HCP VI Supplemental - Bluffland Restoration - 2p
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS
This project was part of a long-term bluffland restoration effort by DNR, National Wild Turkey Federation, and private landowners in SE MN. Funds from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund were used to hire contractors to remove Eastern red cedar, buckthorn, honeysuckle, and prickly ash that was growing over former "goat prairies". The project focused primarily on improving habitat for the timber rattlesnake, three other at-risk snake species (racer, bullsnake, and hognose snake) and numerous at-risk plant species in the Bluffland subsection.
Goat prairies are native prairies found on steep south-facing hills in southeastern Minnesota. They are important to wildlife because the wind prevents deep snowpack, and intense sunlight melts much of what does stick. Animals can then rest and forage on the exposed sites. Nearby rock bluffs hold snakes, which forage in the prairies in summer. These prairies were historically maintained by periodic wildfire, but fire prevention has allowed native red cedar and non-native brushy species to encroach on them. These need to be removed to restore the native habitat. Restoring vegetation through these methods also reduces soil loss and improves water quality within the watershed.
During this grant period we treated 29.2 acres of habitat on private lands by hand cutting the invasive overstory. Stumps were treated with herbicides to prevent re-sprouting. Cut material was piled and burned on-site. A ten-year agreement was required from the landowners before any work began. The level of brush infestation, location and access impacted the contract price, which in turn led to lower than anticipated accomplishment acreage. The treatment area was 28 acres rather than the anticipated "up to 45 acres" as indicated in the initial plan. A second site was added later and an additional 1.2 acres treated. Periodic prescribed burning will be conducted by DNR (non-Trust-Fund monies) and will maintain the site in the desired habitat state.
PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION
Accomplishment Reports and press releases will be made available at http://www.mnhabitatcorridors.org.
$1,344,000 is added to Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), from the trust fund for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $308,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $1,036,000 is for agreements as follows: $425,000 with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; $50,000 with National Wild Turkey Federation; $164,000 with the Nature Conservancy; $102,000 with Minnesota Land Trust; $200,000 with the Trust for Public Land; $45,000 with Friends of Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District; and $50,000 to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to plan, restore, and acquire fragmented landscape corridors that connect areas of quality habitat to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants. The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service is an authorized cooperating partner in the appropriation. Expenditures are limited to the project corridor areas as defined in the work program. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum habitat and facility management standards as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program. All funding for conservation easements must include a long-term stewardship plan and funding for monitoring and enforcing the agreement.
Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".
Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".