10/15/2009
Contract work for the removal of ice storm debris on the Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA will likely be delayed due to high water levels resulting from last week’s heavy rains. Contractors should be able to clean-up access areas currently unaffected by the high water in a week or so and progress into the lower elevation areas once the high waters recede. Depending on additional rain events, some of the low-lying areas and boat trails may not be cleaned-up until next summer. The area staff will direct the clean-up efforts and open as much of the pubic access as possible prior to waterfowl season.

On Monday, October 19, water control structures will be regulated to commence routine annual flooding of the area for waterfowl season. The South Oliver Tract main outlet structure will be closed early next week to start the flood-up process. All other water control structures will be boarded-up as the water recedes. Barring any additional significant rain events which might further delay the board-up process, all structures are expected to be closed by Nov. 1.

Area users are reminded that even though access areas may be cleaned up, the rest of the area may contain hazardous trees and limbs for quite some time. Everyone is encouraged to look up frequently while walking through the woods and to not sit or stand under trees with hanging limbs to reduce potential injury. Leaning trees are also a hazard and should be avoided.  

09/30/2009
As of Monday, October 12, the AGFC is finalizing a contract to clear the ice storm debris from eligible public access areas on Earl Buss Bayou DeView. A strong attempt to clean up all access roads, trails, boat lanes and fire lanes is estimated to start the week of October 19, 2009, with a contract to complete all work within 30 days of the initial starting day. Plans have been developed to clean up ice storm debris with four crews running simultaneously.

The Thompson and South Oliver Tracts are of highest priority to clean up as they are traditionally flooded and impounded for wintering waterfowl habitat and public duck hunting opportunity. In order to successfully complete clean-up of all public accesses and restore them back to a safe, usable condition, a delay in flooding/holding water may be necessary. The AGFC, based on current water conditions, will not attempt to capture the flood water from the recent rain event that occurred on October 9. Contractors should be able to clean up access areas that are currently unaffected by the high water and work into the lower elevation areas once the high waters recede and they become available. The AGFC anticipates all water control structures will be boarded up and the Thompson pump started immediately after the clean-up has been completed within these GTRs. The AGFC will re-evaluate their work plan and course of action based on further significant rain events and changes in water levels in an effort to balance the need for providing safe access to the area with the responsibility to provide wintering waterfowl habitat and public hunting opportunities. Area users are reminded that even though access areas may be cleaned up, the rest of the area may contain hazardous trees and limbs for quite some time. Everyone is encouraged to look up frequently while walking through the woods and to not sit or stand under trees with hanging limbs to reduce potential injury.  

This map shows the areas designated by FEMA that are eligible for clean-up assistance. Contractor crews are expected to begin work on the area around mid-October. No hunting seasons will be closed. 

Click on the image to open a PDF copy of the map.