Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program - Phase XIII
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) is seeking funding for the Habitat Restoration Program to restore and protect 104 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, streambank habitat will be enhanced, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat, and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture. These projects are critical for the benefit of fish, waterfowl, and wildlife populations, reversing the trend of wetland loss and habitat degradation in the prairie ecoregion.
The SRRWD created the Habitat Restoration Program to restore, protect, and enhance degraded habitat conditions by implementing projects on a lake-shed basis. Specifically, Phase XIII will contribute to the District's goals by:
-Habitat restoration on 20 acres of streambanks to improve floodplain connectivity and over-winter open water conditions, to prevent further sedimentation into the watercourse and to improve public access and benefit BIPOC communities.
-Acquire 42 acres from a willing landowner to expand an adjacent WMA.
-Wetland enhancement in the Panicum Prairie WMA, an important flyway that is critical to waterfowl, upland game, and wading bird species that is currently dominated by a single species canary grass.
-Restore 42 acres of wetland basins, reversing the trend of wetland loss and habitat degradation while improving nesting habitat and waterfowl food sources.
This proposal uses a programmatic approach to achieve protection, restoration, and enhancement of lakes, wetlands, streams and native prairie landscapes. The program includes projects that are prioritized on the significance of the benefits to aquatic habitat, urgency of the work, availability of leveraged funds, location of projects and agreements with relevant planning documents. All projects listed above have landowner support, who are eager to get funding. The SRRWD has a proven track record with the LSOHC and implementing projects that protect, restore and enhance natural resources. The SRRWD continues to receive strong support for these projects from landowners, local governments and sporting organizations.
The program outcomes will also interconnect and reestablish important flyway habitats within Minnesota. Once completed, the program will increase waterfowl and fish populations, increase habitat for wetland dependent wildlife, and recreate the wildlife mecca in southern Minnesota. Finally, this program will preserve an outdoor legacy for Minnesotans to use and enjoy for generations.
$2,060,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed.
Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Outcomes will be measured by evaluating the number of waterfowl use-day surveys, pheasant roadside surveys, and angler success. This will be measured against the MN Conservation Plan to track goals
City of Albert Lea