Today, Representative Gisclair, Mayor Camardelle of Grand Isle and others witnessed LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet sign an agreement for the Grand Isle Independent Levee District (GIILD) to operate and manage the Grand Isle Airport at Elmer’s Island.
This agreement, between Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Grand Isle Independent Levee District (GIILD), would include the development of an aircraft hangar, an aircraft ramp and tie down, fuel tanks, fueling area as well as an area for a terminal building. “We expect that this airstrip will allow for enhanced public use and recreational activities on the Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge,” stated Governor Edwards.
LDWF conducts inshore and offshore research projects that are vital to the assessment of our oyster and fishery resources in nearby Grand Isle, Louisiana. “In addition to increasing recreational access to the Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge and the Elmer’s Island Management Area, this airstrip will provide our agency easier access to our fisheries research lab and oyster hatchery,” said Jack Montoucet, LDWF Secretary.
This airstrip will improve access for out-of-state tourists to Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island, Grand Isle. “The Elmer’ Island Airstrip is an airstrip that historically serviced Grand Isle for many years. Now that the airstrip is public owned and locally operated, we have the opportunity to rebuild it into an airstrip that we can all be proud of,” said Mayor Camardelle. “The economic, recreational and public safety benefits associated with this airstrip are tremendous.”