By Rita Shirley LeBleu
The oil and gas industry played a part in the erosion of the Louisiana coastline. Phillip “Scooter” Trosclair III, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Manager is banking on the oil and gas industry to help build it back – and keep the vital coastline and habitat protection work of the refuge going.
“Right now, it’s tough,” Trosclair said. “I’m trying to move in a drilling rig to drill seven wells. This hasn’t occurred in 30 years.”
The industry has changed in the last 30 years. In addition to directional drilling, overall technology has improved to minimize wetland impact.
But that’s not the whole story. At Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, gas and water have always mixed.
Few people realize that the refuge is responsible for generating its own income. Most of that money has come from oil and gas. But five years ago, that well was running dry. The situation was dire.
That’s when Trosclair looked at historical logs, picked a field – as a state agency he can submit to the mineral board. He submitted two tracts. A company picked them up.
Permitting has been a challenge. Trosclair understands the process. And there is progress. The Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge began working with the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy June 1, 2025. The original plans are being modified, and the refuge hopes to have authorization within the next few months.
“It’s a race against time, and so we gotta do what we can a little at a time to get it done before you can’t,” he said, adding, “I’ve always said we can protect it for millions of dollars but it’s going to take billions to replace it.”
When it was established the Refuge was 86,000 acres. Now it is down to 71,000 acres. Fifty to 100 feet of marsh is lost annually, with some areas losing up to 300 feet, Trosclair said. I give it seven years and the Gulf will be up to the highway.
When the Rockefeller Foundation donated the land to Louisiana in the early 1900s, the deed stated that any mineral revenues from the refuge must first pay for maintaining and managing the property.
Over the years, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge received mineral royalties and lease collections depending on production trends.
Revenues have funded research that have contributed to the discovery and development of innovative techniques for managing Louisiana’s natural resources, including the American alligator, whooping crane and bald eagle.
Oil and gas revenues have supported the creation and maintenance of public recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
“Over the years, these revenues have played a critical role in supporting the maintenance and management of the refuge,” Trosclair said, adding that past managers maximized this revenue through careful planning and resource management.
Without another reliable source of revenue, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge remains highly dependent on the oil and gas industry to sustain essential operations including management, research, habitat restoration and the protection of valued coastal landscape.
“Continued oil and gas revenue is therefore an important component of ensuring that the refuge can fulfill its conservation, research and public-use missions for generations to come,” Trosclair said.