of Cultural Development will • Assist in the restoration of 900 partner in numerous ways. Some examples historic properties. of this are 1) building the Folklife Program database of tradition-bearers and research; • Increase promotion and awareness 2) collaborating on interpretive projects; 3) of Louisiana’s archaeological promoting tax incentives of the Louisiana heritage through the regional and Cultural Districts, a program that promotes station archeology programs by community revitalization through cultural conducting 25 interpretive projects activity; 4) working with the Divisions of between 2008 and 2013. Historic Preservation and Archaeology to • Provide approximately 100,000 facilitate projects in the 14 heritage area citizens with information about parishes; 5) working with the Main Street archeology between 2008 and 2013. Program to promote the “Louisiana Main to • Main: A Cultural Road Show,” which Create 1,000 new jobs by recruiting showcases the state’s culture, commerce, new businesses and supporting history, and abundance of natural assets. existing businesses in designated Main Street historic districts between 2008 and 2013. Office of Tourism The Office of Tourism manages the state’s • Review 100% of the federally welcome centers among many other efforts. funded, licensed, or permitted The heritage area would continue to operate projects submitted to assess their its existing interpretive exhibit and distribute potential impact on historic and information at the Atchafalaya Welcome archaeological resources. Center on Interstate 10 near Breaux Bridge, • Recruit and administer Foreign the Capitol Park Welcome Center in Baton Associate Teachers from France, Rouge, and the U.S. 84 Welcome Center in Canada, Belgium and other Vidalia. All state welcome centers are open Francophone nations annually. Monday through Sunday, excluding major holidays. • Enable Louisiana teachers and students of French to study French Agency Goals abroad each year. • The Office of Tourism will increase the The Louisiana Division of the Arts within economic impact of travel on Louisiana the Office of Cultural Development also has by 2013. specific goals that are complementary to the • The Office of Tourism will increase the heritage area plan: awareness of Louisiana as a travel • The Louisiana Division of the Arts destination by 2013. will increase the number of Louisiana citizens and visitors The tourism office’s strategic plan outlines a participating in and experiencing number of programs and related objectives arts and cultural activities. to reach the office’s two goals by 2013. • The Louisiana Division of the Arts Highlights of specific program objectives will provide meaningful support for associated with reaching the aforementioned the state’s emerging and established goals include the following: • arts organizations and will advance a Increasing visitor spending by 20% public environment that recognizes (from $8.1 billion in 2005 to $9.7 and assists Louisiana artists as billion in 2013) through the use of valuable state resources. best practices, innovative solutions, advertising, agency coordination,

78 Partners and Relationship to Other Plans

and tourism website improvements, to 1.570 million in FY 2012/2013) among others. and maintain the average length of • Increase the number of visitors to stay by welcome center visitors at 2.0 Louisiana by 40% (from 18.7 million nights during the same time period. 2005 to 26.4 million in 2013) through This is to be accomplished through the development of a master plan for renovating all existing centers by marketing tourism, exploring new 2010, working with Department of and emerging markets, continuing Transportation and Development ongoing support for new events, (DOTD) to provide 24-hour security attractions and special events within officers at all interstate rest areas that Louisiana, targeting minority have a welcome center, and visitors, marketing coordination considering advertising on billboards with convention and visitor bureaus, on out-of-state interstate highways. keeping brochures and marketing In addition, maintaining the length materials updated, encouraging of stay is to be accomplished by longer overnight visits, targeting providing additional visitor outdoor recreation markets, information through wireless portals coordinating the designation of and interpretive kiosks by 2010, scenic byways, developing value maintaining adequate supplies of added products from scenic byway brochures, and providing systems and scenic byway promotional support to local advertising, as well as continuing to convention and visitor bureaus in support the Atchafalaya National the area of welcome centers, among Heritage Area. others.

• Increase the number of jobs within the Louisiana tourism industry by The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 20% (from 110,000 in 2005 to Commission would continue to partner and 132,000 in 2013) through the work closely with the other offices in the creation of a product development department to meet their goals. These goals program (includes local community include increasing visitation; preserving and assessments), establishing standards protecting cultural resources, including the with a common vocabulary and French language; and enhancing develop programs to educate interpretation and the economic impact of attraction operators about Louisiana travel in the state. The efforts of the travel opportunities, collaboration Commission would complement these goals; with local communities to prepare thus maintaining and enhancing this employees for business partnership would serve to meet shared opportunities and attract visitors goals and interests. interested in Louisiana tourism activities, host seminars and develop Louisiana State Museum training materials for local The Louisiana State Museum operates in governments and convention and multiple locations, including three within visitor bureaus to ensure consistent the heritage area. messaging, and continue • The Louisiana State Museum-Baton administering and monitoring the Rouge features thematic exhibits on Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area tax the diverse aspects of Louisiana credit program. history, industry and culture and has two permanent exhibitions entitled • Increase the number of visitors to Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana Louisiana’s welcome centers by 25% and the Nation, and Experiencing (from 1.257 million in FY2005/2006 79

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Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of “premier traveling experience,” which builds America. Admission is free and the awareness and expands economic museum operates Tuesday through opportunity and strengthens place. Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. It The heritage area would expect to work is closed on Sunday, Monday, and closely with this program through the state holidays. exchange of regional cultural information • The Louisiana State Museum- and exploring joint interpretation Patterson is the official state aviation opportunities. and cypress sawmill industry museum. The history of the cypress Office of State Parks lumber industry in Louisiana is The Office of State Parks manages the state’s documented in the Patterson parks and historic sites. The parks have been Cypress Sawmill Collection. This carefully chosen for their outstanding industry has influenced the recreation potential. State parks offer Atchafalaya area and is a component opportunities to hike, fish, bike, and bird of the heritage area’s interpretive watch, among others. State parks and themes. Admission is free and hours historic sites within or adjacent to the of operation are from 9:30 am – 4:00 heritage area include Lake Fausse Point State pm Tuesday - Saturday. The museum Park, which is currently closed for repairs; is closed on Mondays and public Chicot State Park; and Cypremort Point holidays. State Park; Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site; and Marksville Prehistoric • The E.D. White Historic Site, a Indian Site. National Historic Landmark,

includes an exhibit, which tells the Division of Outdoor Recreation story of the Bayou Lafourche area. The state comprehensive outdoor recreation This exhibit includes sections on the plan (outlined below) is an important Chitimacha Indians, Acadian settlers, statewide decision making policy level plan, sugarcane plantations, slavery and which was prepared for the Division of the White family. Admission to the Outdoor Recreation. It serves as the state’s site is free and hours are from 10:00 decision-making guidance for developing am to 4:30 pm from Tuesday through outdoor recreation resources over the next Saturday, except major holidays. five years. The heritage area would utilize

this plan in collaborating with partners to The Louisiana State Museum provided the provide outdoor recreation experiences that heritage area with a traveling exhibit, which increase appreciation of the natural the heritage area successfully placed in 10 resources and knowledge of conservation locations. The museum is also currently practices. assisting the heritage area with curriculum development. The State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation

Plan (SCORP) (2009-2013) (SCORP) is a Louisiana Byways Program policy level plan that provides decision- Louisiana Scenic Byways are designated by making guidance for the development and the National Scenic Byways Program and management of Louisiana’s outdoor recognized by the U.S. Secretary of recreation resources over the next five years. Transportation, but are under the direction The plan is also a federal requirement to of the Louisiana Department of Culture, acquire federal funding from the Land and Recreation and Tourism. The mission of the Water Conservation Fund. It identifies the Louisiana Byways Program is to preserve, state’s outdoor recreational needs, goals, and enhance, and promote the program. Its goal strategies to efficiently coordinate the efforts is to brand Louisiana Scenic Byways as a of the many stakeholders involved in 80 Partners and Relationship to Other Plans recreation throughout the state. For the state organizations. It also highlights the types of as a whole, the plan identifies the top ten recreational activities, popular places for outdoor recreational activities determined visitor use, and important community by relative importance from a survey of activities as determined through a survey households. The top three were 1) distributed to municipal and parish officials fishing/crabbing, 2) running/ jogging, and 3) and members of the Louisiana Recreation campground camping. The survey also and Park Association. showed that residents place high importance on visiting natural areas. A few other Of interest in relationship to the national interesting findings from the household heritage area is that recreational providers survey include the following: identified local sites and parks as the most • Most state residents receive popular places for visitor and resident use, recreation information by word of followed by cultural and historical sites, mouth (78.4%) trails, and waterfronts (Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and • Residents enjoy driving for pleasure Tourism 2009). or scenic drives and most drive to

natural sites within the state (60.5%) The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area • Residents visit public recreation would seek to partner and coordinate with places to create memories (56.1%) the state, parishes, local governments, and and to have unique experiences organizations to enhance and raise (41.1%) awareness of recreational opportunities in • Residents’ participation in outdoor the heritage area, furthering the key recreation is limited by lack of priorities identified in this plan. information (31.0%), facility distance (26.3%), and a general lack Louisiana Bicentennial Commission of facilities (24.5%) The Louisiana Bicentennial Commission was created and established in the Department of • Preferred improvements of outdoor Culture, Recreation and Tourism by an act recreation include the following: passed by the Louisiana legislature. It was • Additional facilities for a wider created to mark the 200th anniversary of variety of activities (37.4%) Louisiana's attainment of statehood as the 18th state in the Union April 30th, 1812. • Promotion/more information Through both education and celebration, (34.6%) the Commission's goal is to commemorate • More public land (35.6%) the state’s bicentennial in every corner of the state. • Closer facilities (32.2%)

• Most active participants in outdoor Louisiana Department of Natural recreational activities are children Resources When the federal government expanded its The state’s top recreational priorities over focus in the Atchafalaya through legislation the next five years are economic tourism, beyond flood control and water navigation, innovation (activities that inspire diverse to include public access, acquisition of ages and abilities), community outdoor environmental easements, water recreation, trails, and cooperation/ management projects, and recreational coordination among agencies to avoid opportunities in the Atchafalaya Basin, the service duplication. The plan summarizes Louisiana Department of Natural Resources the recreational facilities and services (LDNR) was named the lead state agency in provided by federal, state, local/parish, and the development of a plan to protect and commercial and nonprofit agencies and develop the Atchafalaya Basin as directed by 81

CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Congress, in conjunction with the U.S. Army and cities, the Atchafalaya Basin Levee Corps of Engineers (USACE). The Louisiana District and several state agencies involved legislature created the Atchafalaya Basin in the Basin Program to advance Program and its advisory Research and conservation, restoration, recreation, and Promotion Board in 1998 and in 1999, the enhancement projects. These state agencies Louisiana Legislature empowered the include Agriculture and Forestry; Culture, Atchafalaya Basin Program to act on behalf Recreation and Tourism; Environmental of the State to implement and manage a Quality; Health and Hospitals; Natural comprehensive State Master Plan for the Resources; Transportation and Atchafalaya Basin. The program staff meets Development; Wildlife and Fisheries; and regularly with USACE representatives about the State Land Office. efforts in the Basin and the program also works in cooperation with partners to The current (2012) Atchafalaya Basin Plan advance conservation, restoration, includes a number of funded and proposed recreation, and enhancement projects in the water quality/water management Basin. improvements and 5 boat launches that are proposed for funding. With assistance from Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, LDNR recently submitted a The ANHA and the Atchafalaya Basin grant application to the LA Recreational Program (ABP) already partner on several Trails Program for the construction of a trail initiatives. The ABP constructed the adjacent to the Atchafalaya State Welcome Atchafalaya Welcome Center, and continues Center. The trail would interpret the natural to be involved with the ANHA on various swamp habitat (wildlife and forestry) with projects there: Experience Atchafalaya Days careful access to the natural resources. The demonstrations are one example. The two Boy Scouts of America will participate in programs collaborated on a recreational maintenance of the site; the Atchafalaya trails grant for a wetland trail at the National Heritage Area would help with Atchafalaya Welcome Center. The trail will interpretive signage. The grant met first- provide a learning experience utilizing the round approval and due diligence is in natural resources. The two programs process. frequently appear together at events to educate the public on their roles in the State Department of Natural Resources Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. Atchafalaya Basin Program Louisiana Department of Natural Resources More information can be found at (LA-DNR) Atchafalaya Basin Program was http://dnr.louisiana.gov/sec/atchafalaya/. created to conserve, restore, and enhance (Louisiana Department of Natural the natural habitat of the Basin. In 1986, Resources, 2009a, and 2012a) Congress authorized $250 million to preserve and enhance the Basin through the State Department of Natural Resources U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by expanding Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation public access, environmental easements, Program Plan water management, and recreation. In 1999, In 2002, Congress directed the Secretary of the Louisiana Legislature voted unanimously Commerce to establish a Coastal and for the State Master Plan of the Atchafalaya Estuarine Land Conservation Program Basin (Act 920), authorizing $85 million to (CELCP) “for the purpose of protecting be spent over a 15 year period, in order to important coastal and estuarine areas that match the federal dollars. have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or Over the years, the Atchafalaya Basin that are threatened by conversion from their Program has also entered into agreements natural or recreational state to other uses.” with the USACE, Basin parishes, area towns (The Department of Commerce, Justice, and 82 Partners and Relationship to Other Plans

State Appropriations Act of 2002, Public and there may be opportunity for including Law 107-77) NHA personnel on the TAC in the future.

