House Concurrent Resolution No. 86 expresses the Louisiana Legislature's support for Senator John N. Kennedy's request to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to conduct a formal study on the impact of land use changes and habitat loss on migratory waterfowl in the Mississippi Flyway. The resolution highlights the significant decline in Louisiana's wintering mallard population, which dropped from approximately 800,000 in 1999 to 300,000 in 2018, marking the largest decline among the fourteen states in the Flyway. This decline is attributed to factors such as wetland loss and changes in land use, which have also led to a dramatic decrease in the annual mallard harvest in Louisiana.

The resolution emphasizes the importance of understanding the behavior, habitat, and winter distribution patterns of migratory waterfowl, as well as the associated economic impacts. It calls for the USFWS to investigate these variables to help improve habitat conditions and increase the number of wintering waterfowl in Louisiana. The Louisiana Legislature aims to support conservation efforts and address the challenges faced by waterfowl hunters and wildlife habitat programs in the region. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the director of the USFWS to ensure the request is formally acknowledged.