I recently learned that the Louisiana State Land Office is facing the possibility of a significant reduction in budget and personnel. State Land Office personnel have been directed to report on how that office would be impacted if its work force and budget were reduced by 50%.

The State Land Office includes the following sections:

             Historical Records (Bobbie Freyou)

            Title and Survey (John Evans)

            Lands and Waterbottoms Management (Clay Carter, Sonya Boudreaux)

 I, like most landmen, deal with all of these sections on a regular basis. The Historical Records Section handles severance information, records of tax adjudications, etc. The Title and Survey Section determines what lands and waterbottoms are claimed by the State, issues no-claims letters, etc. The Land and Waterbottoms Management Section grants pipeline rights-of-way, surface/subsurface servitudes, etc. on State-owned lands and waterbottoms.

The State Land Office employs a total of 24 people, including field personnel. It is funded entirely by self-generated revenues derived from the granting of camp leases, rights-of-way, etc.; excess revenues are routinely turned over to the State’s general fund and other sections within the Division of Administration. I believe that any reduction in personnel or budget which is imposed on the State Land Office would have a significant detrimental impact on me and all Louisiana landmen.

The purpose of this email is to request that, if you feel as I do, you write a letter stating your opposition to budget and personnel reductions for the State Land Office and the reasons for that opposition. If possible, all letters should be mailed by this Friday, August 14, and should be addressed as follows:

             Mr. Charles R. St. Romain

            Public Lands Administrator

            State Land Office

             P.O. Box 44124

            Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4124

                         or (overnight only)

             1201 N. Third Street, Suite G-150

            Baton Rouge, LA 70802

 Charlie St. Roman, Bobby Freyou, John Evans, Clay Carter, Sonya Boudreaux…these guys have been there for us for decades; we now have an opportunity to let them know we appreciate it.

 Please circulate this email to any Louisiana landmen you think may be impacted by this issue. I appreciate your help.

 Best regards,

Durelle L. Allen, Jr.

Allen & Kirmse, Ltd.

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