The Louisiana Department of Natural More information can be found at Resources was the lead agency for the state http://www.coastal.la.gov. (Louisiana of Louisiana’s coastal management program Department of Natural Resources 2012b). and in 2008, developed a draft Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program Plan State Department of Wildlife and (CELCP), which is currently under review. Fisheries This program is now housed in the The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Governor’s Office of Coastal Protection and Fisheries (LDWF) Wildlife Action Plan (2005) Restoration. was developed for the purpose of designing a blueprint to guide LDWF in the The CELCP will work to establish land development of management actions for conservation needs and projects in order to Louisiana’s fish and wildlife species with aid in efforts to protect and conserve emphasis on species of conservation habitats that provide environmental, concern and the associated habitats on historical, aesthetic, and recreational which they depend. The goals of this plan benefits for the public. Of the 30 parishes are species conservation, habitat included in the CELCP area, 9 of them are conservation, public outreach and also within the boundary of the Atchafalaya education, and the development of new and National Heritage Area: Ascension, existing partnerships. More information can Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Iberia, be found at http://www.wlf.state.la.us/. The Iberville, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, heritage area would work with LDWF when and West Baton Rouge. (Louisiana appropriate to meet shared goals and Department of Natural Resources 2009b) interests. An example might be to work with the Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Further, the 2012 plan includes a science- Design) program to enhance this program’s based decision making process and the work to assist learners of any age in following goals: developing awareness, knowledge, skills, • Reduce economic losses from storm- and commitment to result in informed based flooding decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and • Promote a sustainable coastal the environment upon which all life ecosystem by harnessing natural system depends. processes

• Provide habitats suitable to support an Louisiana Department of Agriculture and array of commercial and recreational Forestry activities coast-wide This department’s mission is to promote, • Sustain Louisiana’s unique heritage and protect and advance agriculture and culture forestry, and soil and water resources. The Market Development Division administers

the department’s Certified Logo Program for The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Louisiana agricultural products. Louisiana supports the work of CELCP and can food producers are encouraged to include promote awareness of the Tax Credit the following logos on the labels and program through CELCP. packages of products grown, processed or packaged in Louisiana: “Certified Product of A Cultural Technical Advisory Committee Louisiana,” “Certified Cajun Product of (TAC) has been created; currently this Louisiana,” or “Certified Creole Product of committee includes three cultural specialists Louisiana.” The heritage area would work 83

CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN with the department as appropriate to meet National Audubon Society, Inc. shared goals and interests. The Audubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for LOCAL PARTNERS the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. The organization has The list of local partners includes each of the been a stakeholder in Louisiana for more fourteen parish governments and municipal than 75 years and the Audubon Society’s governments in each parish. The heritage Gulf Coast Initiative has participated in and area would continue to work closely with assisted with Experience Atchafalaya Days. parish welcome centers, as well as parish convention and visitor bureaus to help with Bayou Teche Paddle Trail Partners promotions and tourism product There are many partners, including the development. Other local partners could Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, that are include local libraries and school districts. collaborating on the planning effort for the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail. These partners include The Acadiana Resource OTHER PARTNERS Conservation and Development Council, the There are a variety of additional partners, Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism, The many with whom relationships have been TECHE Project, the National Park Service, established because their missions Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance complement the mission of the Atchafalaya (RTCA) program, as well as municipalities National Heritage Area. and parishes. The project has an educational component that addresses litter abatement, Friends of the Atchafalaya pollution, and habitat protection. The The Friends of the Atchafalaya is a private project is expected to also address water non-profit organization and not part of a quality, conservation, and recreation state department, agency, or office. The opportunities along the 130-mile waterway. heritage area has partnered with this Bayou Teche is utilized by local paddling organization for the past two years to clubs, 4H groups, Boy Scouts and local develop programming and activities for schools, and there is already a successful Experience Atchafalaya Days. This annual paddling race attended by visitors partnership is expected to continue to from across the United States. produce this month long event every October. See chapter 1 for additional details Louisiana State University Agricultural on this signature event which highlights the Center ANHA resources. The center’s mission is to provide the people of Louisiana with research-based Local Museums. There are numerous local educational information that will improve museums that the heritage area could their lives and economic well-being. The partner with to help meet its goals. An center is planning paddling trails in the example would be the Acadian Memorial in Northern part of the state, which are St. Martinville. This museum “honors the expected to eventually merge with trails in 3,000 men, women and children who found the northern portion of the heritage area. refuge in Louisiana after British forces exiled The center is assisting with planning for the them from Acadie, their homeland on the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail by providing Atlantic Coast of Canada, in the mid-18th information about their paddling trail century.” planning efforts.

84 Partners and Relationship to Other Plans

Louisiana Travel and Promotion statewide Tourism Summit and the Association (LTPA) Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is LTPA is a private, non-profit, membership assisting the Conference Planning trade association that leads the private sector Committee with the inclusion of a “Green growth of the Louisiana Tourism Economy. Visitor Experience” track at the 2012 This organization produces an annual, conference.

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I

HISTORIC AND FUTURE FUNDING

EXISTING AND POTENTIAL SOURCES to the overall NPS Heritage Partnership OF FUNDING Program funding level approved by Congress and must be matched by non- The heritage area’s ability to implement the federal sources. actions and strategies in this plan will require funding in addition to funds received from The heritage area has also benefitted from the National Heritage Area program or in-kind services in the form of nonprofit Louisiana Office of Culture, Recreation and volunteer hours and services provided by Tourism. Effectively leveraging these funds other state agencies. will be critical to the heritage area’s success. Over the past three years, the state of The state of Louisiana’s Department of Louisiana has provided matching funds to Culture, Recreation and Tourism solely the heritage area. In addition to these two funded the heritage area prior to its funding streams, the heritage area has been designation at the federal level. Funding able to leverage these funds with in-kind from 2003-2006 in Table 4 below reflects contributions in the form of volunteer hours state funding only. to implement projects, such as Experience Atchafalaya Days. Table 4. Funding History for the Atchafalaya Heritage Area

BUDGET AND CURRENT FUNDING Year Funding $ Actual NPS Heritage Partnership Program 2003 307,118 funding for the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area through 2010 has been 2004 195,566 approximately $150,000 a year, available for 2005 191,141 heritage area projects and expenses. Under the current structure, the Louisiana Office of 2006 67,565 Tourism covers the executive director’s salary and reasonable Commission expenses. 2007 0 However, economic conditions and changes 2008 331,170 in administration can affect funding levels from year to year. The Commission may also 2009 167,754 establish a contingency fund to ensure the 2010 380,000 continuation of implementation in the case of administrative actions on other funding 2011 301,820 sources, for example, in the event of a Source: Louisiana State Budget Office spending freeze on state funds.

The NPS National Heritage Area program With federal designation in 2006, national has provided funding for the past three years heritage are funding was first distributed to to develop this management plan. Once this the Atchafalaya heritage are in 2008. Since plan has been signed by the Secretary of the 2008, the state has continued to provide Interior, the heritage area becomes eligible funds to match the federal dollars per the for a higher level of funding from the matching requirement in the designating National Heritage Area program to law. The dollar amounts shown in table 4 implement this plan. This funding is subject reflect the combined state and national 86

Historic and Future Funding heritage area program funds. Federal The federal allocation to the Atchafalaya national heritage area program funds have National Heritage Area through the averaged about $148,553 annually since National Park Service National Heritage 2008. Area Program is subject to congressional approval of annual budgets. Given the lack The Income and Expenditures (2009-2011) of heritage area program legislation and table (table 5) identifies the total amount of minimal, guaranteed base funding, the money that has been received and used by amount of federal dollars distributed to the the heritage area in each of the past three heritage area each year is unknown. In years, as well as in-kind contributions. The addition, the funding formula for heritage area expenditures are broken down distribution of monies to individual heritage into three categories: 1) resource areas is currently being reevaluated and may development and interpretation, 2) change. As a result, it would be speculative to marketing and visitor services, and 3) include specific annual dollar figures for administration and operations. future years.

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Historic and Future Funding

Table 5. Income and Expenditures (2009-2011)

Income 2009 2010 2011 State of Louisiana for the Atchafalaya Trace National Heritage Area $167,754 $174,802 $133,320

In-kind volunteer value $21,525 $18,000

NPS Heritage Partnership Program funding for $150,000 development of the management plan $148,000 $150,000

TOTAL $315,754 $347,077 $301,820 Expenditures Resource Development and Interpretation: $143,579 $186,047 $182,600 management plan, branding tour and campaign, educational outreach,

Marketing and Visitor Services: hosting Alliance $66,758 $45,708 $24,420 of National Heritage Areas Conference, promotional items, heritage and cultural event grants in support of the area’s historic, cultural, and natural resources. (Including: Eagle Expo, Acadiana Memorial Festival, Delta Music Festival, Louisiana Corn Festival, Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival, Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival).

Administration and Operations: personnel (1.5 $105,417 $115,322 $94,300 FTEs), office supplies, travel, National Heritage Area Alliance dues, and the 2009 Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Visitor Survey.

TOTAL $315,754 $347,077 $301.820 Partner Investments Friends of the Atchafalaya volunteer work (in 453 270 To be provided hours) at year end

The Atchafalaya Trace Commission donated 250 431 To be provided work (in hours) at year end Sources: 2009 & 2010 Annual Report; 2011 Scope of Work

FUTURE FUNDING have been identified by the Commission is provided here. Although the Atchafalaya The heritage area plans to address sources of National Heritage Area is eligible for federal funds and fundraising strategies in more funds from the National Heritage Area detail in 2012, but a potential list of funding program through 2021, the commission sources in addition to NPS National would strive to reduce their need to rely on Heritage Area and Louisiana Department of National Heritage Area funds throughout Culture, Recreation and Tourism funds that

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Historic and Future Funding the life of this plan in an effort to become of maritime heritage education activities and financially self-sufficient. seven basic categories of maritime heritage preservation activities. Education activities To support additional staff and programs, include 1) activities which serve to enhance the Commission may explore the potential public access, use, and appreciation for to identify dedicated revenue streams. maritime heritage collections; 2) activities Examples of revenue streams could be a focusing on maritime heritage trails and portion of hotel tax or fees paid for corridors; 3) maritime heritage field extractive permits within the heritage area. programs, 4) maritime history programs; The Commission could also apply for public 5) activities designed to encourage the and private grants as a sole applicant and as a preservation of traditional maritime skills; partner with other agencies, parishes, 6) minor construction projects which will municipalities, and non-profit organizations, improve public access, use and appreciation etc. Examples include recreation trail grant of educational and exhibit spaces of applications with parishes, non-profits or maritime heritage organizations; 7) reporting agencies, as well as joint interpretive kiosk and publicity projects designed to increase projects with the Louisiana Byways Program public awareness and understanding of and parishes. The Commission can also maritime preservation programs or projects. accept donations and would explore the Preservation categories include: 1) activities creation of an endowment to provide associated with acquiring ownership of, or ongoing funding. responsibility for, historic maritime properties for preservation purposes; Funding can come from a wide variety of 2) preservation planning; 3) documentation sources, including the following: of historic maritime properties; 4) protection • federal government and stabilization of historic maritime properties; 5) preservation, restoration, or • state government rehabilitation of historic maritime • parishes properties; 6) maintenance of historic • local municipalities maritime properties; and 7) reconstruction or reproduction of well-documented • universities and colleges historic maritime properties. • nonprofits and foundations National Center for Preservation, • businesses and private donors Technology, and Training

Federal Government Funding Throughout the United States, this center has undertaken important and varied work National Park Service to advance the preservation of cultural resources. Partners in government, private National Maritime Heritage Grants practice, tribes, museums, universities and The National Maritime Heritage Grants nonprofits are important collaborators in program helps state and local governments nearly all that the center has accomplished. and private nonprofit organizations carry This list summarizes the center’s work out their maritime heritage activities by through the PTTGrants and PTTProjects funding Maritime Heritage Preservation programs. Website: Projects and Maritime Heritage Education http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/Grants/Default.as Projects designed to preserve historic px maritime resources and increase public awareness and appreciation for the maritime heritage of the United States. This program is designed to support seven basic categories

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CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Department of Agriculture Economic Development Administration Resource Conservation and Development Public Works, Economic Adjustment, Program (Natural Resource Conservation Planning, and Research and Technical Service) Assistance Programs This program provides technical and limited Grants from these programs assist financial assistance to assist more than 300 communities in infrastructure development, local RC&D Councils with development local capacity building, and business projects, including heritage tourism and development to help alleviate conditions of related business development. Website: substantial and persistent unemployment www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/rcd/ and underemployment in economically distressed areas and regions. Rehabilitation Department of Transportation of historic properties is an eligible activity if there is significant job creation as are Authorized by the transportation act, funds projects that support heritage tourism. are channeled through state departments of Website: www.eda.gov transportation. Funds may be used for trails, canals, and other transportation projects. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Highway Administration Rural Housing and Economic Recreational Trails Program Development Grants Funds are administered by the Federal These grants assist in capacity building at the Highway Administration and are from state and local level for rural housing and federal fuel taxes. Each state receives an economic development and support apportionment each year and provides innovative housing and economic grants for recreational trail projects. development activities in rural areas. They

can fund projects involving heritage tourism Bicycle and Pedestrian Program and economic development through use of This program promotes bicycle and historic properties. pedestrian transportation use, safety, and Website: accessibility. The Program is responsible for www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/economicdevelop implementing Federal transportation ment/programs/ rhed/index.cfm legislation and policy related to bicycling and walking. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is not a funding program. Small Business Administration Pedestrian and bicycle projects and Training Programs programs are eligible for almost all Federal- The Small Business Administration does not aid highway funding categories. Each State provide direct loans or grants (although it has a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator in guarantees loans), but it does provide its State Department of Transportation to entrepreneurs with training materials and promote and facilitate nonmotorized opportunities that could support heritage transportation, including developing tourism and business development using pedestrian and bicycle facilities and public historic buildings. educational, promotional, and safety Website: www.sba.gov/training/ programs. National Endowment for the Arts National Scenic Byways Program Grants This program recognizes and provides National Heritage Fellowship funding for roads designated either locally As part of its efforts to honor and preserve or nationally as having outstanding scenic, our nation's diverse cultural heritage, the historic, cultural, natural, recreational and National Endowment for the Arts annually archaeological qualities. awards one-time-only National Heritage

90 Historic and Future Funding

Fellowships for master folk and traditional include docent tours, publications (e.g., artists. These fellowships are intended to brochures, guidebooks, etc.), driving or recognize the recipients' artistic excellence walking trails or tours, annotated itineraries, and support their continuing contributions exhibition labeling or trail signs, films, and to our nation's traditional arts heritage. digital media. Website: www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/ Grants for Folk and Traditional Arts historicplaces.html Projects: Access to Artistic Excellence To encourage and support artistic Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units excellence, preserve our cultural heritage, (CESU) and provide access to the arts for all The Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Americans. An organization may request a Studies Unit (GC-CESU) facilitates grant amount from $5,000 to $150,000. collaborative research, education and technical assistance pertaining to the human Challenge America: Reaching Every and natural environment, within and beyond Community Fast-Track Review Grants the region, among federal and state agencies, These grants offer support to small and mid- universities and non-governmental sized organizations for projects that extend organizations. Each study unit includes the reach of the arts to underserved multiple federal agencies, universities, and populations. Eligible projects include those nongovernment organizations as partners. focusing on the development of cultural Though they are called "ecosystem studies" tourism and cultural districts, and assisting units, they cover work from anthropology to local economic development and cultural zoology. Projects involve the biological, publicity efforts. Grants are for $10,000. physical, social, and cultural sciences and Website: address both natural and cultural resource http://www.nea.gov/Grants/apply/Folk.html issues at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context. National Endowment for the Humanities The National Endowment for the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Humanities (NEH) is an independent grant- typically have a small discretionary funding making agency of the United States pool, often in the range of $2-4,000 annually. government dedicated to supporting Funds are often distributed to boost ongoing research, education, preservation, and projects or support new projects within each public programs in the humanities. Website: region. The heritage area could utilize in- http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/index.html kind of funding assistance from the Gulf Coast CESU at some point in the future. America’s Historic Places Grants Part of the National Endowment for the Additional Resources: Humanities’ We the People Initiative, this • Federal programs that support program provides funding for public heritage tourism programs that use one or more historic sites • http://www.achp.gov/heritagetouris to address themes and issues central to m-assist.html American history. Projects eligible for funding may interpret a single historic site, a • Historic Preservation Tax Incentives series of sites, whole neighborhoods, • http://www.nps.gov/hps/tps/tax/ind communities or towns, or larger ex.htm geographical regions. Fundable activities

