Thomas J. Hess, Jr.

Schlumburger Geco-Prakla (SGP) conducted seismic operations in St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes of Louisiana, between October 1997 and March 1998. This area is located on the marsh-swamp interface and contains approximately 40% of the state's nesting bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service used spatial buffer zones with a 460-m radius to protect all eagle nests located on properties of the SGP seismic operations. Bald eagle production during seismic operations (1998) was compared to the previous...

Hurricane Andrew, a Class 3 storm, entered St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, on 26 August 1992. Sixty-one (59%) of the state's bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest territories were within the storm path, and, following the hurricane, 18 of these were classified as destroyed. Aerial nest survey data for 4 nesting seasons (1990-1994) were used to evaluate the effect of Hurricane Andrew on bald eagle reproductive success in Louisiana. Mean annual production per active territory was 1.40 (range 1.20-1.66) and per successful nest was 1.66 (range 1.45-1.85). Productivity (young/active territory...

From January 1973 to September 1974, a study was conducted at Rockefeller Rehlge, Grand Chenier, Louisiana to determine the effects of irrigating Scirpus olneyi with various concentrations of salt water during drought periods. Scirpus olneyi was established in 12 one-tenth-acre impoundments and subjected to 6 water level and salinity treatments. Drying ponds for 1 and 3 months before the treatments were initiated had no measurable effects on culm density. The 20 ppl salinity treatments reduced culm density, but the 10 ppt salinity treatments and wet and dry controls had little or no effect...