Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase IX

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,500,000
Fund Source
Outdoor Heritage Fund
Recipient
Pheasants Forever
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2017
End Date
August 2023
Activity Type
Land Acquisition
Counties Affected
Becker
Big Stone
Blue Earth
Carver
Clay
Kandiyohi
Otter Tail
Renville
Swift
Becker
Big Stone
Blue Earth
Carver
Clay
Kandiyohi
Otter Tail
Renville
Swift
Project Overview

The goal of this phase of the WPA acquisition program was to protect a total of 760 acres of grassland, wetland and other wildlife habitats as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever purchased 11 parcels totaling 1,310 acres of wetlands and grasslands in Minnesota?s prairie region. In addition to exceeding our acre goals, $28,152.10 of grant funds will be returned.

About the Issue

Conversion of grasslands and wetlands for other uses have not only contributed to many native species population declines, but also impacted water quality, groundwater recharge cycles, and natural flood cycles. Permanent acquisition and restoration of grasslands and wetlands is one of the major tools we have for reversing this trend. This phase of the WPA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,310.61 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WPA?s managed by the USFWS.
Pheasants Forever and USFWS staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel?s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools developed by the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET). These tools utilize Thunderstorm Maps to predict productivity of breeding waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife species for the potential parcel and surrounding area. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WPA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation.
Pheasants Forever notified counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located. Additionally, the USFWS will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties.
Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ?plugs? and/or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors but we did not face any major issues.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(a)
Appropriation Language

$5,500,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,500,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$5,793,700
Direct expenses
$5,463,600
Administration costs
$8,200
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.13
Measurable Outcome(s)

The majority of the acquisitions in this program are located in the Prairie Pothole Region which is not only the richest wetland system on earth but also produces approximately one-third of the continents waterfowl population. In addition to supporting waterfowl, this region supports numerous grassland and wetland dependent wildlife species, many of which are experiencing severe population declines due to habitat loss. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant. Additionally SGCN and T/E were considered when the parcels were evaluated for acquisition. Parcels with these species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. Species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
A total of 1,310 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 1,310 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.
Source of Additional Funds

Federal, Federal, Private, PF, PF and Private attorney

Project Manager
First Name
Sabin
Last Name
Adams
Organization Name
Pheasants Forever
Street Address
14241 Steves Rd SE Box 91
City
Osakis
State
MN
Zip Code
56360
Phone
(320) 236-7755
Email
sadams@pheasantsforever.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency