Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement - Phase IX
Funding provided through this appropriation enhanced 5,024 acres of wetland habitat. Eight wetland and shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,643 acres of wetland. Cattail spraying using a helicopter outfitted with an OHF-purchased spray unit and impacted impacted 1,762 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,619 acres of wetland. Finally, survey and design work was initiated on four projects to prepare for future construction.
ML2016 Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement Phase 8 entailed multiple components.
* Engineering and Construction and Shallow Lake/Wetland Infrastructure Projects - Eight individual projects were undertaken with funding from this appropriation. One project, Moose/Willow in Aitkin County, entailed extensive cleanout of an outlet channels, plus a new water control structure leading to better water level management. Downstream channel work is necessary outlets become clogged with sediment and vegetation and water levels in shallow lakes become abnormally high. Specialized equipment known as a Cookie Cutter removed accumulated sediments and other obstructions to surveyed levels. The shallow lake returned to a lower levels with resulting habitat benefits. Seven projects - Plum Creek (Murray County), Gopher Ridge (Kandiyohi County), Sedan Pond (Pope County), Bradshaw Lake (Scott County), Rum River and Jones Pool (both at Mille Lacs WMA, Mille Lacs County), and Amiret WMA (Lyon County) - were completed and involved engineering and construction of wetland/shallow lake infrastructure such as dikes and water control structures. In all of these projects, engineering was done in-house (i.e. DNR engineers) and private contractors were used for the construction. Finally, four infrastructure projects were engineered only, with construction planned for the future. Doing this initial engineering allows us to determine project feasibility, identify construction obstacles, and obtain accurate cost estimates for materials and construction. These engineering-only projects were accomplished with in-house (i.e., DNR) engineers.
*Cattail Spraying - A DNR helicopter has been equipped with an OHF-funded spray unit and avionics to allow it to spray invasive cattails - one of the most significant problems that impact wetlands statewide. Utilizing this helicopter, in conjunction with Roving Habitat Crew members working as ground support, significant acres of invasive cattail can be sprayed annually. Funding from this appropriation was used to purchase herbicide and pay helicopter expenses. 1,762 acres were enhanced. This operation is highly coordinated with project solicitation in late winter. Activities that have to occur before actual spraying occurs include landing site selection and mowing, ground crew (i.e. roving habitat crew members) training, herbicide purchase, coordination with DNR Law Enforcement (who have oversight of the helicopter and for whom the pilot works), permit applications, and public notice publication.
* Roving Habitat Crews - Roving Habitat Crews are teams of DNR staff who are equipped and trained to perform habitat enhancement projects on public lands. Funding from this appropriation was provided to the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew to enable it to perform wetland enhancement activities through the addition of two roving crew members and their associated costs for three fiscal years (FY18-FY20). Typical wetland enhancement activities undertaken by Roving Habitat Crews include prescribed burns of wetlands, removal of invasive species and trees from wetlands, and support of shallow lake drawdowns.
$1,755,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat statewide. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
A statewide review of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) found that wetlands are one of the three habitat types (along with prairies and rivers) most used by these species. The 5,000 acres of wetland enhancement will provide wetland management actions identified to support SGCN, including reversal of wetland degradation and control of invasives. In the Minnesota County Biological Survey description of the marsh community, special attention is given to two issues faced in Minnesota marshes - stable high water levels that reduce species diversity, often to a point at which a monotypic system evolves, and the "invasion of marshes by the non-native species narrow-leaved cattail" and its hybrids. Both of these issues were directly addressed by the major cattail control activities involving the Roving Habitat Crew, along with water level management undertaken through channel cleanouts or that will now be possible through because of newly installed wetland infrastructure projects.
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