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CHAPTER THREE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

State Government Parish and Municipal Government Louisiana Division of Historic The heritage area could utilize parish or Preservation local funding sources to implement projects and programs that meet shared interests. These funding sources might assist with art Historic Building Recovery Grant programs, park, open space, and trails Program programs, historic preservation efforts, and This grant program provides monetary educational programs. grants and oversight of repairs to historic buildings that suffered damage in hurricanes Other Funding Rita and Katrina in 2005. The Program is Universities and Colleges funded by a grant from the U.S. National Park Service, authorized by Congress. The heritage area would work with higher Website: education institutions when appropriate. http://www.crt.state.la.us/hp/grants/historic Such institutions would primarily contribute _building_recovery_grant_program.aspx to the heritage area’s work through in-kind donations that would help to meet the Louisiana Division of the Arts federal matching requirement. The heritage area could partner with such institutions to The division offers grants to artists, utilize academic and technology expertise nonprofit arts organizations, and other types and student interns. of nonprofit and government entities across the state and in all 64 parishes. The Division Nonprofits and Foundations awards grants in seven strategic areas: Stabilization, Capacity Building, Arts-In- There are vast numbers of local, regional, Education, Folklife Initiative Fund, Artist and national nonprofit organizations and Services, State-Local Partnerships, and foundations that may have an interest in Special Initiatives. contributing to the Atchaflaya National Heritage Area goals. The universe of Louisiana Office of Tourism potential non-profit funders is too large to include here. A few examples are included The office has a competitive grant program and more detail would be included in the for marketing and tourism project fundraising plan the heritage area plans to enhancement initiatives. The funding is used produce. to support events and projects that support and promote tourism and travel in National Trust for Historic Preservation Louisiana. This organization provides leadership,

education, advocacy, and resources to save Louisiana Endowment for the America's diverse historic places and Humanities revitalize our communities. Grants are awarded to organizations that Website: mount programs either promoting or http://www.preservationnation.org/ applying the humanities. In the past, grants have been awarded to a variety of nonprofit The Trust for Public Land organizations, including museums, libraries, Since 1972, the Trust for Public Lands has historical societies, professional groups, worked with willing landowners, community governmental bodies, and colleges and groups, and national, state, and local universities. agencies to complete more than 3,500 land conservation projects in 47 states, protecting 2.5 million acres. Since 1994, the trust has helped states and communities craft and

92 Historic and Future Funding pass over 330 ballot measures, generating • Secretary of Interior’s Standards for almost $25 billion in new conservation- Treatment of Historic Properties related funding. [http://www.nps.gov/history/local- Website: law/arch_stnds_8_2.htm] http://www.tpl.org/tier2_sa.cfm?folder_id • National Environmental Policy Act =170 [www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/ind

ex.html] The Nature Conservancy The mission of The Nature Conservancy is • OMB Circulars. The commission to preserve plants, animals and natural would be required to follow circulars communities that represent the diversity of A-87, A-102, and A-133; as life on Earth by protecting the lands and applicable. waters they need to survive. They are o A-87: Cost Principles for State, dedicated to preserving biological diversity, Local, and Indian Tribal and their values compel them to find ways to Governments; ensure that human activities can be o A-102: Grants and Cooperative conducted harmoniously with the Agreements with State and Local preservation of natural diversity. Website: Governments; http://www.nature.org/ o A-133: Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Businesses and Private Donors Organizations. Large sums of money are donated by both Website: businesses and private citizens annually and http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circula this is a potential source of funding for the rs/index.html heritage area. The number of potential business and private donors is too large to • list here. The heritage area would develop A nonprofit organization, if it more detailed strategies for raising funds received federal funds, would be from these sources in their fundraising plan. required to comply with OMB Circular A-110: Uniform Administrative Requirements for PROJECT REQUIREMENTS FOR Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, RECIPIENTS OF FEDERAL OR STATE Hospitals, and other Non-Profit FUNDING Organizations; Davis-Bacon Act for Projects receiving federal or state funds are construction contracts over $2,000. required to comply with the following laws http://davisbacon.fedworld.gov/ and policy, as applicable: • State Coastal Management Plan • Section 106 of the National Historic • In addition to individual state agency Preservation Act requirements, all procurement [www.achp.gov/work106.html] (goods and services) must conform • Native American Graves Protection to Standard Procurement Policy as and Repatriation Act found in R.S 38, 39, 42, 43 and 44. [www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra]

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MONITORING PROGRESS AND AMENDING THE PLAN

MONITORING AND EVALUATION sustainability. The implementation plan would allow for adjustments to be made The Commission would assess the along the way. These adjustments, along management plan’s effectiveness on an with any federal or state legislative ongoing basis and track its progress in modifications that may be recommended, meeting the goals and implementing the will be called out in an annual work plan and strategies of the plan. The Commission the annual report. would use conventional planning, budgeting, and benchmarking tools to monitor progress toward achieving plan goals and long-term

Figure 5. Implementation is a Flexible, Adaptable Process

Vision, Mission, Goals

Adjust Annual Management Work Plan based Focus on progress

Monitor and Implementation Measure Plan Progress

ANNUAL REPORT cultural, historic and recreational resources. The report may include a spotlight on The Commission would prepare an annual success stories, such as completed projects, report that will describe and evaluate the innovative programs, and key partnerships progress toward implementing its contributing to Plan implementation. The implementation plan, and the overall annual report would be prepared in effectiveness of the Management Plan’s conjunction with the Commission’s strategies for protecting, interpreting, and recurring and non-recurring federal enhancing the heritage area’s natural, scenic, 94

Monitoring Progress and Amending the Plan appropriations requests, and would area. The evaluation will include the specifically address how its performance is following assessments set forth in P.L. 110- affected by budget changes. The report will 229, May 8, 2008 Section 462, the National be made available to the Secretary of the Park Service’s evaluation criteria for heritage Interior, Congress, and the public. areas in the Heritage Partnerships Program: • Progress of local management entity (Commission) in accomplishing the EVALUATION purposes of the authorizing legislation and in achieving the goals While the Atchafalaya National Heritage and objectives in the approved Area designation is permanent, the enabling Management Plan legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to the • Analysis of the impact of investments Commission for 15 years or until October by Federal, State, Tribal and local 2021. As this date approaches, the government and private entities Commission would conduct an evaluation, • Identification of critical components or sustainability study, of its operations and for the heritage area’s sustainability. work to date with an eye toward options for the future. This information will be used to assist the This analysis will include a review of the Commission in determining alternatives for accomplishments of the Commission, continued operations after 2021 and until National Park Service and partners to date; the Plan’s goals are substantially achieved. an assessment of how effective federal funds invested in the heritage area have been in The Commission and staff would conduct leveraging additional federal, state, local and regular self-evaluations to monitor progress private sector investment; an evaluation of against the management plan. The following the Commission as a form of management evaluation criteria would be used to monitor for the heritage area; and identification of and track success and make more informed further actions and commitments needed to decisions on an annual basis to include in the fulfill the legislative intent of the heritage annual work plan.

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Table 6. Evaluation Criteria by Goal and Implementation Time Frame

Mid Range Long Term Initial Actions Goals and Objectives Actions Actions Through 2012 2013-2016 2017-2020

Goal 1: Enhance interpretation and awareness of the heritage area’s key stories Evaluation Criteria: ƒ Increase in number and variety of exhibits ƒ Increase in visitor awareness levels from those identified in the 2009 benchmark Visitor Survey ƒ Increase in number of itineraries ƒ Installation of gateway and reassurance signs and, later, partner site signs ƒ Increase in number and variety of events ƒ Increase in marketing efforts: # web site hits, documented media coverage, presentations ƒ Increase in number or enhancement of educational materials available to adults, families, and classrooms

Goal 2: Support Sustainable Cultural Economic Development Opportunities in the Heritage Area Evaluation Criteria: ƒ Increase in number of tax credits awarded ƒ Increase in small business resource workshops

Goal 3: Increase appreciation for cultural resources. Evaluation Criteria: ƒ Increase in number and variety of events ƒ Increase in projects funded ƒ Increase in number of partner sites ƒ Increase the number of documented cultural experts listed in the folklife database ƒ Number of cultural or ethnographic research projects listed in the folklife database

Goal 4: Increase appreciation for natural resources. Evaluation Criteria: ƒ Increase in number and variety of events ƒ Increase in projects that create or enhance trails, greenways or blueways

General Evaluation Criteria: ƒ Grant Program: ƒ Number of grants awarded ƒ Total amount awarded ƒ Number of grants supporting best management practices of conservation, preservation, interpretation, etc. ƒ Number of new partnerships ƒ Number of volunteer hours

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Chapter 4 Interpretation Plan

Above: Great Egret Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge Left: Lake Henderson Photo Credits: Charlie Fryling

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INTRODUCTION

The primary goal of the interpretation plan Adapting the message and themes for for the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is various audiences is an important part of the to define the interpretive messages or interpretation planning process, and the themes of the heritage area and identify the topic of audience groups is addressed next. resources that represent these themes. These themes are based on both the vision The interpretation plan also examines key and mission of the heritage area and are audience groups and how the heritage area designed to ensure that the interpretive hopes to reach them through various message reaches its target audiences and interpretive programs and media. By framing meets the purpose of the heritage area: a better understanding of potential audiences and how they relate to each The purpose of the Atchafalaya National theme, the overall goals and purpose of the Heritage Area is to establish and maintain Atchafalaya Heritage Area can be achieved. interpretive sites; increase public “Table 7. Audiences, Themes, and awareness of and appreciation for the Implementation Goals” can be found later in natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and this chapter. recreational resources of the area; and implement programs that recognize the Finally, the interpretation plan defines the important resource values of the national relationship between the intangible themes heritage area. and the tangible resources found within the heritage area; numerous historic sites, In order to achieve this purpose, interpretive museums, wilderness areas, state parks, and themes for the Atchafalaya National river are spread over fourteen parishes that Heritage Area build upon the core theme of make up the Atchafalaya National Heritage the relationship between the people and the Area. Linking these resources to their related land. The interpretation plan lays out three themes is one of the goals of the primary themes that emerged from this core interpretation plan and the Resource-Theme theme. These primary themes include Matrix captures this information. Found in 1) Adaptation and survival, the Appendix B of this document, the Resource-Theme Matrix documents each 2) Identity through a cultural blend resource, its related themes, site integrity, 3) Influence of the water on the land and access, visitor value, and resource type. An the people. example for one parish is included as table 8.

Stories or sub-themes related to the primary Strategies to put this interpretation plan into themes provide even greater insight into the action are found in the previous “Chapter interpretive messages of the heritage area. Three: Implementation Plan.” Many of these The first part of this chapter explores the actions are found under “Goal 1: Enhance interpretive themes and sub-themes. Interpretation and Awareness of the Heritage Area’s Key Stories.” However, Following the development of these themes, actions and strategies under other goals may interpretive needs and issues are identified also have interpretive aspects. and addressed. This provides guidance for further actions by the heritage area.

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THEMES AND STORIES

The following section outlines a range of provide even greater depth for the interpretive themes and stories that can be interpretive opportunities that exist within applied and effectively explored at various the heritage area. locations within the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. These resources provide Interpretive themes are ideas, concepts, or focal points for informing and exposing stories that are central to the heritage area’s visitors to the area’s significance at a national purpose, significance, identity, and the as well as international level. These themes visitor’s as well as resident’s experience. are largely based on the outcomes of prior Themes provide the framework for interpretation planning efforts and are interpretation and educational program, meant to be representative rather than include the resident and visitor experience, exhaustive. and provide direction for planners and designers of exhibits, publications, and Additional interpretive opportunities audiovisual programs. These are the stories abound within the heritage area, and while that visitors should leave the area with and many of these stories may have more local or that residents should easily identify with. regional than national significance; their presence contributes to the interpretive The following themes are adapted from the richness that is one of the regional’s greatest state plan for the heritage area and were attributes. Beginning with a core theme, modified by the commission during the three primary themes of the heritage area development of this management plan. were identified. These primary themes are then supported by sub-themes or stories that

Figure 6. Interpretive Themes Bring the Stories to Life

Adaptation and Survival: The Identity Through a Cultural Blend: Influence of the Water on the early settlers acquired living skills The region's identity evolved from Land and the People: Water is unique to the environment. a blend of many cultures. the distinctive influence on life in this area: through the ages it has created ever-changing landscapes, contributed to subtle and catastrophic natural events, and has been subjected to a long history of human manipulation; this relationship continues to evolve today through incraesed recreation and conservation efforts.

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Themes and Stories

CORE THEME: PEOPLE AND THE life expectancy. Each of these topics can also LAND be viewed in light of the processes of dynamic convergence and ongoing The overarching interpretive theme of the interaction within the heritage area. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is the entwined relationship between people and The natural environment, complex and the land. It highlights the many ways in enormous in its own right, is only one which residents of the region and the natural dimension, and it does not exist apart from environment are always interacting and human society and culture. Various people changing. Change in the Atchafalaya area have settled in the area over the centuries: occurs on many levels and in multiple Chitimacha, Houma, Attakapas, Tunica- dimensions, yet even a subtle and astute Biloxi, and Opelousas were followed by description of this vibrant process runs the Spaniards, French, Acadians, Africans, Scots, risk of freezing or distorting it. “Les Americains,” Germans, Haitians, Irish, Italians, Lebanese, Filipinos, and With nature as an initial point of departure, Vietnamese, to name but a few. Each group we begin by taking into account the region’s was itself transformed. The result is the rivers and bayous, its landmasses and process of creolization. wetlands, and also its climate. Certain waterways are especially noteworthy and Other influences—some particular to the important—the Mississippi River, region, others part of a larger mosaic— Atchafalaya River, Red River, Vermilion converged in the region playing significant River, Bayou Teche, Bayou Grosse Tete, roles in its development. The Louisiana Bayou Plaquemine, and Bayou Lafourche, Purchase, federal and state governments, among others. Each has its own story. Each trade networks, the Civil War, affects the others and each, to greater or industrialization, the Army Corps of lesser degree, impacts the entire area. Engineers, modern roads and automobiles, electric power, public education, and the oil The story of the land in the region is equally and gas industry have all shaped and large-scaled, complex, and interrelated. reshaped the region’s environment, its social Woodlands, floodplains, natural levees, fabric, and its ever changing cultural life. swamps, marshes, deltas, sediment, mineral deposits, and farmland are notable parts. This over-arching theme, by its very nature, Like the rivers, but in less obvious ways, establishes a broad framework. It is both each land component is one piece of an suggestive and inclusive. It also has specific intricate puzzle that constantly shifts, and particular meanings to the Atchafalaya changes, and influences the whole. National Heritage Area. The theme provides a panorama in which residents and diverse Similarly, the climate has a defining impact institutions can locate themselves and find a on the region. Subtropical conditions, heat role. Visitors can gain a better understanding and humidity, seasonal variations, periods of of this area as well as their own experiences drought and times of flooding, lengthy by exploring the ways in which this far- growing seasons—the consequences of these reaching theme unfolds in south-central many variables are subtle and immense. Louisiana.

