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Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom. Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry our successes and zest for living to future generations.

Save Our Wetlands Board of Director’s Resolution of June 12, 2004

Whereas SOWL’s position since 1974 through various lawsuits and letters has been:

  1. That the entire 5,200 acre tract on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain now known as the Eden Isle, Oak Harbor and Lakeshore Estates/Village Subdivisions has been illegally drained, diked and dammed in violation of Rivers and Harbors Act and other state and federal laws.

  2. That this area is low lying and extremely susceptible to hurricane tidal surges and is in fact all in a hurricane tidal surge pathway.

  3. That this area has been and now the proposed 2 billion mega city known as Lakeshore Estates/Village Planned United development is being pushed by politicians like the St. Tammany Parish Council, Governor Kathleen Blanco, La. DEQ, Council President Kevin Davis, and other politicians probably receiving campaign contributions from agents of Tammany Holding Corporation.

  4. That the present developer of Oak Harbor and the proposed Lakeshore Estates/Village Tammany Holding Corp. had to pay fines of over $330,000 for violating the Clean Water Act for doing illegal and criminal diking, damming and draining of this area.

Be it resolved...

The SOWL executive attorney is ordered and directed to write letters on behalf of SOWL to various congressional committee as contained in the following attached letters:

  1. June 6, 2004 letter to U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
  2. June 8, 2004 letter to Senate and House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  3. June 9, 2004 letter to U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  4. June 12, 2004 letter to all 3 above committees.
  5. June 12, 2004 letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The SOWL executive attorney's and Arthur Leman IV are ordered to file suit against Colonel Peter J. Rowan in U.S. District Court, New Orleans, La. contesting issuance of permit to Tammany Holding Corp. for proposed Lakeshore Estates/Village project.

Ken Stewart is ordered to file suit against La. DEQ contesting issuance of water quality certification to Tammany Holding Corp. Suit will be filed in 19th Judicial District Court, Baton Rouge, La.

Matthew Derieg is ordered to file suit in 22nd Judicial District Court, in Covington, La., contesting issuance by St. Tammany Parish Council of zoning permits to Tammany Holding Corporation for proposed Lakeshore Estates/Village projects. Matthew Derieg is free to associate other attorneys on this lawsuit.

As per prior resolutions, SOWL directs SOWL's executive attorney to act in all manners on behalf of SOWL and such letters and correspondence by SOWL's executive attorney become the official position of Save Our Wetlands Inc. and SOWL as a corporate entity takes all and full responsibility for such actions and correspondence by SOWL's executive attorney.

Save Our Wetlands, Inc. SOWL

___________________________
President

___________________________
Vice President

___________________________
Secty. Treasurer

Signed this________day of _____________, 2004 New Orleans, La.

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