While waterways, land, and climate are Butte LaRose Visitors Center on I-10 broad categories, there are also several more provides an overview of and an introduction narrowly confined sub-divisions: wildlife, to the heritage area. The Louisiana State habitats, plant life, flyways and migratory Museum in Baton Rouge with exhibits about patterns, mating and breeding cycles, food Louisiana’s history and cultures also helps chains and predation, diseases, health and put the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 101

CHAPTER FOUR: INTERPRETATION PLAN in the context of Louisiana and the United Stories States. The Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge provides an First Lessons from the Native Americans opportunity to experience the architectural Native Americans taught the newcomers history of the area and the state that is what to eat and how to survive in a new eco- interpreted by periodic living history system that they were unfamiliar with. This presentations. ranged from surviving hurricanes to determining which plants were edible or had healing properties or how to make shelters THEME 1 – ADAPTATION AND with palmettos. Examples of sites SURVIVAL interpreting this theme include the Tunica- Biloxi Tribal Museum and Cultural Center The early settlers acquired living skills unique in Marksville and the Chitimacha Cultural to the environment. Museum in Charenton.

This theme suggests certain values and Navigating the Swamp beliefs that guide daily lives and social interactions. Like everything else, these Residents learned from the Native values are constantly being reworked and Americans how to make solid wood dugouts redefined. They are products of an and adapted boats they knew for many embedded and vibrant culture as well as the special uses, including pirogues to move lived experiences of its inhabitants. At the through shallow waters, large and small same time, these hard-won and culturally fishing boats, ferries, and steamboats. The transmitted precepts are consistent with the boats of the Atchafalaya show ingenuity and broad-based value system that characterizes inventiveness in adapting to different our larger American society and culture. ecological niches.

Although the perimeter of the national Beyond the Law heritage area includes several cities— The isolation attracted some residents. Some Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Houma, and simply wanted to be left alone to live in Morgan City—the area is rural at its heart small, isolated communities, while others and sparsely settled. Many residents struggle sought refuge from the law, including to make ends meet. The region has long been runaway slave maroon communities. familiar with hard times, even when the economy prospered in other parts of the Different Ways of Living off the Land state and nation. Both small self-sufficient family Notwithstanding, economic adversities and entrepreneurs and large corporations have recurrent setbacks, residents are resourceful made a living off the land and water. They in meeting these challenges. A gritty and learned from the Native Americans how to earthy determination helps them to make do harvest the area’s bountiful wildlife (fish, under often trying circumstances. The crabs, frogs, and alligator) in addition to the people survived in spite of isolation and native plants (Spanish moss). On higher other challenges. ground in small farms and large plantations, they experimented with farming indigo and The hot, humid, and rugged wilderness later shifted to sugarcane. Later environment changes sometimes altered corporations harvested cypress. The ways in which residents made a livelihood. individual family might live in small isolated But it is not just the character of the communities, but they were always environment that determines such ingenuity connected to international markets. and resiliency.

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Examples of locations expressing this theme Islenos—are less obvious, but decidedly include The Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife present. Museum in Houma, where one can learn about living off the land and transportation; Stories Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, a unit of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Evolving Cultures and Creolization Preserve in Thibodaux, where one can see a Borrowings between these cultures create native plants garden; and Simmesport unusual intermixtures through the process Fishing Museum in Simmesport. Avery of creolization to create a new distinct Island/Tabasco presents the culture, culture of south Louisiana. Since the 19th agricultural practices, and the natural century, astute observers note that the environment. region is “South of the South.” It is also true that the region is north of the Caribbean. Many historic house museums interpret the The society transcends both descriptions, various historic periods and their related for it is a complicated fluctuating blend that cultural and agricultural practices including is unique in the world. Atchafalaya National Frogmore Plantation and Gins in Ferriday, Heritage Area cultures defy easy Grevemberg House Museum in Franklin, categorization because they are dynamic, Mount Hope Plantation in Baton Rouge, living phenomena. The Area presents a Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, paradox—the society functions as a Parlange Plantation in New Roads, Popular coherent whole, yet diverse cultures flourish Grove Plantation in Port Allen, Shadows on with it. The overall impression is one of the Teche in New Iberia, and Southdown contradictions. For example, the society is at Plantation in Houma. one and the same, welcoming to newcomers and suspicious of outsiders. In a similar way, Sickness and Health the cultures of the region are remarkably Disease and illness was an everyday concern inclusive, flexible, and adaptable. Yet the in early Louisiana, and the Atchafalaya was society has a history of group tensions, no exception. Families often had to cope by conflicts, and struggles. themselves and depended on herbal plants for healing or traiteurs or faith healers for Diversity: Evolving Cultures and some problems. Creolization This theme provides opportunities for an interpretation that is engaging, intriguing, THEME 2 – IDENTITY THROUGH A playful, and complex. Consider the ways in CULTURAL BLEND which inhabitants view the swamp itself. Some observers claim the swamp is a barrier, The region’s identity evolved from a blend of separating one part of the state from many cultures. another. Others maintain that the bayous

and streams provide residents with a means Over the centuries, many groups came to of transportation. Still others, that many Louisiana and settled in the Atchafalaya inhabitants were attracted to the swamp Basin area. These roots reach back to every because it was for them a refuge or haven part of the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, the from an even more hostile world. For Caribbean, Central America, Canada, the runaway enslaved Africans in the years Mid-West, Texas, and the Chesapeake. To before the Civil War, the swamp was a place outsiders, the impact of the Caribbean, of freedom where maroon communities France, Nova Scotia, and the American could take root. In other instances and South have been especially evident and under different circumstances, certain noteworthy. Other influences—American groups and individuals already marginal Indian, German, Italian, Filipino, and 103

CHAPTER FOUR: INTERPRETATION PLAN were pushed into the swamp because they festivals, and customs. Like the larger could not survive, economically or socially, culture, these cultural expressions are anywhere else. Effective interpretive dynamic, adaptable and internally complex. programming does not have to choose from Moreover, all these cultural expressions are any one of these alternatives. Instead it can firmly anchored in both time and place. present all the different viewpoints, perspectives, and options. Every diverse group constituting the area’s social and cultural fabric can be discovered Examples of locations expressing this theme within these cultural expressions. Consider include museums that focus on specific music. The French and Acadians cultural groups such as The River Road contributed the fiddle, the Germans the African American Museum in accordion, the Spanish the guitar, while both Donaldsonville, the Chitimacha Museum in Afro-Caribbean and European cultures Charenton and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal brought the triangle, washboard, and the Museum and Cultural Center in Marksville. spoon. Viewing music from a different Also, included are the St. Martinville perspective yields still another complex Cultural Heritage Center which highlights pattern, this one consisting of a variety of the Acadian history and culture, and the interrelated, but distinctive musical genres: Bayou Teche Museum in New Iberia, which Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop, blues, and focuses on the Spanish influence in the area. gospel. The musical art form can be interpreted in yet another way: performers, Imagined and Real Louisiana performance styles, original compositions, traditional folk melodies, arrangements, For some Americans, South Louisiana is an interactions of performers with their imagined place. For others, it is a pure and audiences and instruments. rarefied ideal. Popular American culture often paints this region in bold and colorful, The insights garnered from the area’s though homogeneous, colors. People who indigenous musical culture can be detected have never visited the Area have it served up in the region’s foodways and cuisine. Again, to them nonetheless. They eat gumbo at various South Louisiana ethnic and racial chain restaurants, listen to zydeco music, groups contribute to a hybrid cultural hold Mardi Gras parties in season, and tell expression that is unique, distinct, subject to Cajun jokes about Boudreaux and experiment and now widely imitated Thibodeaux. Even within the region there is through the nation. In the case of foodways, an inclination to freeze and fix the culture to American Indians contributed corn; Spanish a specific point in time and place. The and Afro-Caribbeans introduced tomatoes unintended consequence of these tendencies and hot peppers; French and Acadians can be caricature, rigidity, and death. This brought rice; enslaved Africans and poor theme differentiates between the real, the Anglo-Americans were known for making imagined, and the stereotyped. Rather than beans part of daily fare. The English are attempt to impose a purist definition or probably responsible for use of the turtle; promote a stereotypical product when and both Germans and Alsatians made beer exploring and presenting the culture, this popular. theme suggests a way that is both inclusive and flexible, and also sensible and Examples of the unique foodways, music discerning. and traditional crafts abound throughout the

heritage area. Some sites focus on a music Traditions and Lifeways genre such as the Delta Music Museum in These manifestations of the area’s culture Ferriday and the Cajun Music Hall of Fame constitute distinctive interpretive in Eunice. Other areas host festivals experiences: music, food, crafts, language including the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco and oral traditions, religious traditions, Festival. Religious traditions can be 104 Themes and Stories experienced through the area’s myriad of player in the area for close to two hundred churches and cemeteries, notably, St. Martin years. Established in 1802, the Corps de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, dramatically shaped and reshaped not only St. Philomena Catholic Church in the daily life of residents but also the Labadieville, and Holy Rosary Church in physical characteristics of the environment Houma. Foodways can be experienced itself. Consider the impact of Henry Shreve, through many festivals such as Cajun Food a captain in the Corps of Engineers during Fest in St. Mary Parish or the Spice and the 19th century, had on the area. Shreve Music festival in Opelousas, as well as a directed several regional projects for the multitude of restaurants throughout the Corps, the unintended long-term area. consequences of which: increased regional flooding; reduced cultivation of sugarcane; deposited immense amounts of silt; filled THEME 3 – INFLUENCE OF THE back swamps and lakes; formed deltas and WATER ON THE LAND AND THE built natural levees. The effects of the Flood PEOPLE of 1927 were the most dramatic. The flood devastated the area. Nearly every permanent Water is the distinctive influence on life in this structure was damaged or destroyed. Almost area: through the ages it has created ever- every resident evacuated. After the waters changing landscapes, contributed to subtle and subsided, the Corps constructed extensive catastrophic natural events, and has been levees and developed floodways. The subjected to a long history of human physical appearance of the Basin today is manipulation; this relationship continues to very much a product of the work done by evolve today through increased recreation and the Corps after the Flood of 1927. Other conservation efforts. Corps projects—construction of the Old River Control Structure in the 1960s and the Nature and the environment played prime Auxiliary Structure in the 1980s—have been roles through the history of the Atchafalaya impressive engineering feats that further National Heritage Area. This theme focuses defined the nature of the region. Indeed, it on the diverse ways in which many would not be too much to say that in this generations have tried to control nature area the natural environment is in large part while also attempting to turn a profit from it. “manmade” due to alterations made to the For centuries the Atchafalaya River and environment. Nevertheless, nature is swamp presented both residents of the stubborn and persistent, and, region and outsiders with a host of notwithstanding the Corps’ monumental challenges and opportunities. Over the efforts, in time nature may have its way. centuries, two issues have been especially important and recurrent: navigation of the Profiting from Nature river and flood control. The relationship of these two has not always been as apparent to Although the Corps has been a key player, past generations as it is to modern-day others also have had a hand in changing the area’s character. In the late 19th and early Americans. th 20 centuries, the lumber industry harvested vast numbers of cypress trees. In the early Stories part of the 20th century furniture Attempts to Control Nature manufacturers and the automobile industry gathered the area’s Spanish moss for use in The story of the Corps of Engineers is their products. In the 1930s the oil and gas entwined in the changes in the Atchafalaya industry began intensive work both in the Basin. In successive efforts to improve Atchafalaya Basin and offshore. Periodically, navigation and strengthen flood control, the the economy and population of Morgan City Army Corps of Engineers has been a key 105

CHAPTER FOUR: INTERPRETATION PLAN boomed as the commercial fish-processing kayak paddling, hiking, cycling, birding and industry, the old industry and the defense other wildlife watching. The terrain is flat, industry made it a regional headquarters. and the area’s lightly-traveled, paved rural Throughout the years in which large roads provide easy and safe cycling. Some of corporations and government agencies the best birding in the country is available sought to transform, control, and profit from for small groups and individuals or through nature, inhabitants were not passive organized bird counts. The climate is mild observers. They became the lumbermen, with subtropical weather throughout the fishermen, oil rig workers, shrimpers, year with an average rainfall of hunters and trappers, crabbers and approximately 54 inches. The bottomland industrial workers. Ever versatile and hardwood forests and mix of bayous, oxbow resilient, they too have seen the swamp as a lakes, sloughs and swamps create a diversity resource for living. of habitats important to a wide range of birds. The ideal habitat for alligators and Examples of locations expressing this theme other reptiles and amphibians, white-tailed include the Old River Control Structure in deer, beaver, otter, red fox and black bear Concordia Parish and Mr. Charlie Oil Rig make the area ideal for general wildlife Museum in Morgan City, where one can watching and photography year-round. walk through an oil rig. At the Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site, one can see a lock Some of the areas that have developed formerly used to access the Mississippi River programs for outdoor enthusiasts are Indian from Bayou Plaquemine. At the Cypress Bayou, Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, Sawmill Museum in Patterson one can see Atchafalaya and Bayou Teche National vintage logging and milling machinery and Wildlife Refuges, Sherburne Wildlife tools. Management Area and Lake Martin. Cypremort Point State Park, just a few miles Experiences from the Gulf of Mexico, offers a variety of outdoor options including picnicking, Variety of Recreational Natural fishing, crabbing, water skiing, windsurfing Resources and sailing. Many of these and other sites Special recreation opportunities exist due to offer camping and cabin lodging as well as the unrivaled natural resources of the canoeing and fishing. Atchafalaya. One of only a handful of actively growing river deltas in the world, the The paddling trails in the area are numerous Basin is approximately 150 miles in length and are also frequented by birders and with its width varying along the course of the hikers for the scenic and wildlife variety they Atchafalaya River. It is a complex and offer. Popular day and extended destinations unique river swamp eco-system, habitat to for these activities include Indian Bayou, more than 85 species of fish, 200 species of Bayou Teche, Henderson Lake, Lake Fausse birds, alligators, black bear and other Point, Lake Martin, Bayou LaFourche, wildlife. Comprised of bottomland Spring Bayou and Sherburne Wildlife hardwood forests, swamps, bayous and Management Areas, Flat Lake, Half Moon backwater lakes and marshes, it is an Bayou, Bayou Cocodrie, Two O’Clock exceptional illustration of river systems and Bayou and Pointe Chein. The Lafayette lakes, water control technology and recent Paddling Club and Bayou Haystackers geologic history. The area is home to seven Paddling Club organize weekly paddling national wildlife refuges. trips. The TECHE Project sponsors the fall Tour du Teche, a 130 mile canoe race on Non-Invasive Recreation and Ecotourism. Bayou Teche through 4 heritage area The area offers a multitude of opportunities parishes. to experience the outdoors through swamp and river tours, camping, pirogue, canoe or 106 Themes and Stories

Birding events include the Bayou Teche southern flounder, striped mullet, sea trout, Black Bear & Birding Festival, the Eagle cobia, king and Spanish mackerel. Marlin, Expo, Experience Atchafalaya Days, sailfish, swordfish, tuna, shark, snapper, Lafayette Hummingbird Day, Neotropical mutton, triggerfish, amberjack, hogfish, Songbird Tour, Wood Stork Day and others. redfish and sea bass are popular offshore Among the birding clubs are Baton Rouge finfish species. Audubon Society, Kids Who Bird, LA Birders Anonymous, LA Ornithological Other forms of seasonal, recreational Society and Terrebonne Bird Club. There saltwater fishing include cast-netting and are also several smaller, informal groups that trawling for shrimp and crab and harvesting meet regularly for trips and counts and serve oysters. The estuarine environment (the area as area ornithological resources. where salt and fresh water mix) is where oysters grow in abundance. Oysters can be Bicycling routes are established for a variety found naturally in dense aggregations called of skill levels for road, off-road and leisure reefs both in the intertidal and subtidal rides with lengths from 5.5 to 89 miles. environment. While a few routes are urban, most meander through the rural countryside from Hunting is a popular seasonal sport enjoyed Washington to Eunice to Sunset; St. by hunters on public lands. The Louisiana Martinville to Fausse Point or Franklin; New Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Iberia to Avery Island or St. Martinville; (LDWF) manages about 1.4 million acres of Houma to Cocodrie (coast) and many more. Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and Refuges throughout the state, many of which Sustainable Outdoor Recreation. A variety are in the Atchafalaya National Heritage of regulated hunting and fishing activities Area. These public lands consist of a wide can be enjoyed throughout the area. variety of habitat types. LDWF manages these lands and organizes deer hunts with One third of the state’s public freshwater the goals of setting quality examples of boat launches can be found in the heritage Louisiana habitats; insuring viability of these area. Among the freshwater fish populating lands' wildlife populations; and providing lakes and bayous are black, white, yellow the opportunity for quality outdoor and striped bass; bowfin; bream; buffalo; recreational (and commercial when drum; channel, blue and flathead catfish; compatible) experience. In addition it is not crappie, paddlefish, shad and sturgeon, all of uncommon for a family to have a hunting which are popular with fishermen. The camp on privately-owned land or on land Atchafalaya Basin, the Lake Verret-Palourde leased for that specific purpose. Area, the Lake Fausse Point-Dauterive Area, False River and Spanish Lake are favorite Turkey, migratory bird and waterfowl fishing destinations. including snipe, woodcock, teal, dove, duck and geese are popular prey, as are resident Recreational crawfishing using set nets or game and animals such as quail, rabbit, recreational wire traps is a popular seasonal squirrel and deer. Less traditional prey pastime and tied closely with cultural includes bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana), pig traditions. The several Wildlife Management frogs (Rana grylio), alligator, Alligator Areas encourage crawfishing as a family snapping turtles, Diamondback terrapins activity. and box turtles.

The several marinas located in the coastal Conservation of Natural Resources. parishes of the heritage area are frequented Conservation efforts are ongoing in the area for seasonal saltwater fishing. Common including threatened and endangered coastal species include black and red drum, species such as the ivory billed and red- 107

CHAPTER FOUR: INTERPRETATION PLAN cockaded woodpeckers, the Louisiana black National Estuary Program are but a few of bear, Louisiana pearl shell (mussel), sea the organizations that share the heritage turtles, gopher tortoise, ringed sawback area’s mission in conserving and protecting turtle, brown pelican, bald eagle, peregrine the resources. falcon, whooping crane, Eskimo curlew, piping plover, interior least tern, Bachman's Examples of locations supporting this theme warbler, West Indian manatee, Florida include Lake Fausse Point State Park, and panther, pallid sturgeon, gulf sturgeon, Cypremort Point State Park, where one can Attwater's greater prairie chicken, whales choose from several hiking and paddling and red wolf. Also important in conservation trails. Birding can be enjoyed at the US Army efforts are cypress forest and native Corp of Engineer’s Indian Bayou Area on the vegetation. Audubon Society Coastal western side of the Basin or one of several Initiative, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, loops of the America’s Wetland Birding Trail Sierra Club, Friends of Atchafalaya, in the area, including the Atchafalaya Loop, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, Louisiana Black Vermilion Loop, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Bear Coalition and Barataria – Terrebonne Loop.

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ISSUES AND NEEDS RELATED TO CURRENT INTERPRETATION

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS • The story of how water has influenced the land and the people, the important The many organizations involved with story of resource extraction and interpretation within the heritage area attempts to control nature are not address a wide variety of topics, cultures and currently told in a complete or cohesive periods of history and employ a variety of manner and provides a key opportunity interpretive methods. These groups include to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of volunteer organizations, as well as state and Engineers, the Louisiana Department of local museums, private historic sites, Natural Resources, industrial environmental centers, and organizers of organizations, and conservation special cultural events and activities. They organizations to tell these stories. Some include units of Jean Lafitte National interpretive resources related to Historic Park and Preserve (Acadian “controlling nature” include the Old Cultural Center and Prairie Acadian Cultural River Control Structure and the Center), state organizations such as the Cypress Sawmill Museum. The Louisiana Division of the Arts Folklife potential opportunity for a regional U.S. Program, state sites such as the Placquemine Army Corps of Engineers interpretive Lock State Historic Site and Marksville center within the heritage area, focused Prehistoric Indian Site, a variety of federal on the Atchafalaya Floodway, would and state wildlife preserves and management provide an opportunity to share a key areas, and many private historic sites. (For a part of the interpretive story of the area. more detailed inventory, see Appendix B: Various state parks and wildlife areas as Resource Theme Matrix.) well as birding events highlight

recreational opportunities as ways to These public and private organizations form explore natural resources. a strong base for building the interpretive strategy and expanding interpretation throughout the heritage area to communicate the national and regional IDENTIFYING INTERPRETIVE MEDIA significance of the region’s resources. TO REACH HERITAGE AREA • The interpretation of the survival and AUDIENCES adaptation theme is addressed through Defining audience groups and indentifying sites such as the Chitimacha Cultural communication strategies ensures that Museum and the virtual Creole State successful relationships are built between Exhibit. the people and the resources of the • The cultural blend of the region is only Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. Six partially interpreted. The Acadian primary audiences are identified: school Cultural Center and Prairie Acadian groups, recreational users, subsistence users, Cultural Center and other sites interpret passive tourists, heritage tourists, and history of the Acadians, while the residents. These audience groups are the contributions of other groups are not as primary focus of interpretive themes and well known; this could provide messages of the heritage area. opportunities for enhanced interpretation.

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School Groups Heritage Tourists Youth and school groups (K-12) are one of Heritage tourists are a growing trend within the targeted audiences for interpretive the tourism industry. This audience is programming and educational outreach primarily interested in cultural resources within the Atchafalaya National Heritage such as historic architecture, traditions, and Area. Field trips, immersive experiences, and folklife. These audiences are generally well group excursions to the heritage area create informed and center their visitor experience an opportunity for this audience to engage on specific resources and places. directly with the tangible resources in order Opportunities to engage this audience with to understand the intangible themes. Off-site the heritage area’s interpretive themes focus interpretive experiences that take place on historic sites, museums, and cultural online and a web-based educational events. experience that exposes school groups to the heritage area is another strategy for Other Tourists effectively reaching this audience. Pass-through tourists are a significant audience for the interpretive programs Recreational Users within the Atchafalaya National Heritage Targeting recreation users of the heritage Area. Tourism is a vital part of the Louisiana area provides an opportunity to increase economy and the Louisiana Department of appreciation for natural resources and foster Culture, Recreation, and Tourism is an a sense of stewardship for the ecology of the important partner in reaching this audience. area. Waysides, interpretive kiosks, regional Strategically providing information at maps, trails, and paddling routes are all welcome and visitor centers throughout the critical interpretive tools for reaching this state, creating brochures and regional maps, audience and connecting them to the developing a wayfinding sign program, and resources as well as the themes of the having a strong internet presence are all heritage area. Online interpretive strategies for exposing this large audience opportunities are another important strategy group to the interpretive themes and for connecting recreational users to the resources of Atchafalaya. interpretive themes of Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. Residents

Local residents within and around the Subsistence Users Atchafalaya National Heritage Area make up The continuing yet changing use of the a critically important audience group. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area by Providing programs for resident audiences subsistence users is a central interpretive to gain a better understanding of the heritage theme, so engaging this audience group is an area and its interpretive goals creates a important step in the success of interpretive positive impact on local communities. efforts. Likewise, supporting sustainable Interpretive efforts for this group include cultural economic development is a primary promoting authentic events and encouraging goal of the heritage area. Creating involvement with partners. Interpretive meaningful interactions between local efforts that focus on residents can foster subsistence users and other audiences will local pride, build community support, and better connect both groups to the resources develop lasting partnerships between of Atchafalaya. Local festivals and events like community groups. Often these residents are Experience Atchafalaya Days are the first point of contact many outside implementation strategies that foster visitors have with the heritage area. By interaction. creating a greater appreciation for the role of the heritage area and its interpretive mission,

110 Issues and Needs Related to Current Interpretation local communities and residents are overall implementation goals of the empowered. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. Linking the intangible themes of the heritage area to Audience, Theme, and tangible interpretive services as well as Implementation Goals Matrix implementation goals provides insights into how audiences will engage and connect to The audience, theme, and interpretive local resources. This connection is services matrix in the following table fundamental to the success of the heritage provides a greater understanding of the area in meeting its goals and ensures that the relationship between these audience groups, unique values and interpretative themes the primary interpretive themes, and how reach their target audiences various interpretive services relate to the

Table 7. Audiences, Themes, and Implementation Goals

Theme 1: Adaptation and Survival

Enhance Support Increase Cultural Increase Natural Interpretation & Sustainable Resource Resource Awareness Cultural Economic Appreciation Appreciation Development

• Maintain • Field trips for K- • Field Trips for K- education 12 12 content on School website Groups • Consult schools on curriculum needs

• Develop • Assist NHA • Develop and • Paddling& trail educational communities in promote cultural opportunities wayside & kiosk identifying activities related • Birding • Provide funding sources to music, food, opportunities and other ethnic identity adequate way • Develop new finding (maps, resources for Recreational developing bike & itineraries, boardwalks Users signage) interpretive and recreational • Work with LA products Byways on interpretive. signage and Audience

programs

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CHAPTER FOUR: INTERPRETATION PLAN

• Experience • Promote • Develop and • Increase Atchafalaya Atchafalaya promote cultural recreational Days promotion development activities related access Subsistence • zone tax credit to music, food, Users Develop educational programs ethnic identity waysides & kiosks

• Provide • Develop • Develop and • Develop & information at directory of local promote cultural promote visitor centers artisans & crafts activities related opportunities to Heritage • Develop people to music, food, explore nature & Tourists educational ethnic identity outdoors that waysides & emphasize links kiosks between nature & survival

• Provide • Feature artisan • Provide • Provide information at spotlights on adequate way adequate way visitor centers web site finding (maps, finding (maps, • Develop • Develop itineraries, signs) itineraries, signs) Other educational directory of local • Work with LA • Work with LA Tourists waysides & artisans & crafts Byways on Byways on kiosks people interpretive interpretive • Link to state signs signs tourism events

udience udience calendar A

• Promote • Assist NHA • Assist NHA • Assist NHA Experience communities in communities in communities in Atchafalaya identifying identifying identifying Days funding sources funding sources funding sources • Develop events and other and other and other resources for resources for resources for Residents calendar on website developing developing developing interpretive and interpretive and interpretive and recreational recreational recreational products products products

112 Issues and Needs Related to Current Interpretation

Theme 2: Identity Through a Cultural Blend

Support Enhance Increase Cultural Increase Natural Sustainable Interpretation & Resource Resource Cultural Economic Awareness Appreciation Appreciation Development

• Maintain • Engage local • Add youth- • Add youth- educational artisans / interest events interest events content on traditional to Experience to Experience School website craftspeople into Atchafalaya Atchafalaya Groups • Traveling educational Days Days exhibits programs • Field trips for K- • Field trips for K- programs 12 12

• Develop • Encourage local • Interp. signs & • Develop paddle educational outfitters & waysides on & trail wayside & kiosk recreational trails opportunities • Provide businesses highlighting adequate way • Provide small cultural history Recreational finding tools business Users (maps, resources itineraries, education signage) • Provide training on authentic interpretation

• Develop • Increase variety educational of Experience wayside signage Atchafalaya • Provide training Days events Subsistence on authentic • Develop Users interpretation to Certified partners Louisiana Product program & udience udience brand A

• Provide • Promote local • Develop online • Promote events Information at heritage based itinerary that connect the Visitor Centers attractions on programs cultural • Develop website centered on resources with Heritage educational cultural the natural Tourists wayside signage activities: music, resources food, ethnic • Continue identity Traveling • exhibits and Highlight NHR develop listed sites

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CHAPTER FOUR: INTERPRETATION PLAN

permanent • Encourage exhibit appreciation of • Provide training cultural on authentic landscapes interpretation

• Provide • Develop local • Encourage • Promote events Information at business appreciation of that connect the Visitor Centers guidebook cultural cultural Other • Provide training • Develop certified landscapes resources with Tourists on authentic Louisiana the natural interpretation products resources program & brand

• Increase variety • Promote • Promote NHR • Promote events of Experience heritage & listings in NHA that connect the Atchafalaya nature based communities cultural Days events entrepreneurs • Assess gaps in resources with (outfitters, etc.) folklife database the natural • Develop local & identify resources business tradition-bearers guidebook in communities • Develop certified Residents Louisiana products program & brand • Provide toolkit workshops for entrepreneurs • Promote tax Audience

credit program

Theme 3: Influence of the Water on the Land and People

Enhance Support Increase Cultural Increase Natural Interpretation & Sustainable Resource Resource Awareness Cultural Economic Appreciation Appreciation Development

• Field Trips for K- • Promote existing • Add youth- • Implement 12 youth programs interest events experiential • Maintain & exhibits to Experience learning educational Atchafalaya opportunities School content on Days (citizen science Groups website • Field trips for programs) K-12 • Continue support of youth conservation efforts such as 114 Issues and Needs Related to Current Interpretation

Boy Scouts’ project

• Availability of • Encourage local • Develop • Develop regional maps outfitters & educational educational • Develop recreational wayside & kiosk wayside & kiosks educational businesses • Provide • Provide Recreational wayside signage adequate way adequate way Users • Provide finding (maps, finding information on itineraries, • Continue to outdoor signage) partner with recreational groups for trail opportunities development

• Provide • Promote events • Promote access information on that connect the to other agency outdoor cultural information: Subsistence recreational resources with DNR, USACE, Users opportunities the natural State Parks,

Audience Audience • Promote public resources USFW, Audubon lands use Society, Friends of Atchafalaya

• Provide • Promote events • Promote events information at that connect the that connect the Heritage visitor centers cultural cultural Tourists • Develop resources with resources with educational the natural the natural resources resources wayside signs

• Provide • Provide • Provide information at information at information at Other visitor centers visitor centers visitor centers Tourists • Develop • Develop • Develop educational educational educational wayside signage wayside signage wayside signage

• Provide access • Develop certified • Work with • Expand outdoor to information Louisiana partners to recreational on website products develop byways opportunities program & • Encourage • Continue to brand Staycations, partner with • Provide toolkit "Your Own groups for trail workshops for Backyard" development Residents entrepreneurs programs • Encourage • Promote tax Staycations, credit program "Your Own • Promote Backyard" heritage & programs nature based • Develop and/or entrepreneurs support litter

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(outfitters, etc.) abatement programs

116

HERITAGE AREA RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION identifies resources that have good integrity and are developing opportunities to express As noted in the discussion of themes the themes of the heritage area. “Not intact” previously, there is a wealth of resources resources lack integrity but contribute to the within the heritage area. For example, 360 overall context of the heritage area’s themes. properties located with the heritage area are Identifying the integrity of resources listed in the National Historic Register of documents and creates valuable information Historic Places. Also, there are several state on the interpretive opportunities that exist parks and wildlife refuges that provide with the heritage area. For heritage related opportunities to experience the wide array festivals and events, those that have a long, of plant and animal life. Many of these continuous history and are expected to be resources are described in more detail in on-going were rated as largely intact, while “Chapter 6: The Affected Environment” in newer events or those with little continuity volume two. Many of the heritage area were rated as lacking integrity. Events that resources also have been included in fell in-between the above categories were Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix which rated as somewhat intact. includes the applicable interpretive theme, level of integrity, ease of access, visitor value, Review of resource information across the and resource type. This table is organized by heritage area finds parish representatives parish; it is included as an appendix, as it is reporting a range of conditions related to the quite extensive. integrity of resources; the majority however, were rated as being largely intact.

RESOURCE THEME MATRIX Access The Resource Theme Matrix (appendix B) Access addresses the ability of visitors to identifies and defines the relationship safely find, visit, and experience the between specific resources and primary resource. This topic includes getting to and themes within the Atchafalaya National from the site: easy to reach, challenging to Heritage Area. Relating tangible resources to reach, and difficult to reach. Key elements of intangible themes helps identify locations these levels of access include roads where interpretive themes can come alive. conditions, the presence of directional signs Along with identifying themes and resource and parking, and ADA accessibility. types, this matrix also addresses resource Understanding how accessible these integrity, access, visitor value, and phasing. resources are for visitors provides insights All of these play a vital role in achieving into the resource’s ability to contribute to interpretive goals and creating a meaningful the overall interpretive goals of the heritage visitor experience. area.

Integrity Given the large scale of the heritage area and Resource integrity records how intact and the transportation challenges created by operational each listed resource is within the various swamps and other bodies of water, Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. access to resources varies across the region “Largely intact” identifies sites that have from easy to reach to difficult to reach. Most excellent integrity and clearly express the of the resources are rated as easy to reach or themes they embody. “Somewhat intact” challenging to reach. 117

Visitor Value Visitor value addresses the spectrum of visitation and types of participation level available at a resource. The broad-to-specific audience attraction of a resource identifies the level of interpretation and understanding that might be needed in order for visitors to full understand and appreciate the resource. The more specialized the attraction is, the greater the existing visitor knowledge of that resource and its values is. Understanding this spectrum is important in meeting the interpretative needs of different audience groups.

118

Table 8. Resource Theme Matrix Sample – Full Matrix is in Appendix B

119

APPENDIXES, REFERENCES, PREPARERS AND CONSULTANTS

120 Appendixes

Top Left: Wild Hibiscus, Iberville Parish Top: Vegetable Man, Ascension Parish Above: Sherbin Collette and Wife, Henderson Swamp, St. Martin Parish Photo Credits: Gene Seneca

Back of divider

122

APPENDIX A: LEGISLATION

123

APPENDIXES

124 Appendix A: Legislation

125

APPENDIXES

126 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

127

APPENDIX B: RESOURCE THEME MATRIX

The following pages contain the resource matrix for the 14 parishes in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area.

128

Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: Ascension Parish Theme Integrity Access Visitor Value Resource Type

Resource Name Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Enthusiast Attraction Spanish Lake X X X X X Ascension Parish Courthouse X X X X X Ascension Veteran's Memorial Park X X X X Ashland-Belle Helene Plantation* X X X X X Bittersweet Plantation X X X X X Bocage Plantation X X X X X Boucherie Festival X X X X X Cajun Village Fall Fest X X X X X Church of the Ascension of Our Lord X X X X X

129

APPENDIXES

Donaldsonville Downtown Dev. District X X X X X Evan Hall Slave Cabins* X X X X X X Helvetia Dependency* X X X X X Hermitage Plantation* X X X X X Historic Donaldsonville District * X X X X X Historic Fort Butler Commemorative Site* X X X X X Houmas House Plantation and Gardens* X X X X X Jambalaya Festival X X X X X Juneteenth Freedom Festival X X X X X LA 22 and 51 Scenic Byway X X X X X Landry Tomb X X X X X Lemann Store X X X X X Mulberry Grove X X X X X Palo Alto Dependency* X X X X X Palo Alto Plantation X X X X X River Road African American Museum X X X X X Rome Home * X X X X X St. Emma Plantation X X X X X St. Joseph's School X X X X X Sunshine Festival X X X X X Swamp Pop Music Festival X X X X X Tee Joe Gonzales Museum X X X X X The Cabin X X X X X The Cajun Village X X X X X Historic Donaldsonville Museum X X X X X Robert Penn Warren House* X X X X X

130 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Great River Road X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

131

APPENDIXES

Location: Assumption Parish Themes Integrity Access Visitor Value Resource Type

Resource Name Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Enthusiast Attraction Allons Manger Festival X X X X X Assumption Parish Courthouse and Jail* X X X X X Bayou L'Ourse Nature Trail X X X X X Bayouside Golf Course X X X X X Belle Alliance* X X X X X Belle River Christmas Boat Parade X X X X X X Christ Episcopal Church and Cemetery* X X X X X Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary* X X X X X

132 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Elm Hall Wildlife Management Area X X X X Glenwood Sugar Mill X X X X X Lake Verret X X X X X Madewood* X X X X X Madewood Christmas Heritage X X X X X Madewood Plantation X X X X Numerous Shell Middens, various sites X X X St. Elizabeth Catholic Church X X X X X St. Philomena Catholic Church and Rectory* X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

133

APPENDIXES

Location: Avoyelles Parish Themes Integrity Access Visitor Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Adam Ponthieu Store/ Post Office Museum X X X X Alfred H. Bordelon House X X X X Avoyelles Farm Festival X X X Bailey Hotel X X X X Bailey Theater Site (building destroyed) X X X Bayou Rouge Baptist Church X X X Bordelonville Floodgate X X X X Brouillette Lock and Dam X X X X Calliham Plantation House X X X X Central Bank & Trust X X X X X

134 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Christmas on the Bayou X X X X X Clarendon Plantation House Site (private) X X X X X Cochon de Lait Festival X X X X X Colonial Trails Scenic Byway X X X X X X Cottonport Museum X X X X X X Dr. Jules Charles des Fosse X X X X X Dr. Thomas A Roy House X X X X X Fort de Russy Civil War Site X X X X X Fort No. 2 at Yellow Bayou X X X X X Frithland X X X X X Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge X X X X X Grassy Lake X X X X X HWY 362 X X X X X Hypolite Bordelon House X X X X X X Joffrion House X X X X X LA Corn Festival X X X X X Lacour's Fish & Ice Company Building Site (building gone) X X X X Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge X X X X X Lone Pine House X X X X X Louisiana Railway & Navigation Company Depot X X X X X Marksville Historic District X X X X Marksville Prehistoric Indian Site X X X X X Moreauville High School X X X X X Oak Hall X X X X X Oakwold Plantation House X X X X X Old River X X X X X

135

APPENDIXES

Pomme De Terre X X X X X Sarto Bridge X X X X X Scenic Bayou Rouge X X X X X Spring Bayou National Wildlife Refuge X X X X X St. Mary's Assumption Church X X X X X St. Paul Lutheran Church X X X X X Texas and Pacific Railroad Depot X X X X X Thomas A Lemoine House X X X X X Tunica Biloxi Pow-Wow X X X X X X Tunica-Biloxi Reservation X X X X X X Tunica-Biloxi Education & Cultural Resource Center X X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

136 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: Concordia Parish Visitor Themes Integrity Access Value Resource Type

Resource Name Broad Attraction Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Bayou Cocodrie X X X X X X Bienville Trace X X X X X X X X X X X Canebrake* (privately owned/tour by appointment) X X X X X Concordia Parish Courthouse* and Library X X X X X X Concordia Wildlife Refuge with hunting, fishing X X X X X X X X X X X X Delta Music Museum and Arcade Theater X X X X X X X X X DePrato Mounds* X X X X X X X Ferriday Commercial Historic District* X X X X X X X X X X Frogmore Cotton Gin (originally Piazza Cotton Gin)* X X X X X X X X X

137

APPENDIXES

Colonial Trail Scenic Byway X X X X X X X X X Frogmore Plantation & Gins X X X X X X X X X X X Gillespie X X X X X X X X X X X HWY 84 – El Camino Historic National East / West Corridor X X X X X X X X X Killarney* (privately owned; tour by appointment) X X X X X X Lisburn Plantation House* (privately owned; tour by appointment only) X X X X X X Old River Control Structure - USACE*/Hydro Electric X X X X X X X X X X Red River X X X X X X Roseland Plantation X X Sheriff Campbell Home Site (structure burned)* X X Tacony Plantation House * ( privately owned; tour by appointment only) X X X X X X Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area X X X X X X X Vidalia Riverfront Landing X X X X X X X X X Zappe Boarding House* (privately owned) X X X X X X X Lewis Family Museum X X X X X X Monteray Community X X X X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

138 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: East Baton Rouge Parish Visitor Themes Integrity Access Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest / Natural Resource State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Adams House* X X Armor Building – Old Arsenal Museum X X X X X Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge X X X X X Audubon Plantation House* X X Baker Heritage Museum-Cushman House* X X X X Baker Leland College X X Baker Presbyterian Church X X Barthel Pigeonnier* X X X Baton Rouge High School* (under construction) X X X X

139

APPENDIXES

Baton Rouge Junior High X X Baton Rouge National Cemetery X X Baton Rouge Waterworks Company - Sandpipe X X X X X Beauregard Town* X X X X X X Belisle Building* X X Blackwater Conservation Area X X Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center X X X X X BREC - LSU Highland Road Park Observatory X X X X X X Broussard House* X X Central Fire Station* X X City Park Golf Course* X X X X X The Shaw Center for the Arts X X X X X Cushman House* X X Downtown Development Historic District X X X Drehr Place Historic District* X X X Dufrocq School* X X X X East Main Street Historic District X X X Enchanted Mansion Doll Museum X X X X X Fairhaven Plantation House* X X Florence Coffee Shop* X X Fort Bute on Bayou Manchac X X X Fort New Richmond X X X Fort San Carlos X X X French House X X Fuqua Hardware Store X X Garden District X X X X X Gracelane Plantation House* X X

140 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Greater Baton Rouge State Fair X X X X X Hart House* X X X Hilton Capitol Center Hotel* X X X X X The Stockade Bed and Breakfast* X X X X X Hilltop Arboretum X X X X X Historic Highland Road X X X X X X Huey Long Gravesite X X X X X Independence Park Botanical Gardens X X X X X Indian Mound, State Capitol Grounds X X X X X Jared Young Sanders Jr. House* X X Joseph Petitpierre-Kleinpeter House* X X Kleinert Terrace Historic District* X X X Kleinpeter House* X X Knox Building* X X Louisiana Arts & Science Museum and Planetarium* X X X X X X Laurens Henry Cohn St. Memorial Plant Arboretum* X X Les Chenes Vert, Highland Road* X X Levy Hay Warehouse X X Longwood House* X X X X X Louisiana Mud Painting X X X X Louisiana Old State Capitol X X X X X Louisiana State Archives X X X X X Louisiana State Capitol X X X X X X X Louisiana State Museum X X X X X Louisiana State University X X X X X LSU Museum of Art X X X X X LSU Campus Mounds* X X X X X

141

APPENDIXES

LSU Hill Memorial Library X X LSU Historic District X X X LSU Museum of Natural Science X X LSU Museum of Natural Science - Louisiana Wildlife X X X X LSU Rural Life Museum X X X X X X LSU Textile Museum & Costume Gallery X X X X X LSU Tiger Stadium - Huey Long History X X X X X Magnalia Mound Market Days Festival X X Magnolia Cemetery* X X X X X Magnolia Mound Plantation* X X X X X Main Street Historic District* X X X Manship House* X X McKinley High School* X X Mount Hope Plantation House* X X X X X Mount Hope Plantation X X Navy Awareness Day X X Nicholson School* X X Old Louisiana Governor's Mansion* X X X X X X X Old Post Office* X X Ory House* X X Pecue House* X X Pentagon Barracks* X X X X X Pentagon Barracks Museum X X Planter's Cabin* X X Port of Baton Rouge X X X X Potts House* X X Prince Hall Masonic Temple* X X Raymond House* X X

142 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Reiley-Reeves House* X X Roseland Terrace Historic District* X X X Roumain Building* X X X X X Burden Center & Rural Life Museum X X Santa Maria Plantation House* X X Sara Peralta Archaeological Site* X X Scott Street School* X X Southern University Archives Building* X X Southern University Historic District* X X X X Spanish Town* X X X X X St. James Episcopal Church* X X X X X St. Joseph Cathedral* X X X X X Standard Oil Co /Exxon X X X X Stewart-Dougherty House* X X Tessier Building* X X The French House X X US Civil War Center X X USS Kidd* X X X X X X United States Barracks* X X X US Post Office X X Warden's House* X X Welsh-Levy Building* X X X X X Winans, Fenville Studio*(not open to the public) X X Windrush Gardens X X X X X Yazoo & Missippi Valley Railroad* X X X X Zachary Fairhaven Plantation House X X Port Hudson National Cemetery X X X X X Port Hudson State Historic Site* X X X X X

143

APPENDIXES

Zachary Railroad Depot.* X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

144 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: Iberia Parish Visitor Themes Integrity Access Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Alice Plantation* X x x x X America's Wetland Birding Trail Atchafalya Loop X x x x X Antique Rose Ville X x x x X August Angler's Addition Fishing Tournament X x x x X Avery Island X x x x X Bayou Petite Anse X x x x X Bayou Teche X x x x X Bayou Teche X x x x X Bayou Teche Museum X x x x X

145

APPENDIXES

Bayou Teche Scenic Byway X x x x X Bayside Plantation * X x x x X Brudley's Wild Game, Seafood, and Jambalaya Cook-Off X x x x X Cajun -French Music Festival X x x x X Cajun Hot Sauce Festival X x x x X Conrad Rice Mill* X x x x X Cypremort Point State Park X x x x X Delcambre Canal X x x x X Delcambre Docks X x x x X Delcambre Shrimp Festival X x x x X Dulcito Plantation House* X x x x X Enterprise Plantation* X X x x x X Episcopal Church of the Epiphany* X x x x X Auguste Erath Building* X x x x X Essane Theater X x x x X Evangeline Theater* X x x x X Festival of Live Oaks X x x x X First United Methodist Church* X x x x X 4th of July Fishing Rodeo X x x x X Gulf of Mexico X x x x X Hewes House* X x x x X Jean Lafitte Scenic Byway X x x x X Jeanerette Sugar Museum X x x x X Jefferson Island X X x x x X X Jungle Gardens of Avery Island X X x x x X Labor Day Fishing Rodeo X x x x X Lake Dauterive X x x x X Lake Fausse Pointe State Park X x x x X

146 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Lake Peigneur X X x x x X X Laotian New Year Celebration X x x x X LeJeune's Bakery* X x x x X Louisiana Sugarcane Festival and Fair X x x x X Lutzenberger Foundry & Pattern Shop* X x x x X Lydia Cajun Food Fest X x x x X Mardi Gras parades X x x x X Marsh Island Wildlife Refuge X x x x X Mintmere* X x x x X New Iberia X x x x X New Iberia City Park X x x x X New Iberia Downtown Art Walk X x x x X New Iberia Downtown Commercial Historic District X X x x x X New Iberia High School* X x x x X New Iberia Downtown Historic / Cultural District X x x x X New Iberia Residential District* X X x x x X New Iberia Shipwreck Bayou Teche X x x x X New Iberia West End Historic / Cultural District X x x x X Olivier Plantation Store* X x x x X Pascal Building* X x x x X People's National Bank (Poncio's)* X x x x X Rip Van Winkle Gardens of Jefferson Island X x x x X Romero Andrew House* X x x x X Shadows Civil War Encampment X x x x X Shadows-on-the-Teche* X X x x x X X Shell Keys X x x x X

147

APPENDIXES

Silman Theater for the Performing Arts X x x x X Southern Pacific Railroad Depot* X x x x X Spanish Lake X x x x X Steamboat House* X x x x X TABASCO Factory X X x x x X X Taylor Drugstore* X x x x x X Magnolias* X x x x X Top Road Big Bass Classic X x x x X Vermillion Bay X x x x X Vida Shaw Bridge X x x x X Weeks Island X x x x X William Johnson Jazz Collection Room X x x x X World Championship Gumbo Cook-off X x x x X Wormser's Department Store* X x x x X

National Register of Historic Places*

148 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: Iberville Parish Visitor Themes Integrity Access Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest / Natural Resource State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Andrew H Gay House* X X X X X Arrival of Evangeline on Bayou Plaquemine X X X X X Atchafalaya National Wildlife Preserve - Whiskey Bay X X X X X X Bagatelle Plantation House* X X X X X Bayou Mccauley Cemetery X X X X Bayou Plaquemine and US Government Lock* X X X X X X X Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park X X X X Brustle Building X X X X X

149

APPENDIXES

Carville Hansen's National Disaster Center X X X X X X Carville Historic District* X X Carville Roberto's Restaurant X X X X Christmas at LaCroix Road X X Church of Immaculate Conception X X Church of the Nativity X X Cora Texas Manufacturing X X Desobry Building* X X Homestead Plantation House* X X Iberville Museum X X Iberville Parish Courthouse* X X Iberville Welcome Center (Old Fire Station) X X X X X Iberville Welcome Center on Bayou Grosse Tete X X X X X Indian Mound X X X X X International Acadian Festival X X X X X July 4th Persimmon Crawl Races X X X X X X Krewe of Maringouin Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Live Oaks Plantation* X X X X X Lucky Plantation House* X X X X X Nottoway Plantation* X X X X X Nottoway Plantation Christmas Candlelight Tour X X X X X Nottoway Plantation House X X X X X Old Homes of Turnerville Plaquemine X X X X X Plaquemine X X X X X Plaquemine Christmas Festival X X X X X Plaquemine City Hall X X X X X

150 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Plaquemine Deport Market X X X X X X Plaquemine High School* X X X X X Plaquemine Historic District* X X X X X Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site X X X X X X Rivet, Pierre Ernest House X X X X X Schexnayder House* X X X X X St. Basil's Academy* X X X X X St. Gabriel Church, Roman Catholic* X X X X X St. John Baptist Church* X X X X X St John Catholic Church* X X X X X St. Louis Plantation* X X X X X X St. Raphael Cemetery X X X X X J. Supple's Sons Mercantile Company* X X X X X Tally-Ho Plantation House* X X X X X The Antique Hearse X X X X X The Last Wilderness X X X X X Trinity* X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

151

APPENDIXES

Location: Lafayette Parish Visitor Themes Integrity Access Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Acadian Village X X X X X X Acadian Cultural Center X X X X X Acadiana Center for the Arts X X X X X X Acadiana Park Nature Station X X Alesia House* X X Alexandre Latiolais House* X X Andre' Billeaud House* X X Brandt House* X X Carenco Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Carencro County Christmas X X X X X Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist X X X X X

152 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Children's Museum of Acadiana X X X X X Chorale Acadienne's Christmas by Candlelight Concert X X X X Christmas at the Alexandre Mouton House X X X X Christmas at Vermilionville X X X X Comeaux House* X X Daigle House, Revillon House* X X Ducrest Building* X X Dupleix House* X X Elrose* X X Evangeline Hotel* X X Festival International de Louisiane X X X X X Festival of Light X X X X Festivals Acadiens et Creoles X X X X Festivals des Fleurs de Louisiane X X X X First United Methodist Church* X X X X X Gordon Hotel* X X Holy Rosary Institute* X X X Hope Lodge # 145* X X J.Arthur Roy House* X X Janin Store* X X Jean Lafitte National Park - Acadian Cultural Center X X X X X X X X Lafayette Hardware Store* X Lafayette Natural History Museum and Planetarium X X X X X Lafayette Elementary School* X X Le Cajun Festival Music Awards X X X X

153

APPENDIXES

Louisiana Immersive Technology Enterprise X X X X Main Street Historic District X X X X X X X Mardi Gras Parades X X Martial Billeaud Jr House* X X Mouton, Alexandre House / Lafayette Museum X X X X X X Charles H. Mouton House* X X Noel Acadien au Village X X X X X X X Old Guaranty Bank Building* X X Old Lafayette City Hall* X X Our Lady of the Assumption School* X X X Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum X X X X Roy-Leblanc House* X X Salles Residence and Office* X X Sidney Martin House* X X St. Cecilia School* X X X St. John's Cathedral* X X X X X X X St. Julien House* X X St. Peters Catholic Church X X X Sterling Grove Historic District* X X USGS National Wetlands Research Center X X Valsin Broussard House* X X Vermilionville X X X X X X X Vermillion Inn* X X Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

154 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: Pointe Coupee Parish Themes Integrity Access Visitor Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area / Natural Resource State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Mon Coeur (Valerien Bergeron House) X X X X X 1st National Bank Building X X X X X 1st United Methodist Church X X X X X Albin Major House* X X X X X Allen Ramsey Wurtele Grave on False River at Pointe Coupee Museum X X X X X X Alma Plantation & Sugar Mill X X X X X X Alma Plantation Quarters and Archeological Site X X X X X Annual Blessing of the Boats X X X X X Austerlitz Plantation House* X X X X X

155

APPENDIXES

Battle of Stirling's Plantation (Civil War Site) X X X X X Bayou Grosse Tete Flood Protection Levees X X X X X X Bella Vista Plantation X X X X X Belvue Plantation X X X X X Bergeron Pecan Company X X X X X Site of Birthplace of General John Archer Lejeune X X X X X X Bonnie Glen Plantation House* X X X X X Candlelight Walking Tour X X X X X Chenal Cemetery X X X X X Cherie Quarters Cabin & Cemetery* X X X X X Confederate Monument at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church X X X X X Cottonseed Oil Mill X X X X X Cottonwood Cemetery X X X X X Dreyfus House X X X X X Dreyfus Store X X X X X X El Dorado Plantation House* X X X X X False River Bayou Grosse Tete Drainage Canal X X X X X False River Crevasse Splay Channels X X X X X Fannie Riche House - Arch. Site # 16PC81 X X X X X General John A Lejeune Statue X X X X X X General Lafayette Concession Lands X X X X X Glynnwood Plantation House X X X X X Graugnard - Richy Building X X X X X Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lakeland X X X X X

156 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Immaculate Conception Church Fair X X X X X Jacque Dupre House X X X X X James Ryder Randall Oak and Monument, and site of Poydras College X X X X X X Jarreau Camp Houses X X X X X Jean Baptiste Bergeron House X X X X X Julien Poydras Grave and Monument X X X X X X Julien Poydras Museum & Arts Center X X X X X X X Labatut Plantation House X X X X X Lakeside Plantation House X X X X X Langlois Oak X X X X X X Lebeau House and Kitchen X X X X X X Lejeune House X X X X X Lettsworth Bayou Site – Arch. Site # 16PC07 X X X X X X Livonia Indian Mound – Arch. Site # 16PC01 X X X X X X Livonia Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Maison Chenal, laCour House X X X X X New Roads Mardi Gras Parades X X X X X Mix Louisiana Post Office X X X X X Monk's Mound X X X X X X Morganza Marketplace X X X X X Morgazna High School X X X X X Mound Bayou Mound X X X X X New Orleans, Texas, & Mexico Rail Road Spur X X X X X X St. Francisville Ferry Crossing X X X X X New Roads Main Street X X X X X Nina Plantation Site X X X X X X

157

APPENDIXES

Noel Sur la Fausse Riviere X X X X X North Bend Plantation House X X X X X Old Hickory Plantation House X X X X X Old River Locks X X X X X LaCour House X X X X X P.V. Rougon Store Site (structure has been demolished) X X X X X Pointe Coupee Museum on False River Road X X X X X X Site of Torras Railroad Bridge X X X X X X St. Stephen's Episcopal Church X X X X X X St. Francis Chapel on Pointe Coupee Road X X X X X X St. Ann's Catholic Church in Morganza X X X X X St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Roads X X X X X St. Augustine Catholic Church in New Roads X X X X X Area along Pointe Coupee Road on Scott Bend where Original French Settlement was Situated X X X X X X Prof. Planving Grave and site of Pointe Coupée Industrial and High School at Zion Travelers Baptist Church on False River X X X X X X Abandoned Point Prospect Cemetery and Archeological Site in Oscar X X X X X System of Levee Crevasses in Morganza X X X X X Late 19th Century Crevasse at Scott Bend on Mississippi River Levee X X X X X Late 19th Century Frontland Tenant Houses of J.A. Rougon's Austerlitz Pltn. X X X X X Site of Antebellum Steamboat “Constitution” Disaster X X X X X

158 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Site of Melancon's Cafe in Morganza (structure has been demolished) – Location Used During Filming of Easy Rider X X X X X Site of Fort Morganza and Story of Louisiana Native Guard Troops (African- American Union Soldiers) during Civil War X X X X X Site of Red Cross Music Festival X X X X X Satterfield's Motor Company* X X X X X X White Hall Plantation X X X X X Pleasant View Plantation X X X X X River Lake Plantation X X X X X Cotton Gin Sites on Banks of False River X X X X X X Moss Gin Sites X X X X X X Lorio Dairy Structures and Site X X X X X Railroad Bridge over Atchafalaya River in Lettsworth X X X X X X Thom Site Mounds and Borrow Pits (Native American) X X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

159

APPENDIXES

Location: St. Landry Parish Themes Integrity Access Visitor Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Here's the Beef! Cook-off X X X X X Un Celebration de Cajun Culture avec Leur Music X X X X X Academy of Sacred Heart* X X X X X Alexandre Fontenot fils House* X X X X X Annual National Public Lands Day - Indian Bayou Wildlife Management Area X X X X X Annual Neotropical Birding event X X X X X Arlington Plantation House* X X X X X X Atchafalaya Fun Fest X X X X X Battle of Bourbeaux X X X X X

160 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Birthplace of Bayou Teche X X X X X Burleigh House X X X X X Cajun French Music Association Music Festival X X X X X Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum X X X X X Cajun Prairie Preservation Habitat X X X X X Cankton Wagon Festival X X X X X Chretian Point Plantation X X X X X X X Courir de Mardie Gras X X X X X Creole Heritage Folklife Center X X X X X X X Dominique Lalanne Store and Residence* X X X X X X Martin Donato House* X X X X X Edward Benjamin Dubuisson House* X X X X X X Etouffee Festival X X X X X Eunice X X X X X Eunice Depot Museum X X X X X Feu et l'eau Fire & Water X X X X X Frozard Plantation House* X X X X X Grand Coteau Historic District* X X X X X Half Fast Krewe of Franks Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Holy Ghost Creole Festival X X X X X Homeplace* X X X X X Indian Bayou X X X X X John Lewis House* X X X X X X Juneteenth X X X X X X La Table Francaise X X X X X Labyche-Estorge House* X X X X X X LaFleur House* X X X X X

161

APPENDIXES

Lamorandier-Prudhomme-Jackson House* X X X X X Le Vieux Village X X X X X Lebeau Zydeco Festival X X X X X Liberty Theater* X X X X X X Lighting of Le Village X X X X X Long River Lodge & Hunting Club X X X X X X X Louisiana Yambilee X X X X X LSUE Arts Festival X X X X X Magnolia Ridge Plantation and Gardens X X X X X X X Mardi Gras on Mainstreet X X X X X Mardi Gras Show X X X X X Moundville Plantation House* X X X X X Michel Prudhomme House* X X X X X X X Montet House* X X X X X Mouton House* X X X X X X Music and Market Series X X X X X X X Old Federal Building* X X X X X X Opelousas X X X X X Opelousas Historic District* X X X X X Opelousas City Market* X X X X X Opelousas Museum & interpretive Center X X X X X Opelousas Tourist Information X X X X X X X Orphan Train Museum X X X X X X Pecanaire Mardi Gras Run X X (Pirogue and Canoe Race) Tour du Teche X X X Plaisance School* X X X X X Poiret Place* X X X X X X Port Barre Cracklin Festival X X X X X Prairie Acadian Cultural Center X X X X X X

162 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Ray Homestead * X X X X X X Robin House and Barn* X X X X X Sharecropper Day X X X X X X Southwester Louisiana Zydeco Festival X X X X X Spice & Music X X X X X St. Landry Catholic Church* X X X X X X X St. Landry Cemetery Tours X X X X X St. Landry Lumber Company* X X X X X X Starvation Point* X X X X X Steamboat Festival Days X X X X X X X Steamboat Warehouse Restaurant X X X X X Step Outside Day X X X X X Sunken Civil War Boat X X X X Sunset Herb and Garden Celebration X X X X X Sunset High School* X X X X X Teche Kayak and Canoe Trail X X X X X Thistlethewaite X X X X X Venus House* X X X X X X X Vermilion Teche Fresh Water District Pump House X X X X X Washington Historic District* X X X X X Washington Catfish Festival X X X X X Washington Museum and Tourist Center X X X X X X Weir House* X X X X X X White's Chapel United Methodist Church* X X X X X Wood Stork/Wading Bird Event X X X X X World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off X X X X X Zydeco - Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway X X X X X

163

APPENDIXES

Zydeco Music Festival Breakfast X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

164 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: St. Martin Parish Visitor Themes Integrity Access Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Museum of the Acadian Memorial X x x x X Acadian Day of Remembrance - July 28 X x x x X Acadian Memorial Festival and Historic District Promenade X X x x x X Annual Pepper Festival X x x x X Atchafalaya Basin Festival X X x x x X Atchafalaya Basin Gateway X X x x x X Atchafalaya River X X x x x X X Atchafalaya Welcome Center & Cultural Exhibits X X x x x X Bayou Blues Revival X X x x x X

165

APPENDIXES

Bayou Fest Chicken Cook-off X X x x x X Bayou Teche X X X x x x X Bayou Teche Visitor Center X x x x X Beaux bridge historic District X x x x X Beef Tongue Cook-off, Sherman's Bar X X x x x X Blooming on the Bayou X X X Bonin House* X X Breaux Bridge Historic District X x X Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival X x x x X Breaux Bridge Merchants Open House X x x x X Burdin House* X X Butte La Rose Confederate Fort X X Cajun Music in the Swamp X X X Calling All Lovers - Romance Under the Evangeline Oak X x x x X Catahoula Carnival X X X Chariot Parade X x x x X Cracklin Cook-off X X x x x X Creole Zydeco Festival X X x x x X Cycle Zydeco Bike Tour X X x x x X Dautreuil House* X X X Deportation Cross Replica at Acadian Memorial X x x x X Duchamp Opera House and Mercantile X X x x x X Etouffe Festival X x x x X Evangeline Oak Park: Evangeline Oak, Bayou Teche Promenade X X x x x X Evangeline Players X x x x X Fire & Water Celebration - le Feu et L'eau X x x x X

166 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Fontenette - Durand Maison Dimanche* X X Fontennette-Bienvenu House* X X Fourgeaud House* X X Garden Club Memorial Tree at City Hall X x x x X Garden Club Parade of Homes X x x x X Henderson Lake X X x x x X Henderson Mardi Gras Parade X X X Henri Penne House* X x x x X Historic Keystone Locks on Bayou Teche X X x x x X Katie Plantation House* X X La Grande Boucherie des Cajuns X x x x X Lake Martin Bird Rookery X X x x x X Levert-St. John Bridge* X x x x X Lion's Club Children's Carnival X X Longfellow/ Evangeline State Historic Site X X X x x x X X Louisiana Native Plant Garden at Cultural Heritage Center X X x x x X Maison Olivier* X X x x x X Meditation Garden at Acadian Memorial X X x x x X National Day of the Acadians - August 15 X X x x x X Newcomers Mardi Gras Parade X x x x X Okra Festival X X x x x X Old Castillo Hotel* X x x x X Olivier Pigeonnier* X x x x X Opera House X x x x X Parks Bayou Festival X X x x x X Patin House* X X Pellerin-Chauffe House* X X Pine Alley-Durand Plantation X X x x x X

167

APPENDIXES

Ransonet House* X X Rotary Mardi Gras Ball X X x x x X Sandoz House* X X Soulier House* X X St. John Historic Bridge X x x x X St. Lucy Festival of Lights and KC Parade X X x x x X St. Marton De Tours Catholic Church* X X x x x X X St. Martin Historic District* X x x x X St. Martin Parish Courthouse* X x x x X St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center-African American Museum X X x x x X St. Martinville Elementary School* X x x x X X St. Martinville Main Street Program X x x x X X St. Michael Catholic Cemetery X X x x x X Stephanie Plantation House* X X Tour du Teche Paddle Races X X x x x X X US Post Office/ La Maison Duchamp* X x x x X ULL Experimental Farm X x x x X D.W. Voorhies House X X Wild Rabbit Cook-off Sherman's Bar X x x x X Lake Fausse Point Park X X x x x X

National Register of Historic Places*

168 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: St. Mary Parish Visitor Themes Integrity Access Value Resource Type

Resource Name Enthusiast Attraction Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Albania Plantation House* (private) X X X X X Alice B (private) X X X X X Alice Fuselier X X X X X Alice C Plantation House* (private) X X X X X Arlington Plantation House* (private) X X X X X Atchafalaya Culinary & Arts Festival X X X X X Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area X X X X X Atchafalaya Golf Course X X X X X Atkinson Memorial Presbyterian Church* X X X X X Attakapas Island Wildlife Management Area X X X X Basset-Luke House (private) X X X X

169

APPENDIXES

Battle of Irish Bend X X X X X Bayou Teche X X X X X Bayou Teche Bear & Birding Festival X X X X Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge X X X X Bayou Teche Scenic Byway X X X X Biking along Old Spanish Trail X X X X Bittersweet* (private) X X X X Bocage on the Teche (private) X X X X Breva-Domingue House (private) X X X Brownell Memorial Park and Carillon Tower X X X X Burn's Point Boat Launch X X X X Cajun Coast Paddling Trail X X X X Calumet Plantation House* (private) X X X X Chadwick House (private) X X X X Cherrybank (private) X X X X Chitimacha Cultural Museum X X X X Church of the Assumption X X X X Cotton Top (private) X X X X Crawford (private) X X X X X Cypremort (Louisa) X X X X Cypremort Point State Park X X X X Cypress Sawmill Museum Festival X X X X Darby House* (formerly a bank) X X X X Dixie Plantation House* (private) X X X X Dumesnil House (private) X X X X Eagle Expo X X X X Ellersile X X X X Englewood X X X X Florence X X X X

170 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Fort Brashear X X X X Foster - O'Niell House X X X X Frances Plantation (private) X X X X Franklin Historic District* X X X X Franklin Main Street X X X X Garret Plantation X X X X Gates House X X X X Grevemberg House Museum X X X X X Hanson House X X X X Hanson Lumber Company Office* X X X X X Hanson Lumber Company Owners House* X X X X X Heaton House* (private) X X X X Idlewild* (private) X X X X Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Exhibit X X X X International Petroleum Museum & Exposition/Mr. Charlie Oil Rig X X X Joshua B Cary House* (private) X X X Kemper Williams Park and Campground X X X X X Kennedy Hotel (private) X X X X Hilaire Lancon House* X X X X Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival X X X X Louisiana State Museum - Aviation & Cypress X X X X Mardi Gras Parades X X X X Maryland (private) X X X X Morgan City Hall and Courthouse* X X X X Morgan City Historic District and Riverfront* X X X X Morgan City Main Street X X X X Nathan Wooster House X X X X

171

APPENDIXES

Oaklawn Manor* (private) X X X X Olivier-Todd House X X X X Palfrey House X X X X Power Boat Races X X X X Rugby X X X X Sacred Heart Catholic Church X X X X X Sager Brown School X X X X Schwartz House (private) X X X X Shadowlawn X X X X Shakespeare Allen House (private) X X X X Southwest Reef Lighthouse* X X X X St. Mary Loop Birding Trail X X X X St. Mary's Episcopal Church* X X X X St. Stephen's Catholic Church X X X X Susie (private) X X X X Teche Theater for the Performing Arts X X X X The Fairfax House Bed and Breakfast X X X X The Great Wall X X X X The Prevost House Bed and Breakfast X X X X Three Oaks (private) X X X X Trinity Episcopal Church X X X X Trowbridge House (owned by church) X X X X X Union Encampment X X X X X United Methodist Church X X X X United State Post Office - Morgan City* X X X X United States Post Office - Franklin X X X X Vacherie (private) X X X X X Young Sanders Center for Study of the War Between the States X X X X

172 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Bayou Teche Scenic Byway X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

173

APPENDIXES

Location: Terrebonne Parish Themes Integrity Access Visitor Value Resource Type

Resource Name Specialist Attraction Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street Historic Event Cultural landscapes National Forest / Grassland Museums National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Area State Park / State Forest State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Adaptation and Survival Identity Through a Cultural Blend of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Largely Intact Some What Intact Not Intact Easy to Reach Challenging to Reach Difficult to Reach Broad Attraction Enthusiast Attraction Ardoyne Plantation House* X X X X Argyle* X X X X X Armitage* X X X X X Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum X X X X X Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet - Chauvin X X X x X Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet - Dulac X x X X X Once Upon a Cajun Christmas Parade X X X X X Clifford Percival Smith House* X X X X X Herman Albert Cook House* X X

174 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Ducros Plantation House* X X X X X Gibson Methodist Episcopal Church* X X X X X Houma X X Houma Historic District* and Walking Tour X X X X X Isle Dernieres X X X X Krewe of Bayou Petit Caillou Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Hercules Festival on the Bayou and Fishing Rodeo X X X X X Magnolia* X X X X X Mardi Gras Parades X X X X X Southdown Marketplace X X X X X Montegut School* X X X X X Orange Grove Plantation House* X X X X X Palmer Store* X X X X X Residence Plantation* X X X X X Southdown Plantation House X X X X X St. Ann Knights of Columbus Annual Fishing Rodeo X X X X X St. George Plantation House* X X X X X St. Matthew's Episcopal Church X X X Terrebonne Livestock and Agriculture Fair & Rodeo X X X X X Terrebonne Sportsman League Fishing Rodeo X X X X X Wetlands Cultural Scenic Byway X X X X X Voice of the Wetland Festival X X X X X Swamp Cruises and Tours X X X X X

175

APPENDIXES

America's Wetland Birding Trail X X X X X Chauvin Sculpture Garden X X X X LUMCON Exhibits X X X X X Regional Military Museum X X X X Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center X X X X Terrebonne Parish Library Genealogy Dept. X X X X Charter Fishing X X X X Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge Nature Trail X X X X X Pointe aux Chenes State Wildlife Management Area X X X X X Barrataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program X X X X Wildlife Gardens X XX X X X Greenwood Alligator Farm X X X X X Cajun Dining and Music X X X X X Terrebonne Parish Livestock Show and Sale X X X X X Krewe of Hercules Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Aquarius Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Hyacinthians Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Titans Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Aphrodite Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Mardi Gras Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X

176 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Krewe of Terreanians Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Montegut Children's Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Cleopatra Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Houmas Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Kajuns Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Krewe of Bonne Terre Mardi Gras Parade X X X X X Ladybug Ball and Children's Festival X X X X X 5k Run and Walk and Cajun Food and Fun Festival X X X X X Krewe of Houmas Invitational Saltwater Fishing Rodeo X X X X X Independence Day Parade and Celebration X X X X X Just Kids at Art X X X X X Bayou Dularge KC Fishing Rodeo and Festival X X X X X Grace Lutheran Fall Fest X X X X X TARC Holiday Open House X X X X X Ala Bayou Terrebonne Christmas Boat Parade X X X X X Picou Cemetery Historical Marker / Indian Chief X X X X X New Mount Zion Baptist Church X X X X St. Francis de Sales Cathedral X X X X X Canoe 2 X X X X X Hammonds Cajun Air Tours X X X X

177

APPENDIXES

Downtown Art Gallery X X X X Black Star Ranch X X X X X Veteran's Memorial Park X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

178 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Location: West Baton Rouge Parish Themes Integrity Access Visitor Value Resource Type Museums Not Intact Largely Intact Easy to Reach Historic Event Recreation Area Broad Attraction Difficult to Reach Some What Intact Cultural landscapes Specialist Attraction Challenging to Reach Enthusiast Attraction Adaptation and Survival State Park / State Forest National Wildlife Refuge National Forest / Grassland Historic / Archaeological Site Historic District / Main Street State Wildlife Refuge / Mgt. Area Identity Through a Cultural Blend Influence of the Water on Land Influence the & the People Resource Name Addis Bank at the Addis Museum X X X X X X Aillet House X X X X X X Allendale Plantation Historic District X X X X X Antioch Missionary Baptist Church X X X X X Antonio Plantation House X X X X X Arbroth Mercantile Plantation Store X X X X X Back Brusly Oak Tree X X X X X Brusly High School X X X X X

179

APPENDIXES

Brusly Middle School Gym X X X X X Calumet Plantation X X X X X Carruth Camp and Hiking Trails X X X X X Charles P Adams Historic Marker X X X X X Cinclare Sugar Mill Historic District X X X X X Cohn High School X X X X X Herbert House X X X X X Heroes Plaza X X X X X X Intracoastal Waterway X X X X X X Lagniappe Dulcimer Fete X X X X X Lukeville School X X X X X Mardi Gras Parade in Addis X X X X X Mardi Gras Parade in Port Allen X X X X X Medora Indian Mounds X X X X X Monte Vista Plantation House X X X X X Morrisonville Historic Marker X X X X X Mt. Olive Baptist Church X X X X Mulatto Bend Cemetery X X X X Old Ferry Landing X X X X X Poplar Grove Plantation and House X X X X X Port Allen High School X X X X X Port Allen Lock X X X X X Port of Greater Baton Rouge X X X X X River Road X X X X X Rosedale Road X X X X X Sandbar Plantation House X X X X X Scott Cemetery X X X X X

180 Appendix B: Resource Theme Matrix

Smithfield Plantation House X X X X X St. Delphine Plantation Site X X X X X St. James Square and Molaisonville X X X X X St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and Cemetery X X X X X Sugar Fest X X X X X X Sunrise Community Historic Marker X X X X X The Depot X X X X X Third Parish Courthouse X X X X Town of Brusly Memorial Plaza X X X X X Western Baton Rouge Museum X X X X X West Baton Rouge Parish Fair X X X X X

National Register of Historic Places*

181

APPENDIXES

182 As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.

Front cover photo credit: Louisiana Office of Tourism NPS ABF/P77/107232 SEPTEMBER 2011

Printed on recycled paper Atchafalaya National Heritage Area COMMISSION REVIEW- October 1, 2010

Vol. I SEPTEMBER 2011 Environmental Assessment Management Plan

Note: This is a low resolution file of the painting, “Hope” to show artwork and placement. Artwork will be credited to Melissa Bonin, on inside front cover.

AtchafalayaAtchafalaya NationalNational HeritageHeritage AreaArea MANAGEMENT PLAN / ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SEPT DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN / ